Readers' Advisory Service in the Public Library - Softcover

Saricks, Joyce G.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0838908977 ISBN 13: 9780838908976

Publisher: ALA Editions, 2005

Synopsis

Do you have anything else like this?" In public libraries, reference librarians are often called on to make recommendations to readers, sometimes in genres that they don't personally read. Learning how to frame a discussion and articulate the appeal of a book, author, or genre marks the essence of a successful readers' advisor. Readers' advisory is defined as, "patron-oriented library service for adult fiction readers," according to Saricks, a noted expert on the subject. In the completely revised third edition of Readers' Advisory Service for Public Libraries, Saricks updates this critically acclaimed how-to guide, making it more helpful than ever. As reference librarians seek support in guiding adult readers, they've come to trust this authoritative resource. It has been expanded and improved with: Easy ways to create "read alike" lists, identifying what else is "like" a favorite book; Practical guidelines for conducting the advisory interview so it's a comfortable exchange; Confidence-boosting tactics for drawing on reviews to make recommendations; Methods for incorporating nonfiction into the discussion; More resources and online tools; Using the proven strategies in this newly updated, back-to-basics overview, librarians providing readers' advisory services will find the answers they need to help customers make appropriate choices.

About this title

About the Author:

Joyce G. Saricks retired in 2004 from the Downers Grove, Illinois, Public Library where she started in 1977. As Literature and Audio Services Coordinator in 1983, Saricks, along with colleague Nancy Brown, created a readers' advisory service there and went on to present more than 100 workshops on the subject for public libraries and systems, and at library conferences. The award-winning librarian received the Public Library Association's Allie Beth Martin Award in 1989, was named Librarian of the Year by the Romance Writers in 2000, and authored Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction (ALA Editions, 2001).

From Booklist:

Saricks' name is familiar to many public librarians, thanks to her extensive experience conducting workshops on readers' advisory service, her columns in Booklist, the previous two editions of this book, and her other book, Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction (ALA, 2001). This new edition is a complete revision and can be useful both as a textbook for library-school students and a training manual for library staff. The definition of readers' advisory service has been expanded to include nonfiction as well as fiction. Online tools for identifying and evaluating titles to suggest to today's new adult leisure readers are described, in addition to the tried-and-true print sources. The value of personal reading suggestions from staff and patrons is addressed. Topics for discussion and techniques for marketing good reading material are offered.

The readers' advisory interview chapter, which likens it to a reference interview and stresses the important distinction between recommending and suggesting, should probably be required reading for all library staff. Chapter 7, "Training," provides a checklist for novice librarians and ongoing training activities for experienced readers' advisors. Appendixes include a popular fiction list, a popular nonfiction list, "Sure Bets," and "A NoveList Author Readalike." The bibliography lists print sources and Web sites. A priority for all libraries involved in readers' advisory. Sally Jane
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About this edition

• Publisher: ALA Editions
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0838908977
• ISBN 13: 9780838908976
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 211