Prompt Response Week 16

First, how have reading and books changed since you were a child, for you specifically?

When I was first beginning to read, I did it to impress my mom and brothers that I could read. I was very good at reading before Kindergarten. I couldn’t get enough. But once I began going to school and I was forced to read, it became less fun. I read so much for school I did not want to go home and read. The only books I read for fun were Harry Potter. There were quite a few books I read for school I enjoyed, but I still did not want to go home and read. It was not until I finished college in December 2015 where I wanted to read and was excited to read. And now that I am finishing my MLS, I am even more excited to read.

In my opinion, I think forcing children and teens to read is only going to make them hate it. It happened to me, I saw it all around me, and I see it in my children and teen patrons today. This isn’t happening to all youth, but for it is for many. When reading does not feel like an assignment, it is more pleasing in my opinion. And I can understand why many choose not to read. As Ursala K. Le Guin states in the essay “Staying Awake,” books require more focus and more attention compared to watching TV or other activities, so it is not surprising people have a hard time reading. (Le Guin 37). Reading can be like this for me, especially if I had a long day at work. But I like knowing I can read a book whenever I want, rather then knowing I have to read a specific book by a specific date.

Second, talk a little about what you see in the future for reading, books, or publishing - say 20 years from now. Will we read more or less, will our reading become more interactive? What will happen to traditional publishing? This is a very free-form question, feel free to wildly extrapolate or calmly state facts, as suits your mood!

I don’t see too much change from reading habits now. I think print will still be preferred by most. I think more people compared to now will be reading ebooks as people become more used to technology, especially if ebook devices become more user-friendly. Again, I think print will continue to be more popular.

I found the paragraph about the high point for reading the U.S. very intriguing. It’s not something you think about often, and it makes sense. That is when more and more people began to read, and that is when many public libraries began, including the one I work at which opened in 1896. Reading at this time was also a popular activity (Le Guin 34). Today we have so much more to do in our spare time. So of course people do not read as much as they did or as much as they’d like.

I believe traditional publishing will still be a thing and the route that would be most successful, but I also believe more people will self-publish using the internet. I think people will continue to watch out for the best channels to get their work out there. I see a bright future for independent authors. However, like we discussed in this class, I think self-publishers will have trouble getting their work out there and reviewed compared to traditionally published books.

Work Cited

Le Guin, U. K. (2008). Staying Awake: Notes On The Alleged Decline Of Reading. Harper's Magazine, 316(1893).

Prompt Response Week 15

Marketing The Library's Fiction Collection 


Displays

From experience, displays seem to still be the best way to highlight fiction. A “Bestselling Authors” table, as well as a “Just In” table, are very popular around my library system. Having a fiction display with a theme can help, too. I think the more you can make it stand out the better. At one of the old branches I worked at, we had a horror fiction display with a giant haunted house. It caught the eyes of patrons who entered the building. We added webs and other decorations to the table to make it more cool and eye-catching. I’ve seen lots of awesome displays on Pinterest I would love to try out!

Programs

I am starting a teen book club in August where I plan to display new titles, but also books people mentioned by teens from the previous book club. This would be a combination of fiction and nonfiction, but I have a feeling it will be primarily fiction. If you have a program on a particular subject, it doesn’t hurt to display books near the program that relate to the topic. A book tasting could be a productive program in getting patrons to try out new books. Choose books that just came in recently (preferably put on hold so no one can check them out) for people to sit down and read. If they like the book, they can go find more copies or put one on hold. This allows multiple people a chance to sit down with specific books.

Services

I know I need to do better at talking with patrons as they roam the shelves. At the moment I do not feel confident enough. But that is something I need to get over. You never know who is willing to listen to a few suggestions. Librarians need to be able to approach patrons with confidence and excitement that they can share something interesting about books. We need to be able to describe books in a way that makes the patrons want to go at least pick it up and read the flyleaf for more details, maybe even read the first chapter.

