Week 16 Prompt

Week 16 Prompt

The Trend of Children’s Books

One of my favorite childhood books was [and still is] Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey (1941).  With warm sepia drawings and relaxed pace, I found the story of the mallard family comforting.  Today, children print and virtual books may feature interactive elements, allowing the reader to choose the storyline and drive the plot such as in Pango’s Storytime reading app where the child pushes and swipes, shakes and touches the characters to move the story forward, (A., Dana).  As a young child, I was surrounded by an endless supply of books.  My mom, a librarian, instilled the tradition of reading together as a family that has inspired a third generation of avid readers.  From classics to interactive virtual stories and everything in between, children today have an impressive assortment of reading materials to suit their interests, needs and moods.  My kids have enjoyed the interactive nature of print books such as Disney’s Little Einsteins series, where young readers can tap and sing along with the text.   More recently, my daughter has loved Touch the Brightest Star and Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson, allowing children to participate in the story and tap, rub and swipe the illustrations to move the story forward, much like a virtual reading app.   While traditional books are highly valued and often find cherished places on bookshelves, the addition of interactive features attract and engage busy young readers, in the hopes of building a life-long love of reading.

A Look Into the Future

Last week my son’s 6^th grade teacher sent an email to the parents asking the students to bring a water bottle, charged laptop [and charger] and a “paper book” with them to the ISTEP testing.  I assumed the teacher meant a paperback book, perhaps to fit in the students’ laptop case?  My son, though, was certain she meant a print book [specifically eliminating the digital book option].  Who knew?

As our classrooms become paperless and adults access books, news and friends digitally, the electronic age brings greater opportunity to enjoy reading material.  With the proper device and accounts, a reader has the capabilities to tap into extensive digital resources, 24 hours a day, remotely and immediately.  Electronics have enhanced the readers’ world, but have not pushed the print book aside.

The digital world expands the previously excepted materials traditionally published by welcoming self-published works and books of all sizes, “Many of those self-published books are ones in which traditional publishers would have had no interest, but which almost-free distribution makes worthwhile: …The size of the text, as well as the size of the niche, becomes less of an issue, too; short stories and novellas are making a comeback,” (Suich).  Suich explains how the content of the written book:  the ability to enlighten, reform and advance thought remains strongly intact while technology enhances the honorable book qualities, “Books read in electronic form will boast the same power and some new ones to boot. The printed book is an excellent means of channelling information from writer to reader; the e-book can send information back as well. Teachers will be able to learn of a pupil’s progress and questions; publishers will be able to see which books are gulped down, which sipped slowly. Already readers can see what other readers have thought worthy of note, and seek out like-minded people for further discussion of what they have read. The private joys of the book will remain; new public pleasures are there to be added.”

Booklovers will continue to read, and because texts are more readily available, will read more well into the future.  Added features such as interactive book chats, further encourages the population to read.  Because self-publishing and giants like Amazon are pushing prices down and forcing traditional publishers to be more efficient, consumers preferring print books are paying less, on average, for their physical reads (Suich).  With lower prices and delivery to your door, readers easily enjoy their favorite print books and the convenient, durable, package of the traditional book. 

The publishing industry has drastically changed since Peter James’ 1993 novel Host was published on two floppy disks (Nuwer).  From print parchment to floppy disks, to downloadable ebooks, readers and publishers alike can expect the industry to continually evolve.  In 20 years, readers will, likely be experimenting with technology not yet introduced, “Stein imagines, for example, that future forms of books might be developed not by conventional publishers but by the gaming industry. He also envisions that the distinction between writer and reader will be blurred by a social reading experience in which authors and consumers can digitally interact with each other to discuss any passage, sentence or line,” (Nuwer).   The growing use of technology driven readership attracts readers while the survival of print books remains durable, dependable and lasting.

Works Cited

A., Dana.   App Review of Pango Story Time. Common Sense Media, https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/pango-storytime. Accessed 17 April 2018.

Nuwer, Rachel. “Are Paper Books Really Disappearing?” BBC Future. 12 January 2016, http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20160124-are-paper-books-really-disappearing.  Accessed 17 April 2018.

Suich, Alexandra. “Papyrus to Pixels:  The Digital Transformation in the Way Books are Written, Published and Sold Has Only Just Begun,” The Economist, https://www.economist.com/news/essays/21623373-which-something-old-and-powerful-encountered-vault.

Week 15 Prompt

Week 15 Prompt

Although Saricks initially emphasizes the effectiveness of genre fiction categorization or genre marking on the book spines as a means to provide patrons with better access to materials (138), additional tools are necessary to mitigate the drawbacks of genre fiction categorization.  Through innovative use of the library’s webpage, readily accessible RA tools such as displays, and inviting patron/ staff interactions, RA services are convenient for patrons and effectively encourage use of the library’s fiction collection. 

