|
General
FAQs
|
|
Question: What is the Accelerated Reader Program?
|
|
Answer: The
Accelerated Reader Program (AR Program)
is a reading program that is widely used in elementary and secondary schools. Here is the
Wiki on the subject as well as
here is a bunch of PhD-types giving pros/cons on the subject.
All I can say is our children read like gang busters now and
before the program, they didn’t. You
can Google Accelerated Reader and find bunches more.
Nuff said.
|
|
Question: What does Reading Bookshelf do?
|
|
Answer: The
Reading Bookshelf matches schools' approved book lists against local public library web
sites to determine what books are available at that library.
|
|
Question: What good is finding out a book is available
at the local library? |
|
Answer:
Almost all online public library systems provide the capability to "reserve" or
"request" a book be set aside. Follow the link "Place Request" and if you
have a library card ID, you can reserve the book you want at the nearest branch
convienent to you. Walk into that branch the next day and the books will be
there waiting for you! We can't speak for all libraries, but some will even
move the book from one branch to another one closer to you within 24 hours. |
|
Question: Does it cost money to join?
|
|
Answer: No.
Reading Bookshelf is a free service to all parents.
|
|
Question: How does Reading Bookshelf make money?
|
|
Answer: Reading Bookshelf
derives its revenue from advertising from local merchants and business as well as
automatic ad generation. Feel free to visit any of our clients' websites and let
them know you appreciate their support.
|
|
Question: What kind of advertising is going to be displayed?
|
|
Answer: The
2 dads that built this website don't want anything on this website they wouldn't
show to their own kids. The Reading Bookshelf is designed to be family-oriented and all
ad generation is filtered to exclude adult content. If you see something that you
feel is inappropriate, let us know at
questions@arbookshelf.com and we will filter it out of the ad rotation.
|
|
Question: What kind of website is Reading Bookshelf?
|
|
Answer: The
Reading Bookshelf is a real-time information meshing website. Info meshing is integrating
2 distinct data sources (School AR lists and Public Library online systems) to generate a new information perspective.
|
|
Performance FAQs
|
|
Question: It seems like it is taking a long time for
the website to come back, how can I improve the response time or performance?
|
|
Answer: Currently,
the Reading Bookshelf relies on querying online library's websites 1 book at a time. This
is very inefficient and we are working on ways to improve the integration. Reducing
the number of books to be queried is the single best way to speed up performance.
|
|
Question: What ways can I reduce the number of books
searched?
|
|
Answer: There
are several ways to reduce the number of books searched. This can be accomplished
by entering additional search criteria in the Author, title, and Book Level ranges
in combination with the school and library selections to reduce the number of books
queried.
|
|
Question: What if I don't know any additional search
criteria?
|
|
Answer:
In the Advanced Book Search tab (members only), select
the checkbox "Ala Carte" option and the Reading Bookshelf will return the list of books
meeting the other criteria without search any library websites.
|
|
Question: What is the
Ala
Carte option?
|
|
Answer: The
Ala Carte option allows you to query the school list and get back a list of potential
books to individually choose from. You can then select the books you wish to see
are available at the library selected. This improves the response time to only querying
for the books selected rather than for all the books that meet the search criteria.
|
|
Members FAQs
|
|
Question: Do I need to join Reading Bookshelf to look for
books?
|
|
Answer: No.
Reading Bookshelf provides a basic book search for all schools and Libraries participating.
|
|
Question: What are the benefits to joining Reading Bookshelf?
|
|
Answer: There
are several benefits to joining Reading Bookshelf. Initially, members get access to advanced
query capabilities. As the Reading Bookshelf grows, members will have access to additional
functionality such as cross-Library search, saved queries, student mgmt, book list
print outs, directed querying, and creating and managing their own booklists.
|
|
School FAQs
|
|
Question: How can I sign up my school?
|
|
Answer: We now
have limited self-service capability to allow schools to manage their own lists.
It’s limited because we still need to “set up” and administrator for the school
before he/she can upload and manage their school’s book list. Email us at
addSchool@arbookshelf.com and we will be happy to set you up as your school’s
representative.
|
|
Question: Does it cost anything to publish my school's
book list?
|
|
Answer: No.
Reading Bookshelf is a free service to all schools.
|
|
Library FAQs
|
|
Question: How can I sign up my library?
|
|
Answer: We envision
at some point a self-service capability to allow libraries to connect on their own.
For now, we will do it a bit more interactive. Email us at
addLibrary@arbookshelf.com and we will be happy to communicate with you
about the best way to integrate your library on the site.
|
|
Question: Does it cost anything to link my library to
the Reading Bookshelf?
|
|
Answer: No.
Reading Bookshelf is a free service to all libraries.
|