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minutes_7_june_2017_riverina_regional_library_headquarters_wagga_wagga_readers_advisory

NSW Readers' Advisory Working Group meeting minutes

7 June 2017, Riverina Regional Library, Wagga Wagga

Agenda 1. Acknowledgement of Country

I would like to acknowledge the Wiradjuri, the traditional custodians of the land that we are meeting on today, and pay my respects to their elders past and present and emerging, and to any Indigenous peoples here today.

2. Present

(all day): Amy Heap and Cynthia Price, Riverina Regional Library, Monika Morton, Griffith, Karen Lowe, Griffith, Rebecca Cooks, Kiama, Penny Howse, Cootamundra,Jennifer Congdon, Berrigan, Yvonne Boag, Alison Smythe, Albury, Ellen Forsyth, State Library of NSW.

Morning Blue Jeans – 14 participants including Jo, Kate, Macquarie Regional Library, Fallon, Lindy, Taryn Kelly, Louise Parr, Ita Hanssens – Tamworth, Karen, and Helen.

Afternoon Blue jeans 6 participants including Ita Hanssens – Tamworth, Macquarie Regional Library, Karen, and Louise Parr. Plus Chrissie Bolton (afternoon),

And briefing for those not at the seminar - diverse reading and healthy related reading(for example), including ‘how diverse is your collection?’.

Have a look at the wiki: http://readersadvisory.wikifoundry.com/page/Diverse+reading.

This year the theme was diverse reading and diverse collections. Key point of the seminar is that diversity is for everyone. The wiki is a great place to go for follow up for the seminar, to explore the links. It is suggested that people watch the videos with others in their libraries and discuss them. Keep diversity in mind for all areas of library services. For displays, make sure you are representing the whole community. Think about how material is catalogued, and what the subject headings are like. Go and have a look at the wiki for more information.

Discussion about diverse collecting

It is a challenge, and takes active work. National Library bookstore a good location to see wider range of material. Active collecting and diligent searching is required to be able to add more diverse material. Use of customer requests is useful too.

3. How do you develop and run book clubs, programs, outreach and events

- what are the success factors, how do you evaluate them?

Griffith City Library Karen Lowe talked about their book club. There are 16 reading groups. Go to this link, and scroll down to book clubs https://www.wrl.nsw.gov.au/services/. The library provided 10 months of titles reading groups, with a cost $420 per club, provides/loans 1 tub per month with questions. Only collect complete sets now, importance of people having to bring the complete tub backs, the tubs are labelled clearly, each book club is registered with the library, and are re-registered each year, collect information about the main contact person, but also collect email addresses for each member for better communication. The information collected is only used for purposes of book clubs, which is about four emails a year. There is one set of each title, have a reading list of all the book club lists, use a spreadsheet to manage the preferences, tubs can be collected first of each month, no more than two tubs on loan at a time for each club, keep tweaking the methods, to improve the services.

Port Macquarie Has 80+ book clubs and over 160 sets of books (10 per kit). There are challenges in having all the sets returned. Kate at Port Macquarie has a wish list system for the groups to do, about 50 groups a month have a waiting list, book kits going out from four different branches, so the logistics are key, no fee. Encourage the groups to donate a set for the first year, but some donate each year. The suggestions are run by Kate before they are purchased. Every group is unique and so each operates in a different way. Have some rules for the clubs, but some flexibility so that balance the needs of the groups with the needs of the staff. Have an agreement with local bookshop to get discounts for sets of 10, and have an annual panel discussion about the reading groups.

Riverina Regional Library Amy Heap – – see http://rrl.nsw.gov.au/adults/book-club/. Riverina Regional Library reading groups have been running for 10 years. Using a similar model to Griffith, so a service for book clubs, providing 10 copies, audio book and dvd is available, as well as discussion points, have rules and policies, have 85 book clubs this year, costs $400 per club per year, looking at examples of other book clubs, used to do more evaluation than now. Do an annual evaluation at the end of the year. Asking questions about value for money, would they recommend the service, what would they like changed, what do they like. Have and end of year celebration bringing different book clubs together at the end of the year in different branch libraries. Tried online engagement but did not get much enthusiasm for this. As well as adults, they have a young adult version, with half the number of books over the year. Have had request from junior/primary school book clubs, but the model is not suitable for children, so have suggested book lists for different age groups, tips and support. Issues about damaged books, last year seemed to have more damage (have hint about using snaplock bags for leaving books at other people’s places as they were returned wet to the library). Have been charging replacement costs for titles. Allocating the titles is almost a full time job – backed up with a colourful spreadsheet.

It is interesting seeing charging and free systems working well. Using spreadsheets and issuing of items to know if previously read. Griffith issues items individually and with the lists of the loans, or issue the tub with numbered items, and people always have the same numbered items.

