Readers' advisory working group meeting 27 May 2026
To discuss key takeaways from the seminar and explore how these ideas are being implemented—or are planned to be implemented—across our libraries.
Minutes RA Seminar Meeting – 27/ 5/26 Chair – Aaron
10.00 - Introduction and Acknowledgement of Country
Present: Lauren Watkins, Ruth Noble, Michelle Cairns, Pressy Menezes, Rebecca Pliner, Erica Enriquez-Clemente, Sharon Muscat, Kieran O'Donoghue, Kylie Watt, Abby Dawson, Weili Xie, Aasia Akhtar, Aaron Wilkes, Jawed Wijngebrael, Victoria Murray, Andrew Powell, Samantha Palozzi, Helen Kassidis, Samantha Fenton, Melinda Benzie, Catherine Bryant, Marisa Bottaro, Isabella De Horta, Ellen Forsyth, Sarah Morrison, Joanna Kondaxis, Kay Worthington
10.05 - what ideas did you take back from the seminar (chat or voice)
focus on morning session, Home Library services, Allison Tait podcast, Marisa Bottaro, Damian Almeida, Gale databases, NSW Literary Awards.
Home Library Services (HLS)
Ellen Forsyth — Noted similarities/differences across services; RA remains central in HLS.
Jawed Wijngebrael — Valued cross service strategies/demographics; useful tips from smaller libraries; many use Spydus HLS module.
Lauren Watkins — Less direct HLS experience; session helped surface practical angles.
Allison Tait podcast / “Your Kid’s Next Read”
Lauren Watkins — The more you learn RA for kids, the more nuance emerges; used tips for challenging youth interactions.
Victoria Murray — Doesn’t listen regularly but the Facebook group is strong for specific junior RA asks (e.g., “books about pasta”).
Kylie Watt — Social feeds are helpful for tween girls who want age appropriate, non romance reads; noted rising popularity of junior/YA detective fiction.
Joanna Kondaxis (Inner West Library) — Found Alison’s talk inspirational on sustaining reading for kids/YA; message: keep trying, keep suggesting.
Lauren Watkins — Alison’s book series are on standing order; series fiction bridges reading levels well.
Link the series - Shop Your Next Read - Your Kid's Next Read Podcast.https://www.yourkidsnextread.com.au/your-next-read-series/shop-your-next-read/
Rebecca Pliner — Asked how to handle parents who dismiss junior graphic novels as “not real books.”
Ellen Forsyth — Positioned graphic novels as valid reading and/or a stepping stone (e.g., Wings of Fire GN to prose); emphasized respectful language and the literacy value of visual narratives.
Marisa Bottaro — Resistance often from parents, not kids; start with the child’s interests (e.g., mystery/crime vs classics); part of RA is educating parents.
Joanna Kondaxis — Strategy: highly illustrated novels (e.g., Jen Storer’s Danny Best) as a bridge for parent comfort and child engagement.
Lauren Watkins — Prescriptiveness undermines enjoyment; present reading as personal/pleasurable.
Aaron Wilkes — Noted a GN won this year’s Stella Prize, underscoring literary value.
Jawed Wijngebrael — Importance of parents modelling reading; suggested gentle reflection rather than confrontation. Seeks research/resources supporting graphic novels and “read what you like.”
Aaron Wilkes — Suggested checking the ALIA Graphic Novels & Comics group (site resources light; podcast may help).
Marisa Bottaro — Grab ’N Go
Aaron Wilkes — Framed: five resources tied to Australia Reads barriers; can cite impact to leadership.
Joanna Kondaxis — Asked practicals: secure/attractive packaging, containers, contents.
Marisa Bottaro — Uses on hand branded paper bags; themed template on front; up to 60 genre/topic lists maintained; three books per bag; seal with tape to preserve surprise. Alternatives: drawstring bags (budget), plain paper bags. Occasional tampering/losses expected. Self check scans multiple items; Aaron’s site uses RFID and laminated barcode sheets as backup. Some walk outs occur. Idea sourced from prior RA seminars (e.g., Hornsby) and other libraries; ongoing RA strategy, not one off; bags at entrance near popular Staff Picks; “pinch good ideas.”
Lauren Watkins — Signage rarely stops losses (seed library analogy). Liked theming events around RA; asked if RA first planning is common.
