Readers’ Advisory Workshop: Reaction Resource Possibility
The Readers’ Advisory Interview
The role of the Readers’ Advisor is to suggest, not recommend, reading
material. Our goal should be to offer possibilities.
REFERENCE VS READERS’ ADVISORY
Reference—Search for the right or specific answer. Readers’ Advisory—Identify possibilities
DIFFERENCES
Reference frequently moves toward a right answer or specific piece of information.
Readers’ Advisory transaction is largely an advising role and requires a different stance from the
information-provider role. Readers’ Advisors act as consultants rather than experts.
SIMILARITIES
Parallel steps to Reference & Readers’ Advisory Interview:
1.) Set the tone
2.) Get the facts
3.) Give information
4.) Follow-up
THINKING ABOUT BOOKS
“Preparation for the readers’ advisory interview begins long before the dialogue
with a patron takes place. The real key to successful readers’ advisory is in the
learning how to think about books, a three-phase process. First, readers’
advisors begin with the book’s appeal, what makes the book a ‘good read.’
Second, advisors group the book with other titles and authors that have similar
appeal. Third, readers’ advisors consider how authors and titles fit within a genre”
(Saricks & Brown, 60)
What is it about this book that would appeal to another reader?
What limits its appeal?
What other books are like it?
What does this author have in common with other authors of the same genre?
How is this author dissimilar?
Develop a method for remembering what you have read.
RA INTERVIEW
1.) Set the Tone.
Establish an opening and welcoming climate. When talking with readers, try to
reinforce the idea that suggesting a book is a service we routinely provide.
Balance helpful and interested while avoiding intrusion.
2.) Get the Facts.
Make the transaction READER-CENTERED.
Elicit information from the reader about their reading interests.
Use open-ended questions.
“What do you like to read?” is rarely effective because it is hard for a patron to
give you a spur of the moment answer, potentially making them feel foolish.
RA QUESTIONS: “Tell me about a book that you have read and enjoyed?”
“Is there an author you consistently read?”
“Have you read anything lately that you have disliked?”
EXAMPLE: “That last book I read was too slow; nothing ever happened.”
RA REACTION: Rephrase to help reader identify what they do like-“What about a book with a lot of action--maybe a Thriller or an Adventure Story?”
EXAMPLE: “I did not like the characters.”
RA REACTION: “What did you dislike about them?” “What recent character did
you like?” This is also a tactful way to find out whether the patron is
uncomfortable with graphic violence, vulgar language or explicit sex.
Listen for what is important to the reader.
Answers can give more information than the reader even knows.
Use questions that describe special characteristics of books—character, setting,
theme, plot, and affect.
RA QUESTIONS: “Do you like a book with a fast-moving plot or one with strong
characters?” Offering the reader a choice allows the RA to narrow the range of
possibilities.
“Have you read any Mysteries or Thrillers?”
Or describe the feature of a popular crime storyteller like Stuart Woods.
Observe what they do not like. For instance, note preferences as to time period
and setting.
The Readers’Advisory Interview
Leane M. Ellis, originally for the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library,Wakefield, MA
RA Grant Revision 11/06;7/10;9/13;MLA2015
427lellis@comcast.net
2
Offer a range
RA RESPONSE: If the reader likes Romances, suggest a Contemporary
Romance like Kristin Higgins’s Catch of the Day, one of the more Romantic
Gentle reads like Beverly Lewis’s The Fiddler, and a Sensual Historical Romance
like Stephanie Laurens’ Devils Bride, the first in the Cynster series.
Describing several possible titles reinforces the concept that Readers’ Advisors
suggest rather than recommend, allowing the reader to make the final selection.
Give an overview of each title, describing each one generally in terms of appeal.
3.) Give Information.
Verify your understanding of what the reader said.
Paraphrase what they have told you using the patron’s language.
Expand reader’s area of interest—but with the reader’s permission.
Readers’ Advisory’s goal was once to move readers up a reading ladder, now it
focuses on what the reader’s interests are currently.
Make suggestions in a non-judgmental way, accepting the reader’s standards.
Do not allow personal values to interfere when making suggestions—emphasize
the reader’s needs and interests.
Rosenberg’s First Law of Reading: Never apologize for your reading tastes.
Be open about personal familiarity and experience with authors, genres, titles but
communicating in a non-judgmental manner that encourages the reader to give
you more information.
Use the resources that are at hand—print & electronic, compiled lists and other
staff members’ expertise.
Determine whether the reader wants book titles or authors, or perhaps an
introduction to print and electronic RA resources. Reluctant computer users may
need to know where to find printed lists or be informed that they exist.
Involve the reader in the search. Teach them how to use resources, and bring
them to the shelves for browsing or retrieval. Seek them out in the stacks and at
displays!
Learn to describe a book briefly. Emphasize succinct and engaging.
Avoid terms like “well-written” or “good.” These phrases mean almost nothing to
the patron who hears them. Instead, talk about the way an author uses language
or an unusual or distinctive style. Or use “award-winner” or “critically acclaimed.”
Or the aspects of the book like character, plot, theme and setting.
The Readers’Advisory Interview
Leane M. Ellis, originally for the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library,Wakefield, MA
RA Grant Revision 11/06;7/10;9/13;MLA2015
427lellis@comcast.net
3
Develop awareness of a book’s appeal and its general quality. When a reader
asks for something “light” or an “easy read,” ascertain what the reader means by
that phrase. First verify the type of book and then the level of quality the reader
has in mind—being mindful that there are levels and variations at both ends of
the quality spectrum.
4.) Follow-up.
Request feedback. Encourage the ongoing relationship between library and
reader. Leaving with the book we suggested is not the true indication of
success—the frequency and quality of RA exchanges is the true measurement.
Remember that we are suggesting possibilities.
If the patron is willing, start by requesting that s/he tell you about the most recent
book s/he has read that was suggested. Again, let the reader relate the
experience that s/he had with the book. (Revisit step #2.)
It is important to gauge the patron’s comfort level with the follow-up interview,
many patrons have one or, maybe, two exchanges in them (time or inclination),
so make the opportunity count.
Try “Did you like the Stuart Woods I suggested?” If the answer is “yes, “ask:
“What did you enjoy about it?” If the answer is “no” or a tentative “sort of,” ask:
“What did you not enjoy about it?” or “What stopped you from finishing it?”
If you remember, or have notes that remind you that this patron really likes books
with vibrant characters, then ask: “What did you think of Holly Barker, or Stuart
Wood’s main character?”
Choose the predominant aspect that appeals to that patron and concentrate on
that in your follow-up?
“Did the setting ring true?” (place or historical time), etc.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Saricks, Joyce G. & Nancy Brown. Readers’ Advisory Service in the Public Library. 2nd ed.
Chicago, IL:ALA, 2000.
Saricks, Joyce G. Readers’ Advisory Service in the Public Library. 3rd ed. Chicago, IL:ALA, 2005.
Smith, Duncan. Help! I Need a Good Book!, Readers’ Advisory Services Program, CWMARS.
April 3, 2002. Palmer Public Library, Palmer, MA.
RA-101 Lite: An Introduction to Readers’ Advisory Services. Instructor’s Guide.NoveList.11/09/05.
Talking with Readers: A Workbook for Readers’ Advisory. Cooperative project of NoveList,
Library Development & Services-Minnesota Department of Children, Families & Learning
and Minnesota Library Staff. 2000.
The Readers’Advisory Interview
Leane M. Ellis, originally for the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library,Wakefield, MA
RA Grant Revision 11/06;7/10;9/13;MLA2015
427lellis@comcast.net
4