With all the technology available to us now, there are so many ways to approach RA in the public library. While librarians are using these tools in effective ways, we can always stand to improve. So I went online to look for advice about how to use technology to conduct superior RA service.
Booklists are a popular RA tool, and most libraries have begun making their lists available online. One suggestion for enhancing this service is to create booklists specifically for your community of readers. Many of the lists you see online are generic, like "Mystery Authors A-Z" or "Fiction for Women by Women". While these lists have their purpose, creating a boolist for your patrons can be even more successful. You can personalize your suggestions even further by including a brief synopsis of each title and maybe even a few short lines of a book review.
Some libraries, like Hennepin County PL (http://www.hclib.org/pub/bookspace/), are offering online book discussion groups. The library can choose a book and formulate questions that patrons then respond to in an online format.
Another popular venture is allowing patrons to review and tag books. The Danbury Library (CT) (http://cat.danburylibrary.org/) has added LibraryThing content to its online catalog, allowing patrons to tag items with indexing terms that make sense to them.
Blogs and wikis also provide libraries with ways to reach out to readers online. These formats are useful particularly with teens.
Libraries are always coming up with new and innovative ways to use technology, which is great for our profession because change is inevitable.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Reader's Advisory Interview
The RA interview is similar to the reference interview in that you want to be approachable and ask open-ended questions. On Bookbitch.com, they reference the RA interview as a three-step process: an initial listening period, suggesting titles, and offering ongoing assistance.
At the initial stage of the RA interview, it is important to find out what type of book the patron is interested in reading. You can do this by asking a simple question like, "Tell me about a book you read recently that you liked." Or if a patron comes in looking for a bestseller that is checked out, you can ask if they want to read something else from that author or if they want to read a book by an author with a similar writing style in that same genre.
Once you've compiled a list of possible titles, put the books forth as suggestions, not recommendations. You don't want it to apprear as though you're endorsing a book, which could make it uncomfortable for the patron to refuse. You can also take the reader to the stacks to browse and look at the suggestions as you talk.
Finally, follow-up with the reader just as you would during a reference interview. Ask them to let you know if the books work out for them. Also, it is a good idea to give them reference tools to assist them as they look for future reads, i.e., websites for mystery readers or book lists the staff has created.
As always, the only way to learn a skill is practice, practice, practice. For more tips on conducting RA, visit the links below.
Happy reading.
interview with Joyce Saricks: http://lu.com/ranews/mar2006/orr.cfm
Bookbitch.com: http://www.bookbitch.com/READERS%20ADVISORY.htm
LIS Career Development Center: http://www.liscareer.com/larrabee_ra.htm
Library Journal article "Taking Back Reader's Advisory": http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA317643.html
At the initial stage of the RA interview, it is important to find out what type of book the patron is interested in reading. You can do this by asking a simple question like, "Tell me about a book you read recently that you liked." Or if a patron comes in looking for a bestseller that is checked out, you can ask if they want to read something else from that author or if they want to read a book by an author with a similar writing style in that same genre.
Once you've compiled a list of possible titles, put the books forth as suggestions, not recommendations. You don't want it to apprear as though you're endorsing a book, which could make it uncomfortable for the patron to refuse. You can also take the reader to the stacks to browse and look at the suggestions as you talk.
Finally, follow-up with the reader just as you would during a reference interview. Ask them to let you know if the books work out for them. Also, it is a good idea to give them reference tools to assist them as they look for future reads, i.e., websites for mystery readers or book lists the staff has created.
As always, the only way to learn a skill is practice, practice, practice. For more tips on conducting RA, visit the links below.
Happy reading.
interview with Joyce Saricks: http://lu.com/ranews/mar2006/orr.cfm
Bookbitch.com: http://www.bookbitch.com/READERS%20ADVISORY.htm
LIS Career Development Center: http://www.liscareer.com/larrabee_ra.htm
Library Journal article "Taking Back Reader's Advisory": http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA317643.html
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Nonfiction Reader's Advisory
Nonfiction is a genre for which most librarians are leary about doing RA. There are only a small number of books about the topic, including The Readers' Advisory Guide to Nonfiction by Neal Wyatt; The Real Story: A Guide to Nonfiction Reading Interests by Sarah S Cords; and Nonfiction Readers' Advisory edited by Robert Burgin.
When asked about the future of RA, Joyce Saricks is quoted saying that nonfiction RA will become a prominent part of our jobs (http://lu.com/ranews/mar2006/orr.cfm). Libraries have caught on, and some are offering nonfiction book clubs. Western Massachusetts Regional Library put together some tips for nonfiction RA that can be accessed at http://www.wmrls.org/ce/notes/nonfiction-tips.pdf. For the Library Journal series "Redefining RA", Neal Wyatt wrote an article about nonfiction RA that you can read online at http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6413459.html.
There are many nonfiction subgenres just as there are in fiction. Some of them include travel, humor, true crime, and biographies. The New Jersey Library Association put together a great resource for getting started with nonfiction RA. It can be found online at http://www.njla.org/conference/2007/presentations/NarrativeNonfiction.pdf. The information includes reading suggestions for the different nonfiction subgenres.
