Week 13 Prompt

Week 13 Prompt 

If readers advisory librarians focus on connecting patrons with an enjoyable read, regardless of genre and format, the patron may discover new areas of interest, perhaps outside of the traditional legitimate reading options, “The objective of readers advisory is not to recommend a book that is ‘good for you,’ but simply to suggest a good book for an enjoyable read,” (Booth 34).  Libraries can provide both passive and active readers advisory services in an effort to reach the needs and interests of all their patrons [or, to expose patrons to possible new interests].  Actively conversing with patrons and offering displays such as book maps, books to screen displays, read alike options, patrons are offered quick access to materials and may be introduced to new formats and genres that they otherwise wouldn’t approach independently, “Part of the service we need to provide includes passive advisory including displays and bibliographies and active advisory including approaching patrons and conducting advisory interviews,” (Hilyard, 12).

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Using social media to reach potential YA readers is a valuable tool for librarians to share, and not just announce, genres and formats and linking them to movies, music and tv episodes that patrons are engaged with, “The discussion [comments about the show, Charlaine Harris’ books, and other titles we liked or didn’t] moved out of the realm of Facebook and right into work, family gatherings, and other real-life meet-ups.  The readers’ advisory librarian in me finally got it.  It really is about the sharing.” (Hilyard 13).  Engaging, actively or passively, in person or through social media, will educate the librarian on the patrons areas of interest as well as introduce patrons to new materials that they might not otherwise experience, “All of these are ways to draw in followers and make them feel like part of the conversation and in the know, while getting across information about new titles, programming, and insight into the variety of things we do in public libraries,” (Hilyard 14).  By providing a variety of genres and formats, accessible in both active and passive RA services, libraries can effectively reach diverse community needs.

  

Works Cited

Booth, Heather. “RA for YA:  Tailoring the Readers Advisory Interview to the Needs of Young Adult         Patrons.”  Public Libraries, Vol. 44 no. 1, Jan / Feb 2005, pp. 33-36.

Daum, Alexandria. “Creative Displays:  Your Best Passive Readers’ Advisory Tool.” Peace Library System, 16 Feb. 2015, https://www.peaceporridge.com/the-blog/creative-displays-your-best-passive-readers-advisory-tool.  Accessed 2 April 2018.

Hilyard, Nann Blaine.  “The Expanding Scope of Readers’ Advisory,” Public Libraries, vol. 49 no. 1, 2010, pp. 10-25.