Hennepin Launching Online Book Community

-- Library Journal, 02/14/2007

Valentine's Day will be extra special for book lovers this year when Hennepin County Library (HCL) rolls out Bookspace.org, where book heads can "create and connect with an online reading community by posting your own book lists and reading books lists submitted by staff and other readers." Users can post comments on what they're reading, sign up for email alerts on new books by their favorite authors, and receive daily excerpts from books via email. HCL said it is celebrating the launch in conjunction with February's I Love To Read month, and is inviting users "to contribute a book list to post on the new website—your favorite books or what you're currently reading. Email a photo of yourself reading in a favorite place, too." Residents of Hennepin County who contribute will be entered into a drawing for prizes including an MP3 player, book lights, tickets to the Library Foundation of HCL's "Pen Pals" author lecture series, and coupons for a free rental of a Bestseller Express title. Free BookSpace.org buttons and bookmarks will be available at all 26 Hennepin County libraries.