LIBREF-L http://www.library.kent.edu/page/10391

PUBLIB. http://lists.webjunction.org/publib/

RUSA-L http://www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaprotools/rusadisclists/electronicdiscussion.htm

Stumpers-L http://domin.dom.edu/depts/gslis/stumpers/

Print and Web

ACRL Blog. http://acrlblog.org/. Feb 15 2006

Burd, Peter. Ref Grunt. http://refgrunt.blogspot.com/. Feb 15 2006.

Dilevko, Juris and Lisa Gottleib. Reading and the Reference Librarian. MCFarland, 2004.

Hernon, Peter and Ellen Altman. Assessing Service Quality: Satisfying the expectations of library customers. ALA Editions, 1998.

Hirko, Buff and Mary Bucher Ross. Virtual Reference Training: the Complete Guide to Providing Anytime, Anywhere, Answers. ALA, 2004.

Mabry, Celia Hales. Doing the Work of Reference: Practical Tips for Excelling as a Reference Librarian. Haworth Information Press, 2001.

Minkel, Walter & Roxanne Hsu Feldman. Delivering Web Reference Services to Young People. ALA Editions, 1998.

Radical Reference. http://www.radicalreference.info/. Feb 15 2006.

“Reference Services and Information Literacy.” Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki. http://www.libsuccess.org/index.php?title=Main_Page#Reference_Services_and_Information_Literacy. Feb 15 2006.

Ross, Cathering Sheldrick, Kirsti Nilsen and Patricia Dewdney. Conducting the Reference Interview: A How to do it manual for librarians. Neal Schuman, 2002.

RUSA. Reference Guidelines. http://www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaprotools/referenceguide/Default2277.htm. Feb 15 2006.

Thomsen, Elizabeth. Rethinking Reference. Neal Schuman, 1999.

Free Online Reference Resources

Internet Public Library . http://www.ipl.org/ Feb 15 2006.
Subject collections and ready reference sites online.

Librarians' Internet Index . http://lii.org/ Feb 15 2006.
16,000 websites.

Virtual Learning Resources Center . http://www.virtuallrc.com/ Feb 15 2006.
50,000 academic information pages

Wikipedia . http://www.wikipedia.org. Feb 15 2006.
Over 1 million articles in English alone.

READERS ADVISORY

READER'S ADVISORY AS REFERENCE INTERVIEW: The Lazy Librarian Method of Reader’s Advisory: Put the patron to work!

1. Through a conversation, ask about appeal characteristics
2. Verify type of book and quality
3. Validate reader by listening to them
4. Use words like “might,” or “could” NOT “should” or “will”
5. Request feedback to build relationships; the measure of success is the return customer

Tips for Successful Reader’s Advisory:

• Have a plan and evaluate delivery of Reader’s Advisory Services. Goal: develop relationships!
• Cultivate a collection of resources: print, electronic, & Internet.
• Try social software for recommendations, i.e. Amazon
• Search for “If you like" library websites – Google a title or author with the word “Readalikes”
• Respond to requests for Reader’s Advisory. Communicate your desire to help.
• Train staff in genres to increase circulation in a particular area; there is an LSTA Grant for Reader’s Advisory! Circ staff and shelving pages are in the best position for Reader’s Advisory.
• You CAN recommend books you haven't read--it’s called making suggestions!
• Have alternatives and readalikes for bestsellers with long waiting lists. Don't just put customers on a waiting list. You don't have to read hot titles to recommend them; they sell themselves
• Instead of handing out a booklist, have a conversation. Check-off or highlight titles on list that the customer may enjoy based on the reader’s advisory interview.
• Use your coworkers – learn THEIR reading habits. Institute a lunchtime staff Reader’s Advisory session as a regular roundtable, tie into wiki-hosted booklists or library displays.
• Know the subgenres, and learn what different authors write: genre, styles, pseudonyms etc.
• Read five new books in a genre you are unfamiliar to get a sense of the genre. A quick way to ease into your discomfort zone: Audiobooks! Give yourself permission give up after 50 pages.
• Be more analytical of your own reading; discover awareness of books appeal.
• Develop a method for remembering what you’ve read – a blog, a list, a database, index cards. All you need to write down is title, author and 2 things you liked. Be specific.
• Instead of telling the reader what YOU liked, find out what S/HE likes.
• Never apologize for your reading tastes or look down on their tastes - mind your tone and body language. Make it about the book, not the patron.

