Secret Shopper Assignment

I went to a local library system that I have a card for but I have never used it yet, so I know no one will recognize me. I decided I wanted to try a couple different librarians to see how similar they find books for patrons, but I also tried a few different methods of interacting with library staff. Because I work for a library, I had a sense of how my interactions could be. I anticipated them asking what I’ve read lately, what genres I normally look for, and what books I did not enjoy, etc.

The young librarian at the desk asked me what I was in the mood to read, to which I replied with “I don’t know exactly. I want something new to read though.” They walked me over to the new books, which felt like a way to abandon me there to find a book on my own, but they eventually took me back to the computer to find something. I can see they were using NoveList. They asked me what I read lately that I liked, and I replied with Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, as well as why I liked the book. They didn’t really ask me too many questions about what I want in a book. In the end, they suggested For The Win by Cory Doctorow. I later looked up Ready Player One on NoveList and noticed For the Win was the first title listed under read-alikes. However, looking at the reviews and description it was pretty much what I was looking for, so job well done I’d say! I still wonder if they looked at all the choices. I wish they had asked me more questions, as well as gave more of a reason as to why I should consider their suggestion.

I decided to hang around the library a while to see if I could ask someone else for suggestions. There was an older librarian roaming the stacks. I was in the science fiction section. They came up to me and asked if there is a specific book I was looking for today. I told them I was looking for a new science fiction book to read. They asked me what I have read lately, just like the last staff member had done. I told them I really enjoyed Ready Player One and why I loved it. Unlike the first time, I told this staff member I really enjoyed that Ready Player One appeals to a wide audience, meaning both people who grew up in the 1980s would enjoy the pop culture references, and it also appeals to video game lovers like myself. They looked at the shelf and I could tell they were looking for a specific book. They asked, “Do you mind sci-fi with a love story in it, or do you prefer mostly the epic action of the story?” I told them it does not matter to me. I commented how Ready Player One had a love story happening and I didn’t mind. They suggested The Impossible Fortress by Jason Rekulak. I liked this recommendation for a few reasons. Having used NoveList on many occasions, especially on the page for Ready Player One, I knew this book was listed as one of the read-alikes. Therefore, it was a relevant title. Second, this is the same book my former coworker, who I highly respect and consider the Yoda of Readers Advisory, suggested to me. I would definitely go back to this librarian for more suggestions. 

Although I had a great experience, as a patron, I prefer to stay away from in-person RA interviews. With an RA form filled out online or in person, I would like the librarian or RA committee to commit time and effort to finding relatable reads without being pressured too much or in a hurry (Hollands 211). The RA Committee at my library sends me RA forms to complete and I much prefer doing this than answering in-person questions (although I am happy to do both). With forms you can suggest various titles. Both librarians I spoke with only suggested one title each. Receiving one title feels more like a recommendation because this is the book they found for you. Suggesting more books is like saying, “I don’t know what you like exactly, but here are a few titles with bits of what you like.” Suggesting more shows you really thought hard about what the patron wants, and if they later read and find out these titles are close to what they wanted, they will come back to you.

Works Cited

Hollands, Neil. "Improving the Model for Interactive Readers' Advisory Service." Reference & User Services Quarterly 45.3 (2006): 205-12. ProQuest. Web. 2 Feb. 2018.