I’m the head of NoveList products, and one of the questions I get asked most often is, "When will [x] be done?" Whether x is referring to a new feature that’s coming soon, a new interface design about to be released, or an entirely new product, everyone asks when it will be done. It's a fair question. But the honest answer is... never.
And I believe that's a good thing.
Writing the latest chapter
Just last week, we released an updated version of the NoveList database. This is just the most recent of many releases we’ve offered in the last 30 years — our first-ever version was entirely text-based and based on MS-DOS. (Check out these vintage photos.) We've sure come a long way since then!
I like to think of NoveList as a story that's constantly unfolding. We wrote the first chapter in 1994 with a core idea (helping readers find books), and with the help of our amazing team, we've added exciting plot twists and characters along the way. But the best stories never truly end. There are always new chapters to write and new worlds to explore.
The 2025 version of NoveList is still centered on helping readers find books, but it now includes more robust tools, a mobile-friendly design, and incorporates some of the latest thinking on accessibility. We made these changes based on requests we’ve heard from users over the years, as well as feedback from several hundred beta testers who gave us much-needed input. For example, many beta testers noticed that it took too many extra clicks to get to some content, and we’ve already been able to address that concern. But we know there’s more to do.
And so, the story continues — we’re continuing to revise our work because there is always more to be done and more ways to improve. For us, the process never ends because we want to ensure NoveList evolves as libraries, books, and readers evolve.
You are our co-authors
This is where you, our customers and users, come in. We can't write the next chapter in a vacuum. Your feedback is the inspiration for the next plot twist. You're the ones living within the story every day, and you know better than anyone which characters need more development, which plotlines are most exciting, and what new adventures you want to see next.
We appreciate your feedback, especially when it helps us identify areas for improvement. My promise to you is that we will read every email, every support ticket, and every comment. Here are a few ways you can get in touch any time:
- In NoveList: Look for the “Share Feedback” link in the “How Do I?” menu.
- Email: You can reach our team at novelist@ebsco.com at any time.
- Website: There are multiple options for getting in touch with us on our website.
Our team discusses your feedback and ideas. Your insights have led to some of our most beloved features—our favorite chapters — and for that, we are incredibly grateful.
Let's write the future, together
As I mentioned, we have more new features and improvements planned for the coming months. We are planning to make it easier for you to narrow down long lists, and we’re going to add more browsing experiences. We can't wait to share these improvements with you.
But the plan is not set in stone. It's a living story that we will continue to update based on your feedback and the evolving needs of readers.
Thank you for being a part of our journey. We're proud of the story we've written so far, but we know the best chapters are yet to come. With your help, we'll continue to write this story, making it a more powerful, more intuitive, and more delightful experience for everyone.
So please keep the feedback coming. What's one thing you'd love to see in the next chapter of NoveList's story? We're all ears.