Albury and Berrigan Issue separately so can track individuals. Berrigan has four book clubs. Discussion of the Nancy Pearl doorways so making sure that are giving people different ways, otherwise may be only appealing to one of the doorways for most of the year.

  • Length of book: is a challenge, as need to be able to read it within a month – around 300 pages as limit.
  • Expectations for book clubs which are paid for: possibly yes, but it is possibly not certain. Need to be upfront about what they will be getting for their money.
  • Staffing: Very different staffing for each area – Riverina almost one person for year, Griffith, lots of work over two months and then little over the rest of the year.
  • Promotiona nd recruitment of members: Griffith does a matching service for people and clubs. Wagga Wagga Library has an annual meeting to connect people for new book clubs, and recruit people to existing groups.
  • Loan periods: Wingecaribee – six week loan period for reading groups. Most libraries do not have a reservation system for book groups, as not sure when they will be returned, so select from what is there.
  • Have a look at the wiki http://readersadvisory.wikifoundry.com/page/Book+groups - what works well, how do you encourage discussion, how do you choose titles (taking into account the Nancy Pearl appeal characteristics). Question of how people are evaluating the reading groups. Encouraging discussion is important.

4. How are people using RA generally, at their library?

Please bring examples to share with the group and on Flickr. People on Blues Jeans - bring show and tell too.

  • Kiama has some signs, as does Cootmundra, and Berrigan has been using Instagram to promote readers advisory,
  • Genre lists, “this month I will try”
  • Clarence Regional Instagram reader advisory https://www.instagram.com/clarence_regional_library/
  • Riverina Regional – has introduced form based readers’ advisory – http://rrl.nsw.gov.au/adults/whatwillireadnext/ – giving a history blurb about why the title/s were suggested, about 60 over the year, not huge demand, but steady interest as a way to do time shifted readers’ advisory, completes ones http://rrl.nsw.gov.au/adults/what-will-i-read-next/ (posted with permission), and RRL reads blog, https://rrlreads.wordpress.com/
  • Lavington – ties the gallery with the library next to the exhibition, aim for a range of titles on display, using observation for evaluating displays, suggest that this is recorded somewhere, Lavington has a permanent display mystery/thrillers, out of the way, but still going well,
  • Griffith has a table of recent returns, as a way for people to make their selections, and less to shelve too, as does Port Macquarie and other libraries,
  • Berrigan does self assessment on how the displays go out.
  • Cootamundra, the displays go out well.
  • Need to consider evaluation for readers’ advisory work.
  • Lavington stopped book chats – awareness of different genres, but little interest from the community – the time of the day my have been the challenge.
  • Becky Spratford suggest short book talks as part of other events, also Ashfield Library staff doing some as part of their author visits, adding RA to all other things,
  • Cootmundra plugs the parenting books before story times,
  • Port Macquarie One book one community – bought 200 copies: 2 x book club sets (10 per set); 10 in library system for loan; remainder strategically dropped around town. Have done it twice, books distributed with the library logo – popular. Second book was Still Alice, and had person from Alzheimer's Australia speaker as part of the panel. Picking a book is very difficult, want to engage discussion, not too expensive, also have to think about the community sensitivities. Put the locations on Facebook with the photographs, encouraging use of the titles, had two book club sets as well. Working with partners and connections in the community.
  • Library as incubator project http://www.libraryasincubatorproject.org/ has book groups with making, resources are available at the Book to art club http://booktoartclub.squarespace.com/
  • One book group makes meals to match their reading.
  • Different locations for the reading groups, some in libraries, some in different locations, and locations changing over time.
  • Port Macquarie does reminders of readers advisory things at many library events.
  • Show and tell or share - what work well, what could work better, how do you evaluate this.

5. Read Watch Play on social media

- are you following and are you sharing?

6. What have you been reading?

In small groups and in 25 words or less: what are the key appeal characteristics and how would you suggest this to a client?) 15 minutes Check out some discussion prompts here:

  • Moonglow Michael Chabon language, adventure, non-linear story telling.
  • The Dry Jane Harper - of interest to those who read rural romance, contains surprises, something new to try.
  • Janet Evanovich – Explosive seventeen - pacy, laugh out loud.
  • Summer before the war – Big fat book, delightful characters, set in rural England before WWI – if someone likes Downton Abbey.
  • An isolated incident Emily Maguire - rural Australian mystery, strong women.
  • Silver linings Martin Fletcher - Irish journalist returning from USA, to Northern Ireland, commentary about the social conditions.
  • Birk Harold Based in Ireland/Australia, following friends and families, easy reading, likeable characters.
  • The Lake (2017) (The fourth book in the Konrad Simonsen series)Danish noir, grim topics.
  • I found you, Lisa Jewel – Three view points, two time points, building tension, flawed characters.
  • This I Believe: Over 100 Eminent Australians Explore Life's Big Question – Short interviews from Australians, interesting reading it reflecting on the past.
  • Our souls at night Kent Harouf – language doorway, short, packs a punch above its length, sad.

