About

LibraryReads is the monthly nationwide library staff picks list for adult fiction and non-fiction. Our goal is to help connect readers to as many books as possible, while drawing upon the incredible power that public library staff has in helping to build word-of-mouth for new books, and the important role that libraries play in creating audiences for all kinds of authors.

Rather than picking “the best” of anything, LibraryReads represents collective favorites—the books library staff loved reading and cannot wait to share. There are no judges or juries. (see our infographic!) Participation is open to everyone who works in a public library, whether senior staff or new arrivals, in any area of the library. LibraryReads is designed to be inclusive and diverse, representing a broad range of reading tastes and showcasing a variety of new titles, including buzzed-about debuts, genre favorites, bestselling authors, and lesser-known midlist titles that public library staff are raving about.

Each month, the LibraryReads list is announced via e-mail and here on our website. Our list is also featured in a range of media outlets such as Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, Library Journal, Shelf Awareness, Publisher’s Lunch, and the NoveList database.

Edelweiss and NetGalley, the leading resources for digital advance reading copies, both support LibraryReads by accepting votes for the list, and by making digital Advance Reading Copies widely available to library staff. Their help is crucial to the program, and they do it for free–we are very grateful to them for their support. Participants can join the LibraryReads online reading community through either site–both are easy to access and use.

Feel free to download and print the LibraryReads display materials for your library or bookstore, together with digital marketing materials for your own website and newsletters. Our core audience includes everyone who uses a public library in person and online, although the LibraryReads list is also seen by the larger reading community via book bloggers, booksellers and other literary media. 

Download the 2020 LibraryReads Annual Report

2023-24 Executive Board
Jessica Trotter, Capital Area District Libraries, MI  Chair, 2023-24
Shayera Tangri, Los Angeles Public Library, CA.  Secretary/Treasurer
Anna Mickelsen, Springfield City Library, MA Vice Chair, 2023-24

Active Steering Committee Members:
Alicia Ahlvers, Henrico County Public Library, VA
Stephanie Anderson, BookOps, NY*
Robin Bradford, Pierce County Library System, WA
Stephanie Chase, Library Consultant, OR*
Andrienne Cruz
Kelly Currie
Melissa DeWild*
Migdalia Jimenez, Chicago Public Library
Polli Kenn, Lawrence Public Library, KS
Alene Moroni, Forbes Library, Northampton MA*
Michelle Morris, Fort Worth Public Library, TX
Annabelle Mortensen, Skokie Public Library, IL
Michael Santangelo, BookOps, NY*
Stephen Sposato, Chicago Public Library, IL
Kaite Stover, Kansas City Public Library,  MO*
Michelle Young, Waimea Public Library, HI
David Wright*
*Founding Steering Committee

Advisory Committee
Nora Rawlinson*
Miriam Tuliao
Christopher Platt
Lynn Lobash
Robin Nesbitt*
Gregg Winsor