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Readers' Advisory
What is Readers’ Advisory?
- Finding the right book for the right person at the right time.
- Helping readers find the best, most enjoyable reading that matches their needs,
interests, and reading level.
- Connecting readers and authors/writers.
Readers’ Advisory Skills
- Willingness to read widely to become familiar with genres both fiction and non-fiction.
- Knowledge of patrons.
- Understanding the appeal of books and the factors that affect that appeal.
- Mastery of the readers’ advisory interview.
Goals of a Readers’ Advisor
- Help readers find books of interest to them.
- Understand what readers are looking for.
- Develop an appreciation of the role that “stories” play in their lives.
Readers’ advisory interview
The readers’ advisory interview uses the same welcoming behaviors as the reference
interview. Approachability is the key. Use appropriate body language and make sure patrons
understand you have time to talk books and reading with them.
The open question varies in the readers’ advisory interview from the reference
interview. In the readers’ advisory interview, you are trying to engage the patron in
a conversation that elicits a broad set of information about their reading interests and
habits. The two phrases you can use are:
“Tell me about a book you read that you really enjoyed.”
“Tell me the story of the last book you enjoyed.”
These will elicit the information you need from the patron to appropriately suggest
books that match their needs and interests. Here are some categories to watch for as you
try to gauge and match their interests.
- Genre: Does the patron enjoy mysteries, biographies, or romance novels?
- Setting: Where is the story set? One city or around the world? Outdoors?
- Time: When is the story taking place? Past, present, future?
- Length: Does the patron like short stories or epic novels?
- Hero: Is the main character innocent or sophisticated? One hero or many?
- Plot: Does the story have a point? A definite beginning and end?
- Pacing: Does the author move the story with action or dialogue?
- Subject: What or who is the book ultimately about?
Readers enjoy books for many reasons. Some become connected to a particular type of
story or genre. Some enjoy one genre, such as mysteries, but only if they are set in a
particular country, such as English mysteries. They may need a particular setting, such as
mountains or small towns, or need a particular subject in the background, such as
horseracing, to pique their interest.
Almost all readers go through periods of change in their reading habits as they move
through life. Assuming that your regular patrons only want one type of reading material
year after year limits them and you in achieving their reading goals.
Some of the best ways to improve your skills in readers’ advisory are to keep a
record of your own reading, browse the new book shelves and best seller lists regularly,
and set a goal of doing at least one readers’ advisory interview each reference
shift.
Hints and Tips for Readers’ Advisory
- Browse with the patron – be among the books as you move along in the readers’
advisory interview to allow them time to look over new materials.
- Find the common thread in their reading habits and don’t be afraid to suggest books
outside their normal genre or subject if you see a connection.
- SUGGEST books, don’t recommend. Recommending books means that you are endorsing
them, or creating the illusion that you know a “good” book from a
“bad” book. When you suggest, you are letting the patron make a choice without
feeling pressure from the “expert.”
- Let the patron say “No” and don’t feel like a failure when they do. When
a patron doesn’t like a particular suggestion, you can gain valuable information.
- Watch for easily misunderstood phrases like “good literature” or
“classics.” Some readers think Stephen King is a classic writer, while others
will disdain any popular author.
- Use a follow up question like “Be sure to let us know how you liked the book."
or "Are there any other books I can help you find."
Key Behaviors
- Talk books at the reference desk with other staff so patrons can feel comfortable asking
for help. Patrons will hear you and respond with questions of their own.
- Be prepared for a discussion and for personal questions – Remember, in these cases
the patron is not your friend, but your customer. However, there is more of a social
connection with reading, especially for pleasure, than with searching for information, so
be prepared to have patrons ask about your reading habits. A general response like “I
enjoy all types of books, that’s why I work in a library. Let’s see if we can
find something for you” is usually effective.
- Use displays for attracting attention (new books, genres, formats).
- Be VERY careful when suggesting books in a series. Some patrons love series, and some do
not. Make sure if you are suggesting the first book in a trilogy that you tell the patron
about the series. Or, if you suggest a book out of order in a series, make sure the patron
knows how it fits into the larger series. Some series books can be read in any order, and
some need sequence in order to make sense.
- Encourage patrons to select more than one book. Patrons usually need several choices
once they get home to make sure they have a successful reading experience. Choosing more
than one item will encourage them to experiment.
The key to successful readers’ advisory services is to have a commitment to
serving readers in the library. A responsive attitude and maintaining a neutral stance on
the “quality” of an individual’s reading habits will encourage good
readers’ advisory interviews. Be aware of popular titles and hot topics, and
understand that there are many tools to help you along the way.
Return to Module 1, Community Information Needs |
The readers’ advisory interview uses the same welcoming behaviors
as the reference interview. Approachability is the key. Use appropriate body language and
make sure patrons understand you have time to talk books and reading with them.
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