1. RE-THINKING
READERS’ ADVISORYAn Interactive Approach
Rebecca Howard, MLIS
Laura Raphael, M.A.

2. WHO WE ARE
 Tulsa City-County Library
 Librarians each with 10+years of public library
experience
 READERS!
Rebecca Howard Laura Raphael

3. WHICH STATEMENT BEST DESCRIBES WHAT YOU
HOPE TO GAIN FROM TODAY’S WEBINAR?
I want to know exactly what form-based R.A. is and
what it entails.
I want to know how to propose and implement a form-
based R.A. program at my library.
I want to learn how other libraries are doing form-
based R.A. and adapt for my library.
I want to learn about R.A. resources that will help me
with our existing form-based service.

4. YOUR NEXT GREAT READ
 Form-based Readers’ Advisory service
 Launched in March 2011, but process started much
earlier
 Served around 1,000+ area readers by providing
personalized reading guides

5. HOW… WHAT… WHEN… WHO…
 Readers’ Advisory Today
 Objective: Describe the challenges and potential shortfalls of
current R.A. services.
 What is “Form-based Readers’ Advisory”?
 Objective: List the benefits of form-based Readers’ Advisory.
 Making the Case
 Objective: Understand the basic process of proposing this
service to your library leaders.
 The form of The Form
 Recognize the elements of an effective readers’ form.
 A “League of Extraordinary Librarians” of Your Own
 Describe the competencies of an effective team member.

6. HOW… WHAT… WHEN… WHO… /CON/
 The Finished Product – A Personalized Reading
Guide
 Identify the important elements of a personalized
reading guide.
 Identify available resources to assist in the development
of a personalized reading guide.

7. READERS’ ADVISORY TODAY
 Objective: Describe the challenges and potential
shortfalls of current R.A. services.

8. POLL: TELL US WHAT YOU’RE DOING NOW.
 What types of Readers’ Advisory methods do
you currently use? Check all that apply.
 Interviews (face-to-face interactions)
 Virtual (email, chat)
 Displays
 Programming (book discussions, book talks)
 Print media (printed book lists, reviews, posters, etc...)
 Social media, blogs
 Form-based

9. THE CONVERSATION

10. THE CONVERSATION
Reading Addict Blog
Slightly skewed book thoughts by
seriously dedicated librarians
Example list created in Bibliocommons
If a Readers’ Advisory Librarian suggests titles in a forest and
there is no one to hear …

11. CONVERSATION KILLERS
o Specific
o Universal

12. CONVERSATION KILLERS
 Nature of browsing
 Online searching
 Self-service
Photo used with Creative Commons
License: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ozyman/

13. CONVERSATION KILLERS
 Wait, I can ask you that?
 Library staff approached may not be the best
person for the job.
 Public service desk may not be the best place for
R.A. interactions

14. PUBLIC LIBRARY IDEAL . . .
Meets public library reality.
http://librarianheygirl.tumblr.com/
Photo used with Creative Commons License:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/suratlozowick/4544884797/sizes/m/in/
photostream/

15. WHAT IS FORM-BASED READERS’ ADVISORY?
 Objective: List the benefits of form-based Readers’
Advisory.

17. FORM-BASED READERS’ ADVISORY

18. Form-based Readers’ Advisory
Readers’ Advisory interview
Reference interview

19. REFERENCE INTERVIEW
 Information Need  Fulfillment

20. READERS ADVISORY INTERVIEW
 Personal reading appeals  Possibilities

21. REFERENCE INTERVIEW
 Exact, defining the question, business-like
READERS ADVISORY INTERVIEW
 General, casual, probing for appeals,
emotional

22. THE TRADITIONAL RA INTERVIEW

24. READER ASKS QUESTION…
Brain goes empty.

26. BENEFITS FOR READERS
Allows reader time and space to reflect on what
they like and what they want to read next.
More likely to result in books &
authors they will enjoy.

27. BENEFITS FOR LIBRARIANS
Allows librarian time and space to find
authors & titles
Increases Readers’ Advisory knowledge

28. OTHER BENEFITS
 Creates bond between best librarian & reader
 Deepens the conversation
 Results in a valuable product

30. THE BIGGEST BENEFIT OF ALL
 Makes librarians happy!

31. POLL
 For your situation, what do you think might be the
biggest benefit of form-based Readers’ Advisory?
 A. Gives readers time to ponder their reading tastes.
 B. Allows librarians to carefully consider a reader’s
preferences & reduces “reader asks question… brain
goes empty” phenomenon.
 C. Deepens the Readers’ Advisory conversation.
 D. Results in a valuable “product” from interaction.
 E. Engages librarians in rewarding professional activity.

