Librarian's guide to the galaxy

Readers' advisory seminar 2015

The librarian’s guide to the galaxy #ra2015

9.30am - Welcome to the State Library of NSW by Cameron Morley, Manager, Funding and Advisory Services, Public Library Services.

9.40am - Making your catalogue work for you - Amy Heap on Novelist and Novelist integration @amyheap

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10.00am - Cathy Johnston on Nancy Pearl doorways using Science fiction/science examples @catyj

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10.20am - Turn to the person on your right/left and tell them 1. your name, 2. your library, 3. what you're reading right now

10.30am - 10 slides in five minutes

• Leonie Jordan - Auburn -Hand picked holiday reads

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• Stephanie Hodgson Auburn - Book reviews and reading suggestions at staff training

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• Garrett Jackson - Hurstville - Dr Who in the library - past events they have held

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• Natalie Dimmock - Singleton - Fundability and the library Lego Club

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• Georgina Konstanta - Wollondilly - Rewarding reading training

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• Rachel Franks RA tools

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• Ellen Forsyth - Readers advisory survey results

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You can read the survey results here

Big thanks to all the staff who participated in this. The biggest challenges were:

• Keeping current with books, authors, and genres 61.18%
• Knowing books in all genres, or for all age groups 66.45%
• Time to train/prepare for readers advisory or read 49.34%
• Lack of confidence 29.61%
• Determining the readers’ preferences 24.34%
• Time to take info from reader to do readers advisory services effectively 36.18%
• Lack of training 23.03%
• Lack of awareness of relevant tools and resources in the library 20.39%
• Lack of awareness of online tools and resources 22.37%
• Time to train/prepare for readers advisory or read 49.34%

11.05am - Melanie Mutch - Interesting readers advisory initiatives from elsewhere

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11.30am - Megan McArdle author of The Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Blends (2014, ALA Editions) @MegMcArdle

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You can read The Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Blends by Megan M. McArdle on indyreads (this note was added 22 December 2020 when wiki was being updated)

12:30 - 1.10 lunch and Becky's ten rules of basic RA service

1.10 - Dr Bill Lott (Forensic DNA, Nanotechnology, Chemistry, Biology specialist) of QUT - Science: Reading for Facts / Reading for Fun

1.45 - Biggest challenges for RA - from RA survey results

The biggest challenges came from the reader's advisory survey. How can you help change this situation? What can you do to improve your area of focus? Think about collaborations, state wide initiatives and small individual steps to take towards change. Think big and crazy ideas.

10 slides in five minutes

Monique Akauola, Coordinator Reader Services, Sutherland Shire Libraries - Who writes like and ALA genre publications

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Lim Goodarzi from Canada Bay - some science fiction specific tools

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Elissa James - Canterbury - bringing staff and tools together . 3.10 Sean Williams @adelaidesean - text of his talk is available via his blog.

4.00pm - thank you, wrap up and close

You can also buy a shirt or bag celebrating the day from RedBubble.