READER’S ADVISORY RESOURCES

Listservs

Fiction_L. http://www.webrary.org/rs/FLbklistmenu.html
Discussion of adult titles, may have crossover appeal

YALSA-BK http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/electronicresourcesb/websitesmailing.htm
Open list for book discussion invites subscribers to discuss specific titles, as well as other issues concerning young adult reading and young adult literature. Promotion of YALSA award winners and selection list titles.

MassYAC http://mblc.state.ma.us/mblc/regional/lists/index.php
Unmoderated discussion group for staff providing Young Adult and Children's Services in libraries in the Commonwealth of Masschusetts.

PubYAC http://www.pubyac.org/
PUBYAC is an Internet discussion list concerned with the practical aspects of Children and Young Adult Services in Public Libraries, including censorship and policy issues and collection development.

Print

Broman, Jennifer. Booktalking That Works. Neal Schuman Publishers, 2001.

Broman, Jennifer. More Booktalking That Works. Neal Schuman Publishers, 2005.

Buker Derek M. . Science Fiction and Fantasy Readers' Advisory

The Librarian's Guide to Cyborgs, Aliens, and Sorcerers. ALA 2002.

Calvert, Stephen J. Best Books for Young Adult Readers: Grades 7-12. Libraries Unlimited, 1997.

Drew, Bernard A.100 More Popular Young Adult Authors: Biographical Sketches and Bibliographies. Libraries Unlimited, 2002.

Foestrel, Howard. Banned in the USA: A Reference Guide to Book Censorship in Schools and Public Libraries--Revised and Expanded Edition. Greenwood, 2002.

Gillespie, John T. and Catherine Barr. Best Books for High School Readers: Grades 9-12. Libraries Unlimited, 2004.

Gillespie, John T. and Catherine Barr. Best Books for Middle School and Junior High Readers: Grades 6-9 Libraries Unlimited, 2004.

Gillespie, John T. Best Books for Young Teen Readers: Grades 7-10. Libraries Unlimited, 2002.

Gillespie, John T. The Children's and Young Adult Literature Handbook: A Research and Reference Guide. Libraries Unlimited, 2005.

Gillespie, John T. and Corinne Naden. Classic Teenplots: A Booktalk Guide to Use with Readers Ages 12-18. Libraries Unlimited, 2006.

Gillespie, John T. and Corinne Naden Teenplots: A Booktalk Guide to Use with Readers Ages 12-18. Libraries Unlimited, 2003

Gillespie, John T. and Corinne Naden. The Newbery/Printz Companion: Booktalks and Related Materials for Award Winners and Honor Books. Libraries Unlimited, 2006.

Herald, Diana Tixier. Teen Genreflecting: A Guide to Reading Interests Second Edition. Libraries Unlimited, 2003.

Honnold, RoseMary. The Teen Reader’s Advisor. Neal Schuman Publishers, 2006.

Jones, Patrick, Michele Gorman, and Tricia Suellentrop. Connecting Young Adults and Libraries: A How-To-Do-It Manual, Third Edition. Neal Schuman Publishers, 2005.

Jones, Patrick. A Core Collection for Young Adults. Neal Schuman, 2003.

Koelling, Holly. Classic Connections: Turning Teens on to Great Literature. Libraries Unlimited, 2004.

Knowles, Elizabeth and Martha Smith. Reading Rules! Motivating Teens to Read. Libraries Unlimited, 2001.

Langemack, Chapple. The Booktalker's Bible: How to Talk About the Books You Love to Any Audience. Libraries Unlimited, 2003.

Libretto, Ellen and Catherine Barr. High/Lo Handbook: Best Books and Web Sites for Reluctant Teen Readers 4th edition. Libraries Unlimited, 2001.

