Librarians are Matchmakers

If you’ve found that books, movies, or music that you’ve picked out at the library just isn’t quite what you were hoping for, then the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library Matchmakers can help. The

Matchmakers is a group of librarians specially trained to help customers find materials that they would probably love but just can’t seem to locate on their own.

Similar to other matching services, such as eHarmony and Pandora, Heights Libraries' Matchmakers can build a list of recommendations based a patron's likes, dislikes, and interests.

“The program actually started 15 years ago,” says Becky Katzenmeyer, adult services librarian, “We try to help people find things they would like to read, listen too or watch when they don’t know what to go to next.”

Formerly known as R.A.T.S. (Readers Advisory Team Services), the original program was a means to connect patrons with only books.  Library staff recently decided to expand their advisory services to include movies, books on tape and CD, and music.  Customers can visit in person, call, or e-mail the Matchmakers with requests for recommendations at any time.

The Matchmakers team consists of about 10 core members, but all Heights librarians are tapped for suggestions. “Some librarians have genres that they are better versed in than others, so we consult with each other. Our youth services department provides a matchmaker service that specializes in child and teen literature, for instance. It’s been a long time since I was a teenager, so I like to ask our teen librarians about that collection,” says Katzenmeyer, laughing.

Matchmakers also provide recommendations though their blogs, which can be found at www.heightslibraries.org/page/blogs. These blogs are geared towards the writer’s areas of expertise. The Matchmakers team also has future plans to expand through online resources, such as Facebook and discussion boards.

If you can’t figure out what your next good read is going to be, want to catch up on the latest music trends, or watch some new and exciting films, contact the Matchmakers team by e-mailing matchmakers@heightslibrary.org to receive your personalized list of suggestions.

For additional information on this program and others offered by Heights Libraries system visit www.heightslibrary.org or call (216) 932-3600.