Pushing Reading: Building a Readers’ Services Department Kaite Stover Director of Readers’ Services The Kansas City Public Library
Who serves the readers? Reference Staff Circulation Staff Children’s Staff
A Reader’s Services Department Needs Mission People Goals Services
The Mission of Readers’ Services The _____ Library supports, encourages, and promotes reading as a pleasurable activity to the Library community through Library collections, services, programs, and events.* *Example.
Who is served by Readers’ Services? Library Staff Library Users
Goals for Readers’ Services Increase awareness of Readers’ Services* Increase use of Readers’ Service* *Sample goals. Add others.
Services Actual Virtual Patron Visits Patron Holds Reading Lists Book Clubs Community Visits Events Author visits, reading programs, community visits Virtual Library website Digital services Databases Blogs Social Media
Actions Bring Library staff together and talk about Reader Services Identify and inventory current library services List all ideas for new services Trim list to top 5 ideas List resources needed: money, staff, time, training
Action Steps Support from Director and Managers Support from Staff Training for Staff Readers Services plan for staff Promotion of Reader Services to users
Basic Training for Staff Online catalog Placing holds Collection locations Library website Using databases/websites Talking to patrons
More Training for Staff Leading book clubs Making reading lists Writing book descriptions/blog posts Using social media Teach Library users Use online catalog Place holds Library collection Readers’ databases
Challenges Staff Time Budget Resources
Results Engaged, enthusiastic, informed staff Engaged, loyal library users Increased use of collections and services Increased attendance for programs and events
What you need NOW Read widely, diversely, in all formats Pay attention to popular culture news Tie what you see in the news to reading i.e. Stranger Things reading list, Arnold Palmer golf books list, divorce reading for Brad & Angelina, election reading Talk about books—in person (this includes strangers!) & social Read reviews ‘cause you can’t read everything Keep current with book/publishing news
For your reading consideration
More Information kaitestover.pbworks.com/ Professional Presentations 2016SLIS Info 220: Readers’ Advisory Genres & Techniques