1. Pushing Reading: Building a Readers’ Services Department
Kaite Stover
Director of Readers’ Services
The Kansas City Public Library

2. Who serves the readers? Reference Staff Circulation Staff
Children’s Staff

3. A Reader’s Services Department Needs
Mission
People
Goals
Services

4. 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.

5. Who is served by Readers’ Services?
Library Staff
Library Users

6. Goals for Readers’ Services
Increase awareness of Readers’ Services*
Increase use of Readers’ Service*
*Sample goals. Add others.

7. 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

8. 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

9. Action Steps Support from Director and Managers Support from Staff
Training for Staff
Readers Services plan for staff
Promotion of Reader Services to users

10. Basic Training for Staff
Online catalog
Placing holds
Collection locations
Library website
Using databases/websites
Talking to patrons 

11. 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

12. Challenges
Staff
Time
Budget
Resources

13. Results Engaged, enthusiastic, informed staff
Engaged, loyal library users
Increased use of collections and services
Increased attendance for programs and events

14. 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

15. For your reading consideration

18. More Information kaitestover.pbworks.com/
Professional Presentations 2016SLIS Info 220: Readers’ Advisory Genres & Techniques