Frequent Questions
Q. Since you don't take money from publishers, how do you guys stay in business? Are you a non-profit?
A. Yes, we're a non-profit, but we didn't start out to be, and don't want to be. We make our money from AALRP memberships, data services, rare book appraisals, custom reports, and other services. We're not completely "divorced" from publishers either, and although we don't charge them for all the benefits they get worldwide when we recommend or review a title, we do work with them on specialized data runs and reports. Our main focus is the survival and success of libraries, and publishers are key to that objective.
Q. How do you work with retailers?
A. All the top retailers and distributors-- Amazon, Borders, Barnes and Noble, etc. depend on us for their success in the Library, University, Textbook and expensive title segments, particularly with exotic bindings or large page counts. Just like publishers are taking more risk with a "heavy" title, so are retailers. We reduce that risk with numerous information channels, proprietary searches, sorts and lists, and the planet's best professional reviewer network. We bring librarians and reviewers together, and supercharge title communication channels for publishers and authors, at no cost to them.
Q. How do I become a reviewer?
A. Click HERE for more info.
Q. How do I join AALRP or get a password to do searches?
A. Click HERE for more info.
Q. What are some of the things you sort your review databases against?
A. There are hundreds of items and thousands of possible combinations, but a few of the most popular are: keyword, date, edition, cost, review rating, number sold, ISBN, authors, SIC, title, class, category, content, academic discipline. If you're researching a bib, you want to know you're seeing a highly regarded title, how often it is referenced, how new it is, what other references link to it, and where it rates in the pecking order of that professional discipline. We have stats from libraries and universities that no one else has-- things like how many curriculums include a particular title across the world.
Q. I've heard a lot about your list feature. What exactly is it?
A. It is unique in the world and industry. Previously, to see a list of "best picks" in a given topic area, you'd have to trust someone who posts a few favorites. With the LP.c database, you can choose "raising African Gray Parrots" and get an instant list of the top reviewed titles, most with beautiful color plates. If you get fancier, and ask for "Algorithms," you'll get a list of not only top reviewed texts, but also which are being used for which courses at which level-- high school, undergrad, grad, postdoc and professional reference. As a consumer, you won't waste your money on a book that is too shallow or deep for your experience level, which is something we emphasize to our reviewers that many others don't remember.
Q. Does your database include novels?
A. Our database includes every expensive book in print, which does not include most novels and cookbooks. Remember, we got our start with textbooks, libraries and rare collections. If you sort by "Photography" you'll find many books, not because they are all being used in photography courses, but because libraries have to pick and choose which books to include in a collection, and 4 or 5 color sheetfed press "coffee table" editions have to be considered for libraries, since many consumers depend on that system to read books they can't afford to buy themselves.
Click HERE to email us, click HERE for more information on AALRP, click HERE for information on how to use the LP databases, click HERE for answers to Frequent Questions, and click HERE for feedback from members and users like you!
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