Readers' advisory service in the public library

336 Pages·1997·0.81 MB·English

by  Joyce G. Saricks

Readers' Advisory Service in the Public
title:
Library ALA Editions
author: Saricks, Joyce G.; Brown, Nancy
ALA Editions of the American Library
publisher:
Association
isbn10 | asin: 0838907113
print isbn13: 9780838907115
ebook isbn13: 9780585318394
language: English
Readers' advisory services--United States,
subject Public libraries--Reference services--United
States, Fiction in libraries--United States.
publication date: 1997
lcc: Z711.4.S24 1997eb
ddc: 025.5/2774
Readers' advisory services--United States,
subject: Public libraries--Reference services--United
States, Fiction in libraries--United States.
Page i
Readers' Advisory Service in the Public Library
SECOND EDITION
Joyce G. Saricks and Nancy Brown
Page ii
While extensive effort has gone into ensuring the reliability of
information appearing in this book, the publisher makes no warranty,
express or implied, as to the accuracy or reliability of the information,
and does not assume and hereby disclaims any liability to any person
for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions in this
publication.
Project editor: Jean Roberts
Cover design by Tessing Design
Text design by Dianne M. Rooney
Composition by Charles Bozett in Stone Serif and Frutiger using
QuarkXPress 3.32 on a Macintosh IIcx, System 7.1
Printed on 50-pound Writers Natural, a pH-neutral stock, and bound
in 10-point coated cover stock by McNaughton & Gunn
The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements
of American National Standard for Information SciencesPermanence
of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI Z39.48-1992.¥
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Saricks, Joyce G.
Readers' advisory service in the public library /
Joyce G. Saricks, Nancy Brown. 2nd ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and indexes.
ISBN 0-8389-0711-3 (alk. paper)
1. Reader guidance-United States. 2. Public libraries
Reference services-United States. 3. Fiction in libraries.
I. Brown, Nancy, 1940- . II. Title.
Z711.4.S24 1997
025.5'2774-dc21 97-14211
Copyright © 1997 by Joyce G. Saricks. All rights reserved except
those which may be granted by Sections 107 and 108 of the Copyright
Revision Act of 1976.
Printed in the United States of America.
01 00 99 98 97 5 4 3 2 1
Page iii
To Art, Kim, and Greg
for all the joy you have
and do give me
NB
To Chris, Brendan,
and Margaret,
who believed I could
and should do this
and were willing
to wait while I did
JS
Page v
Contents
Preface v
Acknowledgments vii
1 1
A History and Introduction
2 11
Reference Sources
3 35
Articulating a Book's Appeal
4 56
The Readers' Advisory Interview
5 83
The Background Readers' Advisors Need in Popular
Fiction
6 106
Promotion
7 128
Training
Bibliography 149
Appendix Popular Fiction List 151
Indexes
Fiction Author Index 155
Subject Index 157

Page vii
Preface
In the years since Readers' Advisory Service in the Public Library was
first published in 1989, the library profession has experienced a
dramatic increase in interest in this topic and in the way it is taught in
library schools and practiced in public libraries across the country.
Changes in practices, increased availability of tools, expanded
knowledge of and interest in the topic, and questions from librarians
convinced me that practitioners and educators would welcome a new,
updated and expanded edition.
In this edition, we have added material in several areas. The important
discussion of appeal, a section of chapter 4 in the first edition, now
has its own chapter. The section on genre study has been greatly
enlarged to reflect our growing understanding of techniques that work
for us in this crucial area. A chapter on training has been added and, in
order to help clarify concepts, many more specific examples of
authors have been included throughout the book. The philosophy
behind this revision remains consistent with that of the first edition.
The aim is to introduce the user to the materials, skills, and
philosophy of readers' advisory service. This book offers suggestions
of techniques, rather than being prescriptive, and all material included
supports a nonjudgmental, patron-oriented, skill-based readers'
advisory service. As did the first edition, this revision offers topics for
discussion, techniques to be modified to fit an individual library's
service needs, and a philosophical basis for creating and adapting
readers' advisory service.
Page ix
Acknowledgments
I wish to acknowledge the continuing support of the Downers Grove
Public Library in promoting readers' advisory, especially Library
Director Christopher Bowen, who has pushed us to continue growing
and expanding our service; Assistant Director Jamie Buckovac,
herself a former readers' advisor, who still enjoys working our desk;
and the Library Board of Directors, who both use and support the
service. The current Readers' Advisory StaffLora Bruggeman, Sheila
Guenzer, Lynn McCullagh, Sue O'Brien, Rebecca Townsend, Terri
Williams, and Carol Yarmolichhave not only challenged and inspired
me; they have also read and reacted to drafts of this manuscript. For
their dedication, willingness to try anything (and make it work!), faith
in the goals of readers' advisory, friendship, and love of books and
reading and the pleasure of sharing these, I am grateful.
Special thanks go to three tireless and dedicated readers, Sue O'Brien,
Duncan Smith, and Chris Saricks. The first two offered suggestions
from the perspective of professionals and experienced readers'
advisors; Chris offered advice as an outsider and user of the service.
Their meticulous readings and creative suggestions have been greatly
valued and appreciated.
Special thanks also go to the reference staff of the Westmont Public
Library, who always were able to book me into one of their study
rooms where I could escape the world, and to Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart, whose music really did inspire me and keep me awake, even
on days when I thought I could not write.