The future of RA is now. Happy reading.
When asked about the future of RA, Joyce Saricks is quoted saying that nonfiction RA will become a prominent part of our jobs (http://lu.com/ranews/mar2006/orr.cfm). Libraries have caught on, and some are offering nonfiction book clubs. Western Massachusetts Regional Library put together some tips for nonfiction RA that can be accessed at http://www.wmrls.org/ce/notes/nonfiction-tips.pdf. For the Library Journal series "Redefining RA", Neal Wyatt wrote an article about nonfiction RA that you can read online at http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6413459.html.
There are many nonfiction subgenres just as there are in fiction. Some of them include travel, humor, true crime, and biographies. The New Jersey Library Association put together a great resource for getting started with nonfiction RA. It can be found online at http://www.njla.org/conference/2007/presentations/NarrativeNonfiction.pdf. The information includes reading suggestions for the different nonfiction subgenres.
The future of RA is now. Happy reading.
A Tool for Series Fiction
As I check out books to patrons, I notice a lot series fiction. Christian fiction is especially popular with readers at my library, and there are several well-known writers in that genre who write series.
A useful tool for librarians when trying to find the next book in a series is the Series and Sequels database maintained by the Los Angeles Public Library. Access to the database is free and open on the library's website at http://www.lapl.org/resources/indexes/sequels.html.
Not all series are included in the database. For example, I was looking the other day for the Sisters of Holmes County series by Wanda Brunstetter. I couldn't find the information in Series and Sequels, so I ended up doing a simple online search for the series.
The database covers a wide range of popular series fiction writers though, and I use it with success on a regular basis. Hope you find it useful during your RA exchanges.
A useful tool for librarians when trying to find the next book in a series is the Series and Sequels database maintained by the Los Angeles Public Library. Access to the database is free and open on the library's website at http://www.lapl.org/resources/indexes/sequels.html.
Not all series are included in the database. For example, I was looking the other day for the Sisters of Holmes County series by Wanda Brunstetter. I couldn't find the information in Series and Sequels, so I ended up doing a simple online search for the series.
The database covers a wide range of popular series fiction writers though, and I use it with success on a regular basis. Hope you find it useful during your RA exchanges.
RA Books for Libraries
Most of what I read about RA is online, but I've looked at books on the topic, too.
Probably the most widely-known RA book is Genreflecting by Diana Tixier Herald. I read that book for my Adult Services class, and was amazed by the multitude of subgenres. For example, did you know there's a subgenre of science fiction called space opera? (The Star Wars series is part of that subgenre.)
Genreflecting was an important part of my RA education because it helped me see the world of genre fiction in a new light. For those of us who don't read genre fiction, learning that there are many types of science fiction books or mysteries out there can encourage us to try a book or an author we wouldn't have discovered otherwise.
I looked online for some suggestions of other RA books for librarians, and below I listed what I found. Enjoy.
What Do I Read Next? (put out every year by different authors)
Pearl, Nancy Book Lust
Pearl, Nancy More Book Lust
Saricks, Joyce The Reader's Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction
Saricks, Joyce Reader's Advisory Service in the Public Library
Shearer, Kenneth The Readers' Advisor's Companion (published in 2002)
Probably the most widely-known RA book is Genreflecting by Diana Tixier Herald. I read that book for my Adult Services class, and was amazed by the multitude of subgenres. For example, did you know there's a subgenre of science fiction called space opera? (The Star Wars series is part of that subgenre.)
Genreflecting was an important part of my RA education because it helped me see the world of genre fiction in a new light. For those of us who don't read genre fiction, learning that there are many types of science fiction books or mysteries out there can encourage us to try a book or an author we wouldn't have discovered otherwise.
I looked online for some suggestions of other RA books for librarians, and below I listed what I found. Enjoy.
What Do I Read Next? (put out every year by different authors)
Pearl, Nancy Book Lust
Pearl, Nancy More Book Lust
Saricks, Joyce The Reader's Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction
Saricks, Joyce Reader's Advisory Service in the Public Library
Shearer, Kenneth The Readers' Advisor's Companion (published in 2002)
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Books Made into Films
As I've looked online at reading lists for readers' advisory, I've run across some lists of books made into movies. I thought it would be interesting to see what well-known movies of 2008 and 2009 were books first. Below is the list I came up with.
One of my least favorite book-to-film ventures was Reservation Road, which came out in 2007. John Burnham Schwartz wrote a beautiful poetic novel, but he and the director of the film did not translate that depth of feeling to the screenplay.
On the other hand, there have been some films I've loved when I couldn't get into the books. The Anne of Green Gables series and The Namesake are two I can name off the top of my head.
What are some of your favorite films made from books?
