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**NSW Readers' Advisory Working Group meeting minutes**

Thursday 17th February 2011, Shoalhaven Public Library, Nowra.

====1. Present:====

  * Ellen Forsyth SLNSW
  * Therese Scott Ashfield
  * Kim Ryan &amp; Melissa Schirever Wollondilly
  * Lee Burgoyne Wollongong
  * Donna Lawrence Bankstown
  * Jenny Marshall Kiama
  * Diana Brown Waverley
  * Deb Williams Batemans Bay
  * Barbara Stephens Moruya
  * Di Lihou Narooma
  * Helen Cowen Wingecarribee
  * Heidi Colquhan &amp; Roslyn Cusiter Blue Mountains
  * Pamela Davies Auburn City
  * Jennifer Wilson Fairfield City
  * Cher Murphy
  * Carol Andrews
  * Deb Nettle &amp; Kristin Morgan Nowra

====2. Apologies:====

  * Cathy Owen Wingecarribee
  * Carolyn Burke

====3. 2011 Twitter Reading Group:====

The 2011 Twitter Reading Group can be found in several places:
  * On the RA wiki for library staff collaboration/use.
  * Readit2011.wordpress.com – the public face, encouraging everyone to read, tweet, blog, flickr.
  * www.twitter.com/readit2011 - use # hashtags when tweeting to follow comments and pick up ideas.

//Why twitter?//

  * It’s fast – you need to be succinct only 140 characters available to use.
  * Can use themes in library reading groups.
  * Can use the Reading Group monthly themes as display/ promotion in your library.
  * Builds trust and familiarity with younger members who are used to social networking sites.
  * Can follow comments using #hastags for each month – check out Ellen’s teacosies on flickr.
  * Twapperkeeper is useful for archiving information.


It was suggested we “meet” once a month on twitter to discuss monthly themes, what we are reading etc.
Suggestions - who to start following? Places like other libraries, ALIA Libjournal and use search terms to find others with similar likes etc.

====4. Reading challenges for staff 2011:====

  * The 2011 reading challenge on the RA wiki has been updated to make it easier to access.
  * We are using the #readit2011 themes each month.
  * Last year’s challenge provides us with a great reference tool.
  * Suggestion to add a section for “suggested reads” for the month in advance and ensuring the items appeal to male/female/multicultural readers.

====5. RA seminar – Dragons in the Metcalfe:====

**Book now!**

It’s going to be a great day If you aren’t sure what fantasy novel to try, our guest speakers are:
Brent Weeks www.brentweeks.com - website, facebook, twitter, RSS feed
Garth Nix www.garthnix.com

====6. Five slides in 2 minutes:====

More speakers needed - we need you to talk about: 
  * what you are doing now in your library or
  * something you saw elsewhere and want to do.

====7. Bookbinge merchandise:====

Our merchandise is available from www.redbubble.com
The RA group gets no money from the sale of merchandise, all money goes to redbubble. Cathy Johnston sets up the artwork and items are printed on demand. Yiu can choose from a variety of styles, colours and sizes. It’s an easy way to market library items. Any library can use the site and you can choose to make some money out of items you sell. Check out the 2011 Zombies in the library calendar by the South Australian Library and Information Network.

====8. e-books:====

  * Sony e-book readers have no download limits, kindles have some. E-book readers are easy to use, easy to read – very different screen to a laptop or computer screen. Prices vary, but around $300 each. Homebound users may finds it easier to hold, but may have dexterity issues with it’s use. Libraries will also need to make sure they have enough content available for patrons.
  * Try “kobo” for free -software downloads to phone or computer.
  * Overdrive seems to be the resource libraries are using but we all agree that we would like to see better resources available for libraries to own. At present, the publishers have little reason to supply to libraries as there is no money in it for them.
  * Follow #ebkanz on twitter for digital publisher comments, or set up a google alert to go to your email.

====9. New approaches to RA:====

In an effort to boost on-line reviews, Nowra used one of their book club meetings for a “how-to-use” technology class.
    
www.librarything.com This online catalogue for what you are reading was initially created for staff but has been expanded for anyone to use. How to get patrons interested? Show them – it needs to be sold face to face.
    
**Summer Reading program ** 

Lots of different ideas for the promotion of this one – some patrons received extra prizes if they reviewed their items online. Some councils funded expensive prizes, participants were encouraged to register online. One library linked the SRC to the environment and prizes were plants from from the council’s depot. Some saved all the free goodies during the year from magazines and used them as lucky dips. Some judged their prize winners by the number of items read.

**Databases**
  * Staff training in how to use online databases has opened up new information sources for both staff and library patrons
  * Suggestion to look at Chicago Library’s Adult Reading Round Table program – it’s aim is to develop RA skills and promote reading for pleasure through public libraries. http://www.arrtreads.org/genrestudies.html
  * Point to remember, it’s still important to balance staff RA reference skills with individual staff knowledge - don’t always pass off the “genre” question to a staff member who also reads the same genre.


====11. Round the table – who’s reading what:====
  * Call me irresistible/ Susan Elizabeth Phillips
  * Love song/ Alex Miller
  * The story of England/ Michael Wood
  * Chuck Close: work/ Christopher Finch
  * Goddess by mistake and by choice/
  * A question of belief/ Donna Leon
  * The elegance of the hedgehog/ Muriel Barbery
  * Mr Pip/ Lloyd Jones
  * Castle of wizardry/ David Eggins
  * 61 hours/ Lee Child
  * The alchemist/ Paul Coehlo
  * Lady Chatterley’s lover
  * Mansfield Park/ Jane Austen
  * Virals/ Kathy Reichs
  * Under the dome/ Stephen King
  * The making of Julia Gillard/ Jacqueline Kent on CD
  * Improve your sleep
  * Sarah’s key/ Tatiana de Rosnay
  * A short history of nearly everything/ Bill Bryson
  * Rescue/ Anita Shreve
  * 
====12. The next Readers Advisory meeting date====

Will be held late May at Fairfield City Library – Date TBC.

//On the agenda will be://

**1. Ideas for 2012 Year of Reading –**

Here are some to start you thinking, Ellen has more:

  * Flash mobs
  * Posters – bus shelters, public loos etc
  * Flickr – library staff group photos
  * Stories in the street – locals identities reading from their own or favourite book
  * Sleepovers at the library

**2. RA Newsletter**
 – format? Digital and hardcopy?