7. IFLA global vision discussion 50 minutes

- Ellen with the IFLA documentationState of the library IFLA report –

Q4 Core value of libraries.

  • Equity and access: Library enabling social inclusion, building community connectedness.
  • Literacy – range of literacy.
  • Maintaining a free service for core services.
  • Maintaining, develop and preserve information and leisure resources for the community, and facilitating access to these.
  • For notes – in all of this open access, fighting against censorship and maintaining diversity of collection.

Q5 Libraries are exceptionally good at:

  • Quality, committed staff
  • Maximising services from available resources
  • Life long learning opportunities
  • Safe places
  • Building diverse collections

Q6 Libraries should do more of:

  • Outreach
  • Adult literacy
  • Community partnering
  • Singing their own praises
  • Evaluation – for evidence based decision making

Q7 Libraries should do less of:

  • Work shifted from other government agencies and businesses (cost shifting from the other organisation)
  • Less centralised buying
  • Less messing around with ebook models – less time managing drm and ebook management

Q8 Main challenges to society:

  • Mental health/Gastro intestinal diseases
  • Environmental health
  • Fragmentation - Increasing gap rich/poor metro/country, technology…
  • Disruptive regimes and ideologies
  • Aging population

Q9 Main challenges to libraries:

  • Funding
  • Increased responsibilities and declining resources
  • How do staff serve the people coming through the doors, mental health etc

Q10 Main professional challenges:

  • Advocacy/and library champions
  • Sharing resources
  • Reducing duplication of effort
  • Increasing training to deal with clients
  • Diversifying the kind of library staff and diversifying library spaces, including outreach
  • Would like more accessible form of professional development – remote and time shifted training

Q11 How should a united library field help meet the challenges identified.

  • Cooperation and resource sharing
  • More effective communication in multiple languages

Q12 Main challenges to libraries:

  • Cooperation and resource sharing
  • More effective communication in multiple languages

Q13 Focus of a united library field:

  • Communication
  • Tailored advocacy Advocacy/and library champions – think global act local, local solutions

8. Readers Advisory events

- one book, author talks and how to turn events into loans 40 minutes including ideas for using the literary mocktails cards.

One Book One Wagga Chrissy Bolton: the idea had come from Rockhampton, wanted a whole community ended with a gala dinner like a giant book club. Aim of supporting Australian writers, pay equity fee for authors for their appearance fee, and pay transport for author, have partner with local RSL club – they provide the accommodation, and the venue for the event, Friends of the library buy the 70 book copies plus ebooks and audio, (RRL also bought 30 copies), have to use RSL caterer and fund the meals through the tickets for the event (and use the funds for paying for the author), so the event is cost neutral. Starts on Library lover day, reading season runs to late May. Have been running for four years, with increasing numbers for the gala dinner each year in May.

They have live music, the mayor, the author is there, want people to have a glamorous night. There is good response from the authors, very popular with the community. Use the One Book One Wagga to drive membership, so that this part of the decision about who is the author. Had over 700 loans for the book this year, so can show measurable benefits. They start planning in June, and it is a team effort. They had an external provider sell the tickets. They want a name author which people will be interested in, a new publication, about six people involved in suggesting authors/titles, and does depend on who is available.

Write around the Murray Alison, from Albury: http://www.writearoundthemurray.org.au/ – Albury Library Museum – http://alburycity.nsw.gov.au/leisure-and-culture/libraries-and-museum, this is in September, big numbers of participation, 2017 program to be announced soon, the theme is Shadows, target audience in local writers, and local readers (although people from further afield participate), aiming for diverse participation, festival as part of regional tourism strategy, has been going 10 years, now 60 events over 5 day period, 30 public and 30 schools programs, Write around the Murray reinforces key role of local libraries, events mostly ticketed mix of free and fee, mostly funded by council, but some small grants, paying author costs, focus on the tourism dollar and community involvement, ‘an investment in our community’ 9. Resources from RA for All

An update on horror

•Importance of considering different book club models •How we treat our clients, how do we address them (based on the feedback on the seminar), considering preferences •Different models for one book one community •Great links for professional development

minutes_7_june_2017_riverina_regional_library_headquarters_wagga_wagga_readers_advisory.txt · Last modified: 2020/12/10 23:01 by ellen.forsyth_sl.nsw.gov.au