Library’s Website

Patrons have readily available access to library events and materials through the library website, “Library websites serve as ‘the public face of the institution’ and provide extensive information and library services to patrons who never set foot into a physical branch… [and] serve as a resource for users who do patronize their community libraries in person, alerting them to the services, events, and resources that will be available to them when they visit,” (Burke 132).  By making RA services available online, libraries offer private, convenient and efficient RA services, (Burke 133).  Online use of RA services is non-invasive, more thorough, and promotes the contents of the collection by highlighting titles that may be disregarded, (Burke 133).  Using email and chat options, RA services can be personalized, in addition to the passive services of online book trailers, podcasts offering booktalks and online booklists, (Burke 133).  Burke’s study concluded that online library services are feasible and that patron interests are strongly supported when libraries implement, update and maximize their online presence, “Recreational readers want to talk about books, and many of them want to have those conversations online.  Shouldn’t public libraries join them? (Burke 142). 

Library’s Environment, Layout and Design (including displays)

For RA services to be effective in marketing the fiction collection, the RA librarian must be present and approachable.  Despite the array of RA tools available, Nann Hilyard contends that the RA librarian is an unmatched asset to patrons, “…’nothing can take the place of an intelligent and obliging assistant at the desk,” (19).  A simple sign inviting patrons to ask the librarian for book recommendations such as “Ask Here for a Good Book” encourages patron/ librarian interaction and establishes a welcoming environment (Saricks 137).

Ensuring patrons are comfortable while they browse the collection is essential and can be accomplished with an inviting greeting, easily readable book displays (not overwhelming) and better vision of low shelving “creates an atmosphere that underlines the importance of reading and is conducive to leisurely book selection,” (Saricks 137). Book displays should include a small group of books to easily attract patron interests and descriptive signs (Saricks 139).

https://prowritingaid.com/art/577/The-Best-Historical-Fiction-Books-of-All-Time.aspx

Saricks encourages displays such as “Good Books You May Have Missed” in an effort to attract reader attention to older, quality books (142).  This ongoing display includes a variety of genres and because book selection is shared by many staff members, new titles are added frequently.   Effective book displays speak to the patron moods and display themes aligned with patron interests (Saricks 142).  “Staff Picks” lists noted throughout the collection, gives readers easy access to their beloved librarians’ favorite materials.

https://education.library.ubc.ca/blog/new-dvd-staff-picks-and-recommended-dvd-guide-at-education-library/

Many display ideas can also be implemented on the library’s website, reaching both the virtual library patron in addition to the patrons visiting the physical library,

 

http://www.wakefieldlibrary.org/books-movies-more/book-buzz/staff-picks/

Cross-Training

Finally, implementing some successful tips from bookstores can assist the library in marketing their fiction collection.  In an interview with a Barnes and Nobles bookstore manager, Chris Ripple notes the importance of creating an inviting atmosphere for customers.  By cross-training staff wherein the café staff member can recommend a good mystery to the coffee-lover raving about a great read, invites customer/ staff interactions (Ripple).  Similarly, circulation staff members frequently talk with patrons as they enter, exit and check out materials.  Brief exchanges between circulation staff and patrons offer a friendly, easily accessible opportunity to discuss the books the patron is checking out or renewing, and perhaps offer additional titles of interest.  Confident staff will more likely greet patrons and enjoy brief book discussions periodically throughout their day.  Ripple reminds the reader that customers [patrons] who are greeted, feel more welcome and invited to ask questions (webjunction.org). 

Librarians enjoy a vast array of tools available to market their fiction collection.  By using passive and active, virtual and physical tools, libraries can effectively reach their diverse patron base.

Works Cited

Burke Susan K. and Molly Strothmann. “Adult Readers’ Advisory Services through Public Library Websites,” Reference & User Services Quarterly, vol. 55, iss. 2, 2015.

Hilyard, Nann Blaine. “The Expanding Scope of Readers’ Advisory.”  Public Libraries, Jan/ Feb 2010.

Ripple, Chris. “What Libraries Can Learn from Bookstores,” Web Junction:  The Learning Place for Libraries. 21 March 2012, https://www.webjunction.org/documents/webjunction/What_Libraries_Can_Learn_from_Bookstores.html.  Accessed 16 March 2018.

Saricks, Joyce. “Promoting and Marketing Readers’ Advisory Collections and Services.  Readers’ Advisory Service in the Public Library.  ALA, 2005, pp. 136-160.