Libraries also need to implement and promote online RA forms so patrons can get recommendations sent to them. Librarians can take the time to evaluate a reader’s interests and compile a list of recommended reads that they, the librarian, could be proud of recommending. I love doing online RA forms and prefer them way more than doing in-person RA.

Better labeling and sings with directions for different collections could help promote genres better. Fiction genres are separated at my library. We have Fiction, Mystery, Western, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Urban, and Romance. When newer patrons come up to the second floor, they do not know where these genres are specifically other than knowing they are on one specific side of the building. Having arrow signs could help better indicate what genres we have sections for as well as where they are located. A problem with this is that people will only think the books they want is in that location (Saricks 138). This is where going up to patrons and speaking with them, or talking them about an online RA form, would be beneficial. By getting to know a user’s interests, you may be able to help them branch out from a genre and help them find appeal factors they like in other genres.


Works Cited

Saricks, J. (2005) Promoting and marketing readers’ advisory collections and services. In Readers’ Advisory Service in the Public Library. Chicago: ALA. 136-160.

Prompt Response Week 14

If I was part of Collection Development, I would not make special sections for any part of the collection. Reason one is if you single out one area, then people may wonder why this or that section is not separated as well. The second reason is that having all the books together promotes discovery of titles or topics they may not have ever considered before. The final reason is because as librarians, we should not treat certain topics as lesser to another topic. We promote the community reading whatever they want.

At my library we have online lists of titles that belong to a certain topic or genre, which we will reference to or print out for patrons who want these specific books. The list is more of a place to get started instead of a list that is thorough and has all the books in our collection that relate to that specific topic.

Regarding the two articles, I won’t lie; I was a bit angered reading through them. The people who wrote the petitions are trying to make themselves look like good people who don’t discriminate, but they are trying to literally label and segregate books because they don’t agree with the topic. There were some lines from the articles that really made me cringe: 

“The petition, which received more than 340 signatures, also asked the library to seek public input before acquiring new materials on LGBTQ topics” (Associated Press).

They want to single out this one topic in order to ban future copies. It’s sickening. The public library houses materials that discuss several backgrounds, faiths, ethnicities, etc. We cannot treat one single topic so negatively. 

"I think that's what most of the people of this town who have multiple kids say, we want to be able to take them to the library, and have them go through stuff, and have them know, 'oh hidden in here is an agenda that is popular, but we as conservative Christians say no, we're not going along with that'," adds Korver.” (Lenzini).

Or, we could keep the books by authors and you just tell your child to not read that author. I have had parents tell me a certain book has bad content in it. If they don’t want their children reading stuff, then they should just be more aware of what they (the children) check out. Don’t single out and make people who want to read that feel like outsiders. They are also making actual LGBTQ people look like outsiders. Would they like it if religious materials were segregated and people in the city were made aware before more copies were ordered? I just don't like it when people force their beliefs on others, and to me this is what all these people are trying to do.

As librarians we should not censor books or treat certain topics as outsiders. People should read what they want. If parents want to control what their kids read, then that is their choice. But we cannot and will not do that.

Works Cited

Associated Press. “Orange City Library to Change How Materials Are Grouped after Complaints on LGBTQ Content.” Des Moines Register, The Des Moines Register, 21 Mar. 2018, www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2018/03/21/library-change-lgbtq-content-grouping-change-orange-city-iowa/445970002/.


Lenzini, Jennifer. “Orange City, IA Public Library to Test Trial-Run of Separately Labeling Books with LGBTQ Themes.” HOME - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports, 20 Mar. 2018, www.ktiv.com/story/37771686/2018/03/Tuesday/orange-city-ia-public-library-to-separately-label-books-with-lgbtq-themes.

