1. Reader’s Advisory Work 610:540 – References Sources and Services Fall 2010

2. Common RA Questions  Can you recommend a good book to read?  What have you read lately that’s good?  I just read Jodi Picoult’s book, My Sister’s Keeper, and loved it. Can you recommend another one like it?

3. The Reader’s Advisory Interview  Ask the person to tell about a book that he or she has recently read and enjoyed.  The librarian can listen for appeal factors such as whether a person may like plot- or character-driven books, contemporary or historical or fantastic settings, etc.  The librarian can also listen for rejection factors.

4. Common Mistakes in the RA Encounter  Poor interpersonal communication such as losing eye contact  Inappropriate OPAC use – resorting to an OPAC before talking to the reader and consulting RA reference tools  Query avoidance and lack of follow-up

5. Appeal factors  Pacing – way reader moves through story  Character – how characters relate to each other and reader  Story line – theme/plot  Frame – setting, tone, atmosphere

6. Whole library approach to RA  Can use non-fiction as well as fiction in RA  Can use non-print materials as well as print such as audio books  Can develop reading maps Neal Wyatt Oak Park Public Library

7. Reader’s Advisory Reference Tools  Use reference tools  Provide an answer that is supported by authoritative sources  Do not just rely on personal reading

8. RA Tools (8 of the Top 10)  NoveList/Book Index to Reviews NoveList/Book Index to Reviews  Genreflecting Reader’s Advisor OnlineReader’s Advisor Online  All Readers All Readers  Book Spot Book Spot  Early Word Early Word  Fiction DB Fiction DB  Fiction_L Fiction_L  AudioFile Magazine AudioFile Magazine

9. Patron X, Y, Z  Patron X: romances Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts: reading about the cakes and contemporary setting  Patron Y: mysteries The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson: suspenseful with intricate plot  Patron Z: fantasy Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling: use of magic and character development (coming of age)

10. Keeping Current  For romances - Romantic Times Book Reviews and Romance Writers of AmericaRomantic Times Book ReviewsRomance Writers of America  For science fiction, fantasy and horror - Locus and SF Site LocusSF Site  For mysteries - Deadly PleasuresDeadly Pleasures

11. RA Tools (Librarians only…)  What’s Next: shows series What’s Next  What Should I Read Next?: makes lists What Should I Read Next?  Reading Group Guides: select titles Reading Group Guides  Blogs Papercuts: NY Times Blog, browsing Papercuts RA for All: genres/themes listed RA for All Citizen Reader: genres/themes listed Citizen Reader

12. Movie Advisory Tools  Movies Downers Grove Library All Watchers (also has a Readers Advisory component) All Watchers