Fairfield Public Library expands online resources

The Fairfield Iowa Public Library (FPL) has some exciting new developments. “We are offering three new resources,” says Director Alecs Schmidt-Mickunas. The first resource is a product from EBSCO called NoveList Plus. A trusted database that has been helping libraries make great reading recommendations for over three decades, NoveList Plus functions as a reader's advisory tool. Library patrons with a current library card can look up any book using this database, and it will share book reviews and media mentions — whether the New York Times, USA Today, or some other media outlet, mentioned it in an article, or published a review. NoveList Plus will provide a summary, help categorize the book, and suggest similar titles and similar authors.

“It helps people find the kinds of books they like,” Schmidt-Mickunas says, adding, “It's a stand-alone electronic resource that can be accessed from our website, and is integrated with our catalog. If you look in our catalog at a particular item, you'll be able to see all of those extra details provided by NoveList Plus.”

The second new resource at FPL is a digital resource called Comics Plus, which allows patrons to read comics, manga and graphic novels online — similarly to web comic platforms like ComiXology, WebToons and Tapas, but exclusively available through school, public, and academic libraries. “It's pretty amazing,” says Schmidt-Mickunas, “because the vendor has made agreements with some really impressive, illustrious manga publishers like Kodansha and TokyoPop.” Comics Plus provides access to over 20,000 titles at any given time, with three different log in options. The Comics Plus Children’s Library login is for kids age 3—10, the Comics Plus Teen Library login is for teens age 10—18, and the Comics Plus Adult Readers & All Access login offers access to all age ranges, from emergent readers, all the way through adult comics. “We're really excited about this Comics Plus resource,” Schmidt-Mickunas says, “because content is available on demand, there’s no limit to downloads, and it's not pay per use, so the library just pays one flat fee every year, and then the community gets to just use it as much as they like.” No holds are required. All titles are available 24/7 for online and offline reading. Patrons with a current library card will need an internet connection to browse the collection and check out titles — downloaded titles are accessible offline via the LibraryPass app for iOS or Android.

The third new resource at FPL is a grant writing resource called Iowa GrantWatch, which will be replacing a similar resource that had been funded through the Institute for Museum and Library Services. “Iowa GrantWatch is going to be something to support the nonprofits in the community, now that we can no longer provide access to the Foundation Online Directory,” Schmidt-Mickunas explains. Iowa GrantWatch is available in the library, either on FPL computers, or through the library's Wi-Fi, to patrons with a current library card.

Iowa GrantWatch, Comics Plus and NoveList Plus are funded as part of FPL’s materials budget, provided by the Library Foundation. The funding for Comics Plus comes specifically from the library book sale proceeds. Schmidt-Mickunas wants to make it clear that the cost of these new digital resources “isn't taking away from the physical purchases we make. It's special funding that's allocated just for digital resources. These are all funds that have been given generously to us by donors over the years, and the Library Foundation is able to invest these funds and really make the most of them.” He recommends that anyone wanting to support FPL make a gift to the Library Foundation.