Annotation #5: Young Adult

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

by Becky Albertalli 

Release Date: April 7th, 2015

Genre

Young Adult

Appeals of the Book

• Authentic Characters

• Issue Oriented 

• Well-Written

Synopsis

Simon Spier is a normal teen who loves to be with friends, likes to be aware of all the drama happening at his school, and he has a really cool, funny family. However, he has one major secret. Simon is gay, and he’s not ashamed of it. He hasn’t told anyone yet, but he has his reasons. One day he does open up to another gay person he met online, who anonymously goes by the name of Blue. Simon feels like he can be himself when he emails Blue. But one day someone from school discovers Simon’s secret correspondences and blackmails him. Simon must do all he can to make sure his secret is not released to the world.

Characteristics That Fit Into Young Adult

• Main characters are teens and it is centered on them.
• Contemporary setting and time period. Part of the setting takes place at the main character’s high school. Modern references to video games, technology, and music.
• Teen angst situations.
• Teen lifestyle presented, such as the typical teen party with drinking is mentioned, hanging out after school, dealing with and gossiping about school drama. 
• Deals with realistic social issues such as LGTBQ relations.
• Mood ranges from humorous to dark.

Read-A-Likes

Anything Could Happen by Will Walton*

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green*

Read Me Like a Book by Liz Kessler*

At the Edge of the Universe by Shaun David Hutchinson**

The Inside of Out by Jenn Marie Thorne**

* Recommended by NoveList

** Recommended by Kirkus Review

Prompt Response Week 13

I want to start by saying that I love YA books. I love reading them for two reasons. One reason is because I am now a Youth Librarian, I want to read as many YA books as possible so I can do better RA for teens. The second reason is because there are many great YA books out there. If you love a particular genre, the main difference between and adult version of that genre and the teen version, in my opinion, is the age of the character, as well as content.

Graphic novels are great because in addition to reading, you get to look at the art presented in it. The experience of a graphic novel involves both the illustrations and text, which has inspired many teens at my library to want to do art. The same influence can happen on an adult. Graphic novels are generally short and sweet, and many are part of a series. If teens rather read this than traditional literature, then fine. If adults want to read this, I am for that, too. Some classic literature are in graphic novel format, as well as graphic novels on historical people and events, so if teens rather read that then who am I to stop them?

As librarians, we should encourage people to read. We already do not censor people from accessing information, so we should always be open and ready to help adults find whatever they want, even if that includes teen titles. Perhaps adults looking for teen novels are parents who want to see what kind of content is in books to see if their teen is ready to read it. One way I hope to allow adults to not feel weird while browsing teen titles is when my library undergoes renovation in the next few years, I want the teens to have their own enclosed hangout space, but have the teen titles outside of their space. This way, adults do not feel like they are intruding or feel awkward. If adults still feel awkward, I would approach them and help them like normal. I don’t want to give them an impression that I think it’s weird they are looking for teen books.

I personally love reading realistic YA fiction. I want to know what books are certain social issues are out there so that I can recommend them to teens who are in need of it. I also love reading graphic novels. Sometimes you need a quick read.

Prompt Response Week 12

Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War That Changed American History

by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger

Released: December 25th, 2015

 Readers Advisory Matrix

1. Where is the book on the narrative continuum?

It is a mix of highly fact-based and a narrative. It includes many quotes from letters of the people involved, as well as descriptions of the events based on sources left behind. Overall, the author combines everything to read like a fiction novel.   

2. What is the subject of the book?

The United States involvement in the Tripoli War in the early 1800s. 

3. What type of book is it?

Historical narrative. 

4. Articulate appeal

- What is the pacing of the book?

The pacing is fast due to several events with lots of action. 

- Describe the characters in the book.

The characters are a mix of military and political figures, such as John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, as well as rulers from the northern African countries.  

- How does the story feel?

Exciting and gripping. It feels like an adventure, action novel. There are plenty of battles to excite the reader.

- What is the intent of the author?

To educate readers on a forgotten war in American History, especially a war that made more people aware of the power of the United States. 

- What is the focus of the story?

The focus is America’s attempt at freeing captured Americans by Mediterranean pirates, as well as loosening their grip of the Mediterranean sea. 

- Does the language matter? 

