New Book Alerts

For several years now, you’ve been able to do some of your library business from home. Reserve and renew materials, browse the catalog, or email a reference librarian. But I’ve always thought our online catalogs look a little bit like jazzed up cards from the old card catalog, brought to you on a screen. And while we have created lists of new materials, the most interesting way to browse what’s new on the shelves seemed to be by visiting the library. Of course, if something was checked out when you visited, you didn’t know the library owned it. Or if may not have been convenient to come to the library when you had time to browse.

Both Waterloo and Cedar Falls Public Libraries now subscribe to “New Book Alerts,” available from our websites. Click here, and you’ll see a more interesting interface that allows you to browse what’s new with fewer clicks, and more information. You can browse from your computer, phone, any device that allows you to be online. Different tabs will show you covers and detailed descriptions of new titles that we’ve received. Not only books, but movies, audio books and music CDs, too. A “Categories” tab provides you with subject lists, like Romance, Crafts & Hobbies, Children’s Books, Teens and Foreign Languages. You can check the lists when you’re in the mood to browse, or sign up for an RSS feed or newsletter version.

Click on a title, and see reviews written by readers like you, and add your own. From these pages, you’re just a few clicks away from reserving your choices online so we can notify you when your book is ready for you.

How is this different from browsing Amazon, GoodReads or similar websites? Titles don’t appear on “New Book Alerts” until the library owns them. You don’t have to go from another website to the library’s, because you’re really already there. Be sure and check out this new service.