Boyne, John The Boy in the Striped Pajamas http://www.boyinthestripedpajamas.com/#/home
Brown, Dan Angels & Demons http://www.angelsanddemons.com/
Fitzgerald, F. Scott The Curious Case of Benjamin Button http://www.benjaminbutton.com/
Gibbons, Dave Watchmen http://watchmenmovie.warnerbros.com/
Kinsella, Sophie Confessions of a Shopaholic http://www.bluefly.com/media/promotions/flash/shopaholic/main/shopaholic.html
Lee, Stan Iron Man http://ironmanmovie.marvel.com/
Mezrich, Ben Bringing Down the House movie: 21
http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/21/
Morgan, Peter Frost/Nixon http://www.frostnixon.net/
Palahniuk, John Choke http://www.foxsearchlight.com/choke/
Piccoult, Jodi My Sister's Keeper http://www.mysisterskeepermovie.com/
Roth, Philip The Dying Animal movie: Elegy
Schlink, Bernhard Der Vorleser movie: The Reader http://www.thereader-movie.com/
Shanley, John Patrick Doubt http://www.doubt-themovie.com/
Swarap, Vikas Q & A movie: Slumdog Millionaire http://www.foxsearchlight.com/slumdogmillionaire/
One of my least favorite book-to-film ventures was Reservation Road, which came out in 2007. John Burnham Schwartz wrote a beautiful poetic novel, but he and the director of the film did not translate that depth of feeling to the screenplay.
On the other hand, there have been some films I've loved when I couldn't get into the books. The Anne of Green Gables series and The Namesake are two I can name off the top of my head.
What are some of your favorite films made from books?
Boyne, John The Boy in the Striped Pajamas http://www.boyinthestripedpajamas.com/#/home
Brown, Dan Angels & Demons http://www.angelsanddemons.com/
Fitzgerald, F. Scott The Curious Case of Benjamin Button http://www.benjaminbutton.com/
Gibbons, Dave Watchmen http://watchmenmovie.warnerbros.com/
Kinsella, Sophie Confessions of a Shopaholic http://www.bluefly.com/media/promotions/flash/shopaholic/main/shopaholic.html
Lee, Stan Iron Man http://ironmanmovie.marvel.com/
Mezrich, Ben Bringing Down the House movie: 21
http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/21/
Morgan, Peter Frost/Nixon http://www.frostnixon.net/
Palahniuk, John Choke http://www.foxsearchlight.com/choke/
Piccoult, Jodi My Sister's Keeper http://www.mysisterskeepermovie.com/
Roth, Philip The Dying Animal movie: Elegy
Schlink, Bernhard Der Vorleser movie: The Reader http://www.thereader-movie.com/
Shanley, John Patrick Doubt http://www.doubt-themovie.com/
Swarap, Vikas Q & A movie: Slumdog Millionaire http://www.foxsearchlight.com/slumdogmillionaire/
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
All Things "Twilight"
Can't get enough of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series?
I suspect that the most asked readers' advisory question this summer will be, "Can you recommend some books that are like Twilight?"
Most libraries have already composed readalike lists for the popular series, and I've given the links to a few lists below. I've also included links to the movie sites (Twilight and New Moon), as well as sites for fans of the movie and actors.
Twilight readalikes:
Westport Public Library, Connecticut
http://www.westportlibrary.org/teenblog/2008/12/twilight_readalikes.html
Liverpool Public Library, New York
http://www.booksite.com/texis/scripts/bookletter/showarchive.html?sid=6529&nlid=4750623d4
Santa Clara County Library, California
http://www.santaclaracountylib.org/teen/lists/twilight_read_a_likes/index.html
Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, Massachusetts
http://www.wakefieldlibrary.org/booklists/readalikes-for-stephenie-meyers-twilight-series/
Fansites:
Author Stephenie Meyer's official website: http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/
The Twilight Saga (fansite): http://www.thetwilightsaga.com/
Rob Pattinson fansite: http://robertpattinson.org/
Kristen Stewart fansite: http://www.kstewartfan.org/
Movie sites:
Twilight: http://www.twilightthemovie.com/ecard_widget/index.html
New Moon: http://www.newmoonmovie.org/
I suspect that the most asked readers' advisory question this summer will be, "Can you recommend some books that are like Twilight?"
Most libraries have already composed readalike lists for the popular series, and I've given the links to a few lists below. I've also included links to the movie sites (Twilight and New Moon), as well as sites for fans of the movie and actors.
Hope you enjoy.
Until November...
Twilight readalikes:
Westport Public Library, Connecticut
http://www.westportlibrary.org/teenblog/2008/12/twilight_readalikes.html
Liverpool Public Library, New York
http://www.booksite.com/texis/scripts/bookletter/showarchive.html?sid=6529&nlid=4750623d4
Santa Clara County Library, California
http://www.santaclaracountylib.org/teen/lists/twilight_read_a_likes/index.html
Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, Massachusetts
http://www.wakefieldlibrary.org/booklists/readalikes-for-stephenie-meyers-twilight-series/
Fansites:
Author Stephenie Meyer's official website: http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/
The Twilight Saga (fansite): http://www.thetwilightsaga.com/
Rob Pattinson fansite: http://robertpattinson.org/
Kristen Stewart fansite: http://www.kstewartfan.org/
Movie sites:
Twilight: http://www.twilightthemovie.com/ecard_widget/index.html
New Moon: http://www.newmoonmovie.org/
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