Link to ALIA - ALIA | Graphic Novels & Comics Group https://graphic.alia.org.au/
Gale databases — Damian Almeida demonstration
Joanna Kondaxis — Valued Damian’s live demo of Gale Books and Authors; will share timestamped YouTube segment internally as an RA refresher.
Aaron Wilkes — Timestamps intended for quick reference.
Rebecca Pliner — Likes Reader alike and awards pages; friction when suggested titles aren’t in the catalogue; plans pre checked lists before customer chats; interested in adding Waverley’s Mark & Evette Moran Nib Award to the database.
Aaron Wilkes — Encourage staff awareness of available tools; consider purchase requests for in demand Gale listed titles.
Ellen Forsyth — Interlibrary loans when holdings are missing and timing permits.
NSW Literary Awards — Reading Challenge and promo
Lauren Watkins — NSW Premier’s Literary Awards (now NSW Literary Awards) just announced.
Aaron Wilkes — Ordering Reading Challenge pack to revive interest; will ensure holdings cover category winners.
Lauren Watkins — Easy win: download winners’ posters from the State Library site for passive promotion.
Lauren Watkins — Flagged Good Librations podcast episode “Trophy Life” on awards.
Link - Good Librations Podcast-https://library.kiama.nsw.gov.au/e-Library/Good-Librations-podcast
Link - NSW Literary Awards | State Library of New South Wales-https://pls.sl.nsw.gov.au/managing-my-library/community-and-engagement/nsw-literary-awards
10.45 - what ideas did you take back from the seminar (chat or voice)
focus on the middle session, Sci-fi presentation by Gabby Cundy and Greg Coustas, 5 min talks and Sophie Green.
Sci-fi presentation by Gabby Cundy and Greg Coustas
Aaron Wilkes — Praised the session; leverage movies/TV to channel interest into books; strengthen collections across formats (DVDs and books).
Joanna Kondaxis — Their internal sci fi RA videos support staff; Gabby/Greg offered entertaining, definitional framing; complementary; will recommend via timestamps.
Lauren Watkins — Read Dungeon Crawler Carl after the mention; enjoyed it.
Jawed Wijngebrael — Genre talks act as engaging “circuit breakers” while remaining practical for patron conversations.
Marisa Bottaro — Supports featuring a specific genre each seminar (useful refreshers, especially for genres staff don’t personally read); valued the focus on translating genre knowledge into customer conversations.
Lauren Watkins — Gale Books and Authors helps with genre confidence via clear subgenre breakdowns; useful for browsing unfamiliar subgenres.
5 minute talks — highlights
Presenters noted: Chelsea Brown (diverse collections), Kia Wood (staff Literacy Society on RA), Beth Harrison (genre help sheets), Amy Boyd (re categorising junior nonfiction), Jennifer Blume (lunchtime bibliotherapy drop in), Erica Enriquez Clemente (programming + RA).
Aaron Wilkes — Genre cheat sheets are handy.
Marisa Bottaro — Moving away from paper; queried how sheets fit.
Aaron Wilkes — Created in Canva; store digitally (shared files/Teams); print a few for tougher genres at desks. Diversity selection lists useful for displays; ensure diverse titles represented.
Marisa Bottaro — Embed diversity into Grab ’N Go bags and read alikes; keep it intentional.
Ellen Forsyth — Diversity can be harder in some genres (e.g., rural romance); match appeal factors when direct representation is limited.
Lauren Watkins — Enthusiastic about Erica’s “book tasting” for kids: sample books, quick reviews, request future buys; supports collection development; include a pancake brunch.
Marisa Bottaro — Liked Kia Wood’s staff literary society; strong interest at Sutherland; will include as an Aspire goal to boost RA skills and team connection.
Sophie Green — publishing insights and cover design
Joanna Kondaxis — Engaging/inspiring; cover design sparked internal talk on colour/appeal; covers often attract attention before blurbs.
Jawed Wijngebrael — Covers, typography, colour signal audience/experience across genres; not a quality marker but a discovery cue.
Aaron Wilkes — Striking covers catch staff eyes in acquisitions/cataloguing; decorative features (coloured edges, illustrations) more common now.
Lauren Watkins — These features have moved beyond special editions.
