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The RA Potential An Introduction to Readers’ Advisory: Reaction, Resource, Possibility

Discover the nuances of Readers' Advisory (RA) in this workshop funded by the Massachusetts Library System. Topics include defining RA, preparing for requests, resources, practical applications, and more. Learn the art of active engagement, suggesting over recommending, and valuable preparation tips to enhance customer service. From defining RA to exploring passive vs. active RA methods, this introduction by Leane M. Ellis is a must for all librarians aiming to excel in book suggestions.

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The RA Potential An Introduction to Readers’ Advisory: Reaction, Resource, Possibility

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  1. The RA PotentialAn Introduction to Readers’ Advisory:Reaction, Resource, Possibility This workshop is presented and funded by the Massachusetts Library System (MLS). May 2019

  2. Agenda • Define RA for you. • Explain why we should care. • Suggest how you can prepare for the RA request. The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  3. Agenda • When and how you should answer the request. • When and how you should suggest the patron go to someone better equipped to respond to the question in more depth. The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  4. Agenda • Resources that can help you. • Conversation on practical application. • Q & A throughout workshop • Epilogue: Final reactions and concerns The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  5. Defining Readers’ Advisory TELLING VS LISTENING The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  6. RULE #1 LISTEN The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  7. Reaction, Resource, Possibility DEFINITION OF RA • Reaction Resource Possibility • A good RA librarian reacts to the reader’s desire by being a resource that provides possibilities. The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  8. WHY SHOULD WE CARE? • It is just plain good ol’ customer service. • We provide book suggestions to people all the time, so why not do it well? The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  9. DS DEFINITION His or her favorite author’s latest book (Duncan Smith, the creator of NoveList, 4/03) The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  10. DS DEFINITION They want the Library to own that title. (Duncan Smith, the creator of NoveList, 4/03) The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  11. DS DEFINITION Library has it on shelf. (Duncan Smith, the creator of NoveList, 4/03) The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  12. DS DEFINITION Definition of browse: Looking without a clear definition. Sometimes the reader needs us to help them define what they are looking for. (Duncan Smith, the creator of NoveList, 4/03) The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  13. Saricks’ Recommend Vs Suggest • “Recommend is a word fraught with unintended meaning and emotion. Recommending places us in the role of expert saying, ‘Take this book; it is good for you.’ Suggesting, on the other hand, makes us partners with readers in exploring various directions they might want to pursue.” The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  14. DS ROLES 1.) Get Books in people’s hands. 2.) Help readers understand what they are looking for. 3.) Support readers in valuing their own experience—validate! (Duncan Smith, the creator of NoveList, 4/03) The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  15. Passive Vs. Active Readers’ Advisory • Booklists, displays, websites are passive. • Active RA is all about the RA interview. • Engagement between reader & the story. The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  16. RULE #2 SOMETHING IS BETTER THAN NOTHING The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  17. RULE #3 IT IS NOT ABOUT ME The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  18. SUGGESTIONS ON PREPARATION • Throw away the concept that you cannot suggest a book unless you have read it. • Cultivate the resources that are at hand. The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  19. SUGGESTIONS ON PREPARATION • Book review journals, newspapers & popular magazines. Read as many reviews on each book as you can. • Books on Genres like Romance & Mystery • Electronic Databases like NoveList • Web Resources like Fantastic Fiction. The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  20. SUGGESTIONS ON PREPARATION Prepared lists: • If You Like… lists • Sure-Bet lists The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  21. If You Like…List Example If You Like Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code… Explain the list to your Reader. The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  22. If You Like Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code… It is very difficult to match this complex thriller exactly. There are so many possibilities that may appeal to the reader: Is it the religious conspiracy? The historical aspect? The Divine Feminine? The espionage? The heart-pounding suspense and action? This list contains some titles in each category. The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  23. If You Like Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code… TITLE EXAMPLE: Religious Conspiracy Berry, Steve. The Templar Legacy. (2006) Former secret agent Cotton Malone must solve the mystery of 14th century Templar riches and secrets before an evil cabal prevails. The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  24. Sure-Bet List Example Sure-Bet Thrillers Explain the list to your