Personalization Designed to Connect Patrons to the Library

Toronto, Ontario, June 29, 2025 — In a world where digital interactions are expected to be fast, intuitive, and relevant, the public library must feel just as accessible and personalized as the platforms patrons use every day. That's why BiblioCommons continues to develop new ways to simplify the online experience, making it easier for patrons to engage with their library and find what matters to them most. Personalization has become one of the central pillars of the BiblioCommons platform. It enables libraries to surface content that's not just available but relevant, transforming passive browsing into active discovery. BiblioCommons is making it clear what data informs personalization so patrons can decide with confidence. By giving patrons control over their experience and putting recommendations in the right place, at the right time, personalization helps libraries stay connected in a world of constant digital noise.

One of the first touchpoints for this work is the new Centralized Patron Profile, where users can explicitly share their preferences, such as genre or age group, which are then used to tailor their experience across the BiblioCommons suite, including BiblioCore, BiblioApps, BiblioWeb, and BiblioEvents. Patrons can update or remove these preferences at any time, giving them full control over how their experience is shaped. Another way personalization is being integrated is through the “Holds” workflow. Instead of leaving patrons frustrated when they encounter a long wait for a popular title, BiblioCommons will offer personalized title suggestions based on their explicitly provided interests. A single click can now lead to something new, timely, and available, turning a potential drop-off into a deeper connection with the collection. BiblioCommons is also introducing recommendations based on star ratings. When a patron gives a title 4 or 5 stars, similar titles will appear on their 'My Library Dashboard' or BiblioApps landing page. A single rating now enables personalized recommendations, allowing patrons to discover similar, relevant titles with just one click, based on items they've already rated highly.

In an age where 80% of U.S. adults say they want personalized recommendations online, libraries can no longer afford to be the exception. By being transparent about the data that powers personalization and offering tailored suggestions to patrons, libraries remain not just relevant, but essential. For libraries, personalization isn't just about user satisfaction, it's also about operational efficiency and ensuring the right message, program, or title reaches the right people with less effort from staff. With each of these enhancements, BiblioCommons continues to close the gap between patrons and the library resources they value most. When the experience feels meaningful and relevant, every click becomes a step toward a deeper connection with the library.

For more information about how BiblioCommons is delivering personalization across the online library, visit the BiblioCommons booth (#723)at ALA 2025 or contact a member of the BiblioCommons team.

About BiblioCommons

BiblioCommons builds software that transforms the public library's essential online services—catalog, mobile app, website, events calendar, and email marketing—from transactions to experiences worthy of the public library. BiblioCommons powers integrated online experiences for many of the top public libraries of all sizes across the United States andCanada. 

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For more information, please contact:
Eliana Franco, Marketing Director 
Eliana.Franco@BiblioCommons.com