Yes. Language in historical nonfiction can make or break a book. This book is easy to read compared to many more academically-written historical books. 

- Is the setting important and well described?

The setting is important because it takes place in the late 18th century, early 19th century. The physical setting is far away from the United States, which is important at that time in United States History.

- Are there details and, if so, of what?

The author is descriptive of society in the northern African countries who are at the center of this book. It is important to understand why the United States had conflict with these countries, and why they had to be cautious of the decisions they made. 

- Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials? Are they useful and clear?

There are no charts, but there are images of the characters, places, events, and ships involved in the story.  

- Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience?

Yes. Readers will learn about this forgotten war, understand why the U.S. had conflict with these pirates, and experience how early naval battles for the United States occurred. 

5. What would a reader enjoy this book (rank appeal)?

- Action

- Great cast of Characters

- Fast-paced

Prompt Response Week 11

When it comes to ebooks and audiobooks, the vibe of Readers Advisory certainly does change.

A job I used to have at my library was a Library Technician, which consisted of me helping patrons with all technological issues and situations. I only worked on Friday and Saturday, and I had appointments with patrons who needed help learning a device or downloading our digital distributors OverDrive and Hoopla. Before this position I did not know how to access ebooks or how the apps worked. I taught myself how to use it so I can teach my patrons. This has helped me understand how ebooks worked and why they appeal to readers. This being said, I have no issue accessing ebooks and understanding how they work. I can find authors for patrons easily.

But the main problem is that many of those patrons I helped were older patrons who had a hard time using technology. It was sad when I found a book someone wanted, or a book I recommended, but all we had was a digital version. Even when people have devices, both the devices and users are of different age and capacity, so even if they wanted ebooks and could access them, the look and feel of the ebook experience may be difficult to grasp.

I remember one time I had a patron ask for books by an author we do not have because they are ebook-only. However, the patron did not know what that meant. I had to explain that we had no way of accessing their work. I was reminded of this moment reading the article “E-books and Readers’ Advisory” by Katie Dunneback. It discussed how some publishing companies won’t sell to libraries, whereas some are. One of those companies that is doing this is “Carina Press [which] has made a splash in the romance genre with authors already popular in the e-book market as well as authors with print publishing histories” (Dunneback 327).

I have yet to have someone ask me for ebook-specific recommendations (on purpose) because I have not read an ebook (although on March 22nd I began reading my first one. I am rereading The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom), and I am completely unaware of ebook-only authors. At one library branch I worked at I had a couple regular patrons who discussed ebook authors often. They commented that they love how there are so many books they can read for free or cheap because these authors release their work independently and are unknown. It would be extremely hard to know much about ebook authors since I am not exposed to them regularly. Even though I have not read many physical books by popular authors, I at least know books by them and what genre they usually write.

I also do not listen to audiobooks. I do not know if there are people who narrate several books, or how long a typical CD lasts, etc. I also do not know how to tell if a narrator does voices for each character or not. This is apparently a major appeal according to the article “Reading with Your Ears: Readers' Advisory and Audio Books” by Katie Mediatore. (Mediatore 319). I know how to look up most of this information for patrons, but I cannot offer personal recommendations or input on the format. Currently I suggest audiobooks to parents with children who do not like to read. If we have both the book and audiobook available, I recommended both to use at the same time.

I feel like someone reading me a book would take away from the experience. I would like to read it in my own voice, imagining all the character’s voices how I interpret them. Personally I wouldn’t mind listening to an audiobook for a book I’ve already read.

Work Cited:

Dunneback, Katie and Barry Trott. "E-Books and Readers' Advisory." Reference & User Services Quarterly, vol. 50, no. 4, Summer2011, pp. 325-329. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lls&AN=503017488&site=ehost-live.

Mediatore, Kaite. "Reading with Your Ears: Readers' Advisory and Audio Books." Reference & User Services Quarterly, vol. 42, no. 4, Summer2003, pp. 318-323. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lls&AN=502907815&site=ehost-live.