Reader. The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  25. Sure-Bet Thrillers Thriller Buzz Words: Suspense; page-turner; heart-pounding action; rollercoaster ride of a plot; can’t put the book down, main character uses wits and skills to battle a foe. Could also have components of Mystery, Romance & Horror. The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  26. Sure-Bet Thrillers TITLE EXAMPLE: David Baldacci’s Absolute Power. In this political tango involving the President of the US, a wealthy campaign contributor’s wife is found murdered. Excellent intro to this author who is a first-rate storyteller and grabs the reader by the lapels and won’t let go until the end of this enthralling tale. The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  27. SUGGESTIONS ON PREPARATION • Staff & Patrons • Ruthlessly pick their brains & file the information away. • Develop a method to remember what patrons tell you about books—this is one of your greater resources. The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  28. SUGGESTIONS ON PREPARATION • Develop a method for remembering what you have read—titles & reviews. The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  29. SPREADSHEET EXAMPLE Author: Griffiths, Elly Title: The Stranger Diaries Genre: Suspense Appeal: CH/PACE/PLOT Notes: gothic ghost story woven into modern murder spree/3 URN/great lit allusions Date read: 3/23/19 List worthy: Y Series: SA The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  30. SUGGESTIONS ON PREPARATION • Learn to describe a book briefly: Less Plot More Appeal The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  31. SUGGESTIONS ON PREPARATION • Practice reflection: Talk to people • Frequent forums such as Fiction-L The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  32. SUGGESTIONS ON PREPARATION • Learn what different authors write—their genre, their styles, their pace, their complexity. • Discover awareness of a book’s appeal and its general quality. The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  33. READER’S ADVISORY BY UNSHELVED The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  34. Appeal Factors • Appeal captures what a reader likes about one book and translates those factors to a wide range of other title/author possibilities. • Pacing, Characterization, Story Line, Language, Setting, Detail, Tone, Subject, Type, and Format. The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  35. Appeal Factors • Pacing describes how it feels to move through the story arc of the book. Fast, Leisurely, Measured The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  36. Appeal Factors • Characterization describes the types of characters and how the reader is intended to respond to them. Quirky, Introspective, Set or Faceted The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  37. Appeal Factors • Story Line captures the impact of the story line on the feel of the book; the plot, levels to the narrative. Popular, Literary, Cinematic, Issue Oriented The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  38. Appeal Factors • Language describes the importance placed on writing and style. Lyrical, Sharp, Prosaic The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  39. Appeal Factors • Setting captures the extent to which location of a book is important to the experience of the book. Time & Place. (aka Frame) Evocation, Lush, Immersed, Well described The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  40. Appeal Factors • Detail describes the richness of the interior life of the book. Shopping, Battles, Architecture The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  41. Appeal Factors • Tone describes how a reader feels when reading and captures the experience the author created. Dark, Bleak, Suspenseful, Comforting, Light The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  42. Appeal Factors • Subject is what the book is about—a driving factor in nonfiction and some fiction. • Theme String Theory, Arctic Exploration, King Arthur The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  43. Appeal Factors • Type describes the genre of the book and addresses reader response. Memoir, Romance, Mystery, Biography • Format—Ebook, audio, paper The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  44. Appeal Factors The RA librarian is asking themselves while they are reading a book or reviewing an author: What is it about this book that would appeal to another reader? The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  45. The RA PotentialAn Introduction to Readers’ Advisory:Reaction, Resource, Possibility This workshop is presented and funded by the Massachusetts Library System (MLS). May 2019

  46. GENRES REMEMBER… Genre is a literary construct used by publishers, book sellers, and libraries to categorize and simplify the story universe. The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  47. GENRES • As RA Librarians we need to remember that our reader defines their story’s appeal and genre for us. • Use this information to educate yourself not correct or judge the reader. The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  48. ADRENALINE GENRES • Adventure • Suspense • Thrillers Romantic Suspense not listed in 3rd ed. Subgenre for both Romance and Suspense The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  49. ADRENALINE GENRES • Pacing drives these stories which often take place in a limited time frame. • Action starts on the first page—sometimes in a prologue which sets up the story—and continues relentlessly until the final twist. The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

  50. The Readers' Advisory Potential; Leane M. Ellis, 2019

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