This was a paper I wrote for my Reader's Advisory class when I was in school. Having posted this paper more than a year ago for that class, my first reaction on reading this again was to just take it off. After deciding to keep it, my second reaction was to take it down, re-edit it, and then post it again. But as this project is all about me being a work in progress, I'm leaving it alone as a reminder to strive for better next time.
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The topic of Reader’s Advisory has been
one of great interest to countless librarians over the many years of its
extensive existence and a great service to numberless patrons. Going back
almost one hundred years, the library has endeavored to suggest reading
material to those who came through its doors.[1]
Continually improved upon from its inception, there have been certain standards
which are followed when aiding or teaching patrons.
However it is well known that the
central factor in the library profession is change. Over the years, the focus has become less of
how librarians select books for patrons for personal improvement and more how
they promote any kind of reading. Today
Reader’s Advisory largely consists of books suggested for leisure reading. In
addition to this, a new twist has been added. With the brisk advancement of
technology, the library has found that patrons can be introduced to different
genres not only through books, but also from various other channels. Known as
integrated reader’s advisory, it is a “[…] way of providing advisory services
to library users that includes all different formats and media while staying
focused around a genre.” Saricks
continues by mentioning such media and formats which she later introduces in
her book. They include: books, films, television shows, computer games, video
games, graphic novels, manga, abridged and unabridged audiobooks, and podcasts. By
introducing different formats via various types of media, the library not only
“keeps up with the times” but services a wider range of their collection and to
a greater number of patrons. The remainder of this paper will explore various
formats which can, and have been, used by libraries in the readers’ advisory
experience. Examples come from a range of personal experiences and observation.
For as long as I can remember, I have
loved reading books and watching movies. While I enjoy these two activities
separately, I have discovered within the last several years that combined, they
produce a greater experience. It has therefore become a practice of mine, more
so out of pleasure than discipline, to read books and then watch the movie adaption(s),
and vice versa, for comparison. Seeing the imaginary manifested on screen has
proved to be a rich experience for me. However as I now turn this leisure
activity to my professional life as a librarian, it seems all the more
important to understand and cultivate the skills of not only identifying books
which will be read, but movies and other media which will be used.
The first of part of integrated
Reader’s Advisory requires the same planning as any other aspect of the
library: study the patrons. While our main goal is to serve the patrons who
come through our doors, they must first be studied. We must know not only how
many people there are in the community, but of what age groups are represented.
What ethnic groups are represented? Is it a community who are “behind the
times” and still listening to cassette tapes or are they demanding advanced
electronic materials? All of these factors will affect what kinds of books will
be bought and highlighted.
Librarians not only have the responsibility
to be aware of what is new in the world of entertainment and technology, but
they are to be constantly looking for ways to introduce these various formats
to the public. These steps will not only encourage patrons to discover new
materials and genres, but will also aid the librarians themselves in their
services.
Besides books, the most obvious
format to fit into this category is movies. While this may not seem to be
important, librarians frequently use movies to connect with their patrons and
to provide them with a rounder view of what is available. Many times, movies
open a new world of reading to patrons or they serve to awaken interests in new
genres. Only a few weeks ago I was working when a lady came to the desk to ask
if the library had a copy of Safe Haven
by Nicholas Sparks. Only the day before, I had read a review of the movie which
had been released that day. While the lady was aware of the movie’s existence
(and had just been to see it the night before), she now wanted to read the book
after her viewing experience. While she might have gotten around to reading it
eventually, watching the movie prompted her to find it sooner. This incident
reinforced the influence that movies have in our multi-media society and how
vital it is for me to stay on top of what is out there.
Events can also present ways to
introduce new media in the library to patrons. Anniversaries are one such
example. A book has reached its 50th anniversary of publication or it
has won a prestigious award. Books in lime lights such as these usually merit
its transfer to the public focus in the forms of audio, electronic, or special
additions.
Holidays or special occasions call
for special displays. At the Beech Grove Public Library, there are currently three
displays pertaining to February events: Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, and
the Oscars. The Valentine’s Day and President’s Day displays are primarily made
up of books, but books on CD, Playaways, and movies round the collections out.
The Academy Awards display features mainly movies, but several books accompany
them. A patron may have seen a movie, but this a display such as this may be
the first time they realize that is was taken from a book. This may intrigue
them to read the book which they are already somewhat familiar with.
Authors or other local celebrities
are also good to use as starting points. While they cannot all be followed, a
library may “adopt-an-author” and follow his/her career. Although Steve McQueen
is dead, he is just such an example at the Beech Grove library. The library has
built programs and events around this famous actor who originates from this
town. They feature books about him, host movie night of his films, and even
have a history room dedicated to him. This gives the library a person, who they
are all proud to call their own, to expand on in many different directions.
There are so many ways in which he as a person and actor can be studied by a
whole range of patrons no matter what their ages.
After the librarian has done much of
the background work of finding information, reading articles, and setting up
displays, what can he/she do with this information to make it even more
accessible to their patrons?
Although displays have already been
discussed, it should be mentioned again that this is a very powerful way in
which to make parts of the collection visible to patrons. As I have observed,
and know from my own experience as a library patron, people do not go to every
part of the library when they visit. They know where they can find the items
they want. But there are sections which they know they are not interested in. In
this way, it is easy to overlook new materials or new pieces of technology. But
by showcasing certain items, it is easy to give patrons a snapshot of what is available.
Another way to announce materials is
to maintain a blog or a part of the library website which introduces new
technology and explains how it works. Lists of books which can be found in
e-book, Playaway, or audio formats can be made available for patrons to consult.
And finally, events can be planned to make patrons aware of what the library
has or how to use the new formats. Oftentimes, patrons may be aware of what
they can use, but they feel overwhelmed by the thought of using such advanced
formats. Libraries can be of use in that department as well. The Indianapolis
Library recently finished a series of events at various branches which invited
patrons to bring their Kindles, Nooks, and other electronic reading devices to
the library and learn how to use them.
It is possible for librarians to
feel overwhelmed when confronted with the topic of Reader’s Advisory. However
we have never had so many tools at our disposal. We are not asked to pick books
out of thin air. Instead we have a myriad of materials to choose from when we
field many different requests. It is our job to make the best use of what we
have to serve those who need answers.