Lynn, Ruth Nadelman. Fantasy Literature for Children and Young Adults : A Comprehensive Guide 5th Edition. Libraries Unlimited 2005.

Nichols, C. Allen. Thinking Outside the Book: Alternatives for Today's Teen Library Collections. Libraries Unlimited, 2002.

Reynolds, Tom. Teen Reader Connections. Neal Schuman, 2005.

Stephens, Claire Gatrell. Coretta Scott King Award Books: Using Great Literature with Children and Young Adults. Libraries Unlimited, 2000.

Schall, Lucy. Booktalks and More: Motivating Teens to Read. Libraries Unlimited, 2003.

Schall, Lucy. Booktalks Plus: Motivating Teens to Read. Libraries Unlimited, 2001.

Schall, Lucy. Teen Genre Collections: From Booktalking to Booklearning. Libraries Unlimited, 2005.

Shearer Kennth D. And Robert Burgin. The Reader’s Advisory Companion. Libraries Unlimited, 2001.

Spratford Becky Siegel and Tammy Hennigh Clausen. Horror Readers' Advisory: The Librarian's Guide to Vampires, Killer Tomatoes, and Haunted Houses. ALA 2004.

Walker, Barbara J. The Librarian's Guide to Developing Christian Fiction Collections for Young Adults. Neal Schuman, 2005.

YALSA. More Outstanding Books for the College Bound. ALA. 2005.

Web

Barnes & Noble’s Book Browser . http://www.barnesandnoble.com/bookbrowser/. Feb 15 2006.

BookSense.com . http://www.booksense.com. Feb 15 2006.
Independent bookseller’s association picks

Chapter-A-Day . http://www.dearreader.com. Feb 15 2006.
Email delivery of chapter excerpts in several genres

Scieszka, Jon. Guys Read. http://www.guysread.com/. Feb 15 2006.
Books for boys.

Swann, Jennifer Hubert. Reading Rants. http://tln.lib.mi.us/~amutch/jen/index.html Feb 15 2006.
Thematic lists with catchy titles and zippy annotations.

New York Times Best Seller’s List . http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller/. Feb 15 2006.

Oprah's Book Club . http://oprah.com/obc/obc_landing.jhtml. Feb 15 2006.
Many selections from Oprah’s book club are popular with teens

The Today Show Book Club. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3041344/. Feb 15 2006.

Notes:

CHALLENGING QUESTIONS

• (toilet) Training
• How to make women fall in love w/me
• Scientific Questions (generated by TV?)
• Is my poetry any good?
• The short “e” (phonics)
• Teen comfort level w/ sexuality  topics
• “I need to know about bedbugs.”
• Value of 1914 British pound ( in US $)
• Stumper: Parking meter that spits coins (children’s books)
• Apple Pie Crust recipe
• Crossword Puzzle Clues
• Elected vs appointed officials
• Value cost + voodoo-ness of doll!
• Search for microfiche articles on crime; patron is the subject
• Local info: where is the linen goods store?
• Local info: value of china doll (can’t use internet)
• Hard of hearing patron on phone
• Investigate rumor about incarceration release
• “Go to reference- they know everything”
• Apartment hunt guidance
• How does one know if one is born gay?

BEST PRACTICES

• Greet!
• Look at and smile
• Referral-Specialized Librarians
• Relate to retail (good and bad behavior)
• No stupid questions
• Take your time
• Reassure ("It's not a bother!")
• We are their employees!
• Write it down & follow up
• Always get back
• Limit & expand
• Jargon
• Leave the door open
• Multicultural communication (consider perception, language)
• All communication
• Awareness of learning style
• Rephrasing
• They expect you to help them figure it out (“Let’s find it together”)
• Be straight forward
• Use Active Listening
• Ask Open Ended Questions:
  • “HOW can I help you?” or "WHAT can I help you with?" not "Do you need help?"
  • "I don’t know" (let’s find out together)
  • "Tell me more…" (for clarity & context)
  • “What kind of info do you need?”
  • "What kind of information have you already found?”
  • “When do you need this by?”
  • “I need your help..."

Evaluation for The Art of the Reference Interview (please complete an evaluation if you access any of the materials on this page)