Would you like to find books to read just like a librarian would? This is how librarians find books to recommend for leisure reading.
The New York Times Best Sellers lists are a great way to find a variety of books from different genres that are popular among readers right now. When you select a list, you will see 15 books that are ranked by which one sold the most copies in the previous week. The list will also show the title, author, cover image, a brief synopsis, and how long it has been on the best seller list.
Gooodreads is a database for books with a social media component. Logged in users can save books to various lists, track what they're currently reading, join groups for different genres, follow their favorite authors, and more. If you are looking for books that are similar to ones you already know and love, Goodreads is a great way to find related recommendations.
There are many awards out there for leisure reading of different genres. Browsing the winners of these awards is a great way to find critically-acclaimed leisure reading. Here are a few awards that may be of interest.
Librarians love recommending leisure reading books to readers and will often ask other librarians for recommendations themselves. You can reach a librarian by phone, chat, or in-person for recommendations. The Library also regularly has recommended leisure reading books on display that you are welcome to check out.
Once you've found what you would like to read, you'll want to know how to find a physical copy at the Wolfgram Memorial Library. If you are interested in an eBook version, scroll down to the next section of this guide.
First, you will want to search our online catalog at https://widener.locate.ebsco.com/search. The search bar will default to "Keyword" where you can search either the title or the author. You can also use the drop down to search specifically by title, author, ISBN, and more.
After you type in your search, ensure that the book is available at the Chester campus by filtering the item location. Select "Location" in the left hand sidebar and select any location with the word "Wolfgram." (Alternatively, if you would like to visit a different Widener campus, you may skip this step.)
Once you search your terms, you will receive one of three options for your results.
After you've found the book or books you are looking for, the page will present you with a location and a call number to find them on the shelves.
If you need assistance locating a book within the Library, please visit the Library Information Desk. A staff member would be happy to assist you.
Searching eBooks through the Library's digital collection has a slightly different process than searching physical books. First, visit the Wolfgram Memorial Library's website. Then, scroll down until you find the "Start Your Search" box. You can also use the box below.
Before you start your search, make sure to select the "Ebooks" checkbox. This will filter your search results to make sure they don't include other information such as book reviews or Interlibrary Loan recommendations. You can then type in your search or specify that you would like to search by title or author with the drop down next to the search box.
Once you've found your eBook, you will then see a Full Text option, depending on the source of the book. The exact language of the link may vary. Click the link to visit the book's page and to choose your viewing experience.
For specific eBook recommendations and for more tips on searching the collection, visit our Wolfgram eBooks Collection LibGuide.