Ellen Forsyth — Publisher investment in design is strategic; design invites discovery; useful industry insight for libraries.
11.00 - 5 minutes break - stand and stretch/tea or coffee
Victoria’s talk about the peal character on the talking books–
Lauren: Shared useful romance readers' advisory resources, including Book Blush Romance and Romance.io, which allow staff to search titles by appeal factors and content preferences. These resources may also assist with collection development and home library services.
Link - Home - BookBlushRomance\\-https://bookblushromance.com/
Ellen: Discussed the importance of using clear terminology when describing romance content, suggesting terms such as “spicy” rather than “clean” to avoid unintended judgement. Asking clarifying questions rather than making assumptions about readers' preferences. Mentioned follow-up questions help staff better understand customer needs.
Rebecca: Suggested compiling common readers' advisory questions, terminology and useful resources on the RA Wiki for staff reference.
Aaron Wilkes: Noted that some guidance already exists on the Wiki and could be reviewed and expanded.
Aaron Wilkes/ Jawed Wijngebrael: Found Victoria's overview of appeal characteristics a useful refresher, particularly around plot, character, tone and pacing.
Ruth Noble: Noted that readers' advisory often develops naturally through conversations with customers and helps build trust over time.
Erica Enriquez-Clemente : Commented that ongoing relationships make follow-up easier, especially in smaller branches.
Marisa Bottaro: Suggested introducing yourself during readers' advisory conversations to help customers provide feedback later.
Erica Enriquez-Clemente: Observed that smaller branches often allow for deeper readers' advisory conversations and stronger customer relationships.
Discussion: Participants agreed that readers' advisory is most effective when it focuses on building rapport and encouraging ongoing conversations with readers.
11.20 - what ideas did you take back from the seminar (chat or voice) focus on the afternoon session, Victoria Murray, Lauren Watkins, BehaviourWorks Australia and Australia Reads
Joanna Kondaxis — Practical, engaging, accessible for newer staff; builds confidence.
Aaron Wilkes — Recommends these as go to training resources; recordings are effective.
Marisa Bottaro — Great as refreshers, especially for new staff.
Aaron Wilkes — Practical “what not to do” examples are valuable; also covered on Good Librations.
Marisa Bottaro — Proposed diversity in literature (LGBTQ+, CALD authors, translations).
Lauren Watkins — Interested in evolving definitions of diversity and practice implications.
Aaron Wilkes — Suggested a focus on translated literature across genres.
Link - Good Librations podcast Kiama Library\\https://library.kiama.nsw.gov.au/e-Library/Good-Librations-podcast
Australian Report –
Jawed Wijngebrael — Refresher value; prefers “suggest” over “recommend” to reduce pressure and invite feedback.
Aaron Wilkes — Normalises not loving a suggestion; invites returns for alternatives.
Ellen Forsyth — Reader profiles (broad) can help plan outreach to non members with tailored messaging.
Marisa Bottaro — Referred to the follow up report on applications/engagement; challenge: reaching non members and lapsed readers.
Kylie Watt — Pop up libraries at community markets to engage community (e.g., Maroubra beach, adult focus).
Aaron Wilkes — Senior’s festival engagement example.
Lauren Watkins — Success at local events, markets, festivals; crafts, stalls, merch, creative programs; meeting people where they are works.
Michelle Cairns / Ellen Forsyth / Ruth Noble / Marisa Bottaro — Use council channels (rates notices), bus stop ads, and other civic comms.
Link: Australia Reads report link-https://australiareads.org.au/research/reaching-australian-readers/
Ellen Forsyth — UTS example on “silent” vs “quiet” illustrates why to define terms.
Ruth Noble — RA often grows from broader conversations (e.g., ILL help → book chat → trust); follow ups develop naturally.
Lauren Watkins — Rapport drives returns, but large sites make it harder.
Marisa Bottaro — Customers sometimes feed back via other staff; introducing yourself helps reconnect later.
Aaron Wilkes — Regulars seek out staff they click with; Erica Enriquez Clemente noted smaller branches allow deeper RA due to ongoing relationships.
Aaron Wilkes — Example: long term film/DVD chats evolving into enduring RA relationships.
12.00 Points of communication - committee members contact emails are on the main page of the wiki. https://wiki.libraries.nsw.gov.au/doku.php?id=readers_advisory_working_group