32. MAKING THE CASE
 Objective: Understand the basic process of proposing this
service to your library leaders.

33. POLL
In the last five years have you seen an
increase,
a decrease, or
no change in your library’s
budget allocation to readers’
services?

34. WE HEART READERS
(and you should, too)!
 They love the library.
 They use the library.
 They support the library.
Mrs. Duffee Seated on a Striped Sofa, Reading her Kindle.
After Mary Cassatt. Via a Creative Commons License.

35. NOW WHAT?
 Think like a grant writer.
 Elements of a strong proposal:
 Statement of Need
 Project Description
 Resources Required
 Scope of Work
 Timeline for implementation
 Evaluation

36. THE FORM OF THE FORM
 Recognize the elements of an effective readers’ form (also
called survey, or profile).

38. LONGER OR SHORTER?

41. Vs.

42. POLL:
 What length of form do you think might work better
for readers at your library?
 A. Long – several in-depth sections, like Williamsburg
 B. Short – one or two questions, like Seattle
 C. Neither/don’t know

43. SHORT-ANSWER OR CIRCLE/SLASH/SELECT?

49. THE BOTTOM LINE…
 The best form is the one that will help you create
the most comprehensive reading guides

50. ELEMENTS OF AN EFFECTIVE FORM:
 Easily accessible to both reader & library
 Takes thought to complete
 Many different “buckets” for information
 Conversational
 FLEXIBILE

51. SPECIFIC QUESTIONS?

52. TOP 3 PARTS NEEDED:
 Favorites books and authors (with explanation, if
possible)
 Main focus or appeal (characters, setting,
language, etc.)
 Preferred genres

53. NEXT 3 PARTS (NICE TO HAVE):
 Current reading mood
 Verbotens
 Books and authors they did not like

54. QUESTIONS?

55. BUILDING YOUR TEAM
 Describe the competencies of an effective team member.

57. Reads
voraciously

58. Likes
people

59. Has time &
desire to
learn more
about RA

60. Reads
voraciously
Likes
people
Has time &
desire to
learn more
about RA

61. QUICK RESPONSE:
 What are 3 words or phrases you would use to
describe a good Readers’ Advisor?

62. A GOOD READERS’ ADVISOR…
 Smart
 Curious
 Good listener
 Identifies as “reader”
 Is open to reading outside comfort zone
 Has writing skills
 Nonjudgmental – validates readers’ preferences
 Passionate about connecting people to books: a
belief in the intrinsic value of reading for reading’s
sake!
 Interpersonal skills

63. http://leagueofextraordinarylibrarians.weebly.com

64. EXTRAORDINARY READERS’ ADVISORS…
 Know what they know
 Know their stuff
 Have a routine
 Connect with readers

66. THE BEST TRAINING…
 On the job 

67. THE FINISHED PRODUCT
 Identify the important elements of a personalized
reading guide.
 Identify available resources to assist in the development
of a personalized reading guide.

68. ELEMENTS OF A READING GUIDE
o Pace yourself.

69. KEY COMPONENTS
 Appeals

71. Personalized Reading Suggestions
for Mitzi Thomas
Appeal Factors
I selected authors and books based upon the following subject interests and appeal factors: I focused
on your request for happy, uplifting books that are sometimes humorous with a sentimental or
emotional style. I also chose books that are character driven, have a strong sense of place, and may
expose you to new people, places and subjects. I selected both fiction and narrative nonfiction. Please
note that some of these books are available in e-book format at the library and all are available in print.
Check our “Audio and e-book downloads” page for availability.

72. KEY COMPONENTS
 Authors
 Titles
 Reason for selection

74. THE ICING
 Branding
 Hyperlinks to catalog
 Cross marketing

76. RESOURCES TO USE IN CREATING A GUIDE
 NoveList
 Early Word (www.earlyword.com)
 BookList
 Shelf Awareness
 Bibliocommons lists
 Popular magazines:
 People
 Entertainment Weekly
 O (Oprah)
 Real Simple
 Ladies Home Journal
 Your brain
 Other library staff

78. WANT MORE?
We’ll be offering a six-week eCourse beginning
November 4. Some highlights:
1) Draft your own proposal
2) Create your own reader profile
3) Learn how other libraries are doing form-based R.A.
4) Create a personalized reading guide for a classmate
and receive your own, too!

79. QUESTIONS?