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