Readers’ Advisory Resources

Do you feel lost when a patron asks for a reading recommendation outside of genres you enjoy? Do you need help when advising readers of all ages? We hope this helps! These resources should leave you feeling confident when patrons ask for recommendations, even when they are way outside of the genres you’re familiar with!

Assessment

When helping a patron choose a book to read, you want to assess the characteristics of the book they are looking for and what the patron is in the mood for. You should offer your assistance to visitors, don’t just wait for them to ask you. Many people don’t know they can ask the library staff for recommendations, or are too shy. You want to listen and ask the right questions to build on, rather than suggesting right away. Using the walk to the stacks or the catalogue to have these conversations makes for good flow. Here are some book characteristics to assess what might appeal to a patron:

Joyce Sarick’s Appeal Factors: Pacing, characterization, storyline, frame (setting), style (language), tone (mood).
Mood & Material – Right book at the right time, length, size, and acclaim.
Story types: complex, plot driven, multiple plotlines, plot twists, issue-oriented, open-ended, and straightforward.

Practice identifying the appeal factors with self-assessment and noting appeal language in reviews.

Questions to ask while assessing a patron:

What’s a book you’ve read and enjoyed?
What authors and series have you enjoyed?
What movies or TV shows do you like?
What are you in the mood for?

Ask your patron to give a review to you when they return the book, so you can learn from the experience.

Merchandising

Using your library’s physical space is an effective way to connect your patrons to their next great read. The best locations for showing off your collection are at the entrance to your library, the end of stacks, in high traffic areas, and near the circulation desk. Topics can include themes, genres, read-a-likes, staff picks, current programming topics, or another connection. Book displays can also be in the stacks, having room at the end of a shelf to do an outward facing book or two can really help with circulation. Publishers spend big bucks making eye-catching titles, so use them to your advantage! Make sure you are keeping your displays fresh – use books in good condition and swap out frequently. When books get checked out, make sure to replace them quickly.

Keeping up with books and trends

There are over 1,000,000 new books published in North America every year – that’s just overwhelming. Keeping up with new book trends can seem daunting, but if you break it into small pieces of information on a daily basis, it becomes much more manageable. Here are some newsletters you can subscribe to stay updated to get reviews and information at regular intervals.

Libraries in Focus Newsletter
Bookriot Newsletter

Read Alberta Books Newsletter

Penguin Random House

NPR

Simon & Schuster Newsletter

Know Other Staff Strengths

If you are familiar with the genres that other staff at your library enjoy, you can use it to your advantage when helping patrons. Either by chatting books with them, or finding them when you’re in need!