Bowker Introduces Plans to Develop Non-Fiction Connection, New Readers' Advisory Tool for Non-Fiction Titles in U.S. Libraries.

NEW PROVIDENCE, N.J. -- Bowker, the world's leading provider of bibliographic information, today announced the development of Non-Fiction Connection, the library industry's first comprehensive readers' advisory tool for non-fiction titles.

The new electronic offering will allow patrons or librarians to find non-fiction titles based on books they have already read. Users will simply log on to the subscription-only service, enter the title of a book they already know they enjoy, and search for similar books from Bowker's non-fiction database. Using the browse feature, users will also be able to locate books within various narrative non-fiction genres, such as true crime, travel, history, food, animals, politics and biographies.

"We recognized the growing popularity of non-fiction and wanted to create a resource that would address this. Non-Fiction Connection will fill a major void in the readers' advisory space because it will allow users to search a combined database of both fiction and non-fiction titles and gives users the option to search one, the other, or both," said Melissa Kuzma, MLS, product manager of Non-Fiction Connection at Bowker. "This new tool will also provide users with a synopsis of each book, relevant book reviews from independent sources such as Publishers Weekly and Library Journal, a list of any awards the book has earned, details about the book's performance on bestseller lists, interesting media coverage of the book, and even excerpts from the book and images from the cover."

Modeled after Fiction Connection, Bowker's highly successful readers' advisory tool for fiction titles that was honored by The Charleston Advisor last fall as the "Best Interface" for electronic services of interest to libraries, Non-Fiction Connection will be available in June 2007. Bowker is offering substantial discounts of up to 25% for advance orders; for product updates and pricing information, please go to www.bowkersupport.com/nonfc/.

The technology powering Non-Fiction Connection was developed specifically for Bowker by Netherlands-based technology company Medialab, using their Aqua Browser Software and featuring their signature word cloud.

Bowker is the world's leading source for bibliographic information. The company provides searching, analytical, promotional, and ordering services to publishers, booksellers, libraries, and patrons through national and international brands, including: Books In Print[R], Global Books in Print[R], Syndetic Solutions[TM], Pubnet[R], PubEasy[TM], Simba Information[TM], and more. In the U.S. and Puerto Rico, Bowker is also the ISBN and SAN Agency and a DOI registration agency for the publishing industry. Bowker is headquartered in New Providence, New Jersey, with operations in East Grinstead, England, and Port Melbourne, Australia. For more company details, please visit www.Bowker.com.