Shelfari

=Shelfari= is a social cataloging website. It builds virtual bookshelves of the titles that you own, have read or plan to read. Users can rate, tag and discuss their books with other interested readers. It is especially useful for bookclubs and/or reading groups.

In a library Shelfari can be used:
 * To highlight new titles
 * To promote reading materials for special events (Holidays, Teen Read Week, Black History Month, National Library Week, etc.)
 * As a discussion point for bookclubs
 * Collection development tool

Shelfari is free but you must register to become a member. Make sure you have a targeted group in mind when you sign up and invite only those members to join. If you are going to create a Shelfari for students, I would have the site available to students on a particular computer so that they can see the covers and read the blurbs. Use the link below to register:

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An example of a Shelfari created for elementary students: []

Here is a link to a library blog that uses a Shelfari widget: Shelfari Blog Example

Below is an example one from a middle school. The student assistants and members of the Name That Book Club add to and update the shelf with their books. Some students have even created their own shelf and "friended" the Clifton shelf!

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