Week 16

First, how have reading and books changed since you were a child, for you specifically?

Books for me have not changed hugely but still have changed. I believe that the stigma of being a nerd because you read, choosing reading material without shame and more types of writing styles are available.

I remember being young and my peers relating reading to being a nerd. It was not cool or the thing to do. I enjoyed reading and it took me away from the everyday drama. I had a teacher that read “The Boxcar Children”. This story and the way she read hooked me onto reading. I wanted to find more stories that made me want to keep reading to find out the ending. A stigma was also attached to what type of books you read so sometimes I found myself hiding what I read.

Reading books that were scary, paranormal or murder made some people make remarks about me possibly being in a cult or not Christian like. I did not share book recommendations or what I was currently reading with anyone unless they read similar books. I found out that my books taste also rolled over into my movie choices. As the years have passed I have found that more genres have expanded my reading choices.

Paranormal, urban fiction and young adult that reads like adult fiction have expanded my reading choices. I do not remember these being genres available as I was growing up. I enjoy the fact that I can read a young adult book and it not be too simple and directed toward juvenile readers. They also focus on things that I can relate too when I went through my high school years. Several of the young adult books have been rolled over to film. This brings my choices of reading into my movie styles.

 Second, talk a little about what you see in the future for reading, books, or publishing - say 20 years from now. 

Where do I see the future for reading, books or publishing years from now? I see reading being more for pleasure, books still in print but more in eBook format, and publishing fighting with libraries over eBooks.

With the ease of access to books in eBook, online, and downloadable formats, people will be able to read wherever they are. Because of this reading will be more of a pleasure for people. They will not have go into a book store or library to find what they are looking for. It will be immediate satisfaction.

 Books written just in eBook format will grow in the next 20 years. The reason for this is the ability to get published is easier, cost of production is less and the publishers have control of lending facilities such as libraries. As it stands now, some publishers have made it difficult for libraries to lend eBooks with limitations. These limitations include how many times it can be borrowed and the cost is the same as print material.

The battle between publishers and libraries will continue to grow. The dollar is mighty for the profit world and limited in the library world. Libraries have tried to keep up with the needs and wants of patrons while dealing with budget restrictions. These restrictions are also the reason for less materials being purchased. In order to use tax dollars wisely libraries need to purchase wisely. Publishers can make this difficult. 

Week 15

In order to promote a fiction collection I would come up with a plan that would promote the fiction collection in several ways. These would need to be done visually in house and out by using print, social media, and visual displays.

In house marketing would include displays that show the fiction collection in large and standard print, paperback, and audio. It would also include marketing with flyers, tents showing specific authors and bookmarks that include a list of fiction authors.

Example:

                             

Social media such as Facebook and Twitter would be used to post blogs and tweets about authors and the collection. Along with this how to find these materials and how to connect to Hoopla and Overdrive to access additional formats of the materials.

When promoting out of house postcards, flyers and newsletters would be used. For those who choose to sign up to receive a monthly newsletter could read about the collection. Flyers could be posted in laundry mats, community boards and locations where people are waiting and are looking for something to keep busy during that time.

Example:


                             

 Of course the one way to always promote any collection or material is word of mouth. It is free and easy to do. Informed staff can provide the word of mouth promotion to engage patrons and talk about about the collections. With in house and out of house promotion through social media, displays, print material and word of mouth, a collection can be highlighted.

Week 14

I would not put GBLTQ fiction and African American Fiction in separate collections. Three reasons for not separating them are preconceived ideas about the two, patron privacy, and shelf space.

Readers can already have an idea that they do not like these two fictions because of the content they believe they will contain. By not having them separated these patrons may stumble upon a book that they would not read because of what they think the content is. For readers who do not know about these two type of fiction it gives them an opportunity to find new authors and type of books to read.

With the divide on the subject of GBLTQ separating them could bring more resistance from patrons. A patron who is against the subject matter in GBLTQ may demand removal of the books. They may believe that their child could get a hold of the material and they do not want it influencing them. For those patrons that would like to read about this subject, having the opportunity to find them among other fiction gives them privacy. This privacy can prevent others from judging them based on their reading preferences. However, I do not feel the same with African American Fiction. If this fiction is separated I do not believe there would be resistance from patrons. Because of this readers of African American Fiction do not feel ashamed or the need for privacy about their reading preferences. By having it with other fiction gives non readers, of the subject content, an opportunity to find it by accident.

Shelf space can be limited in a library. Finding extra space to separate out these two types of fiction could pose a problem. Lyttle and Walsh talk about “combining all fiction books together to save shelf space.” They also suggest if you already have items separated into smaller groupings, letting staff and patrons know about changes if you plan to put them back together to find more shelf space. Even though it would be convenient and a quick way for patrons if they were separated, having shelf space for newer items is important also.  

Patron privacy, shelf space and preconceived ideas are the reasons why I would not separate these two types of fiction. The convince and ease of having them separated do give valid reason to separate the two but they do not out way the others. 

Lyttle, M., & Walsh, S. (2015, May 5). Separate or Keep Together? Retrieved April 16, 2017, from http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2015/05/separate-or-keep-together/

Wifey's Next Come Up

Wifey’s Next Come Up

By Kiki Swinson

Genre: Urban Fiction

Publication Date: 2015

Number of Pages: 198

Series: Wifey, 8

Summary

Kira thought all of her problems would be gone with her father. She was wrong. Detective Grimes is out to prove Kira knows more then she is sharing and he won’t stop until he proves it.

Subject Headings:

African American Women--Fiction

Murder--Fiction

Urban Fiction

Three terms that describe this book: 

Steamy

Sex can be detailed or the atmosphere created leaving readers knowing what happens.

Fast-paced

Swinson writes short chapters keeping the story moving.  

Gritty

Death seems to be common in Urban Fiction. It has to do with the lifestyles that the characters are living.

Read-A-likes

Baddest Chick by Nisa Santiago

Midnight by Sista Souljah

Kiss The Ring by Meesha Mink

The farm by Emily McKay

The Farm

By Emily McKay

Genre: Teen Fiction

Publication Date: 2012

Number of Pages: 420

Series: Farm, 1

Summary

Emily and her twin sister, Mel, have been sent to a farm just like the rest of the teenagers and children. The farms allow blood to be collected to keep the vampires and ticks happy. Emily and Mel have planned a way to escape with the help of a high school friend. Will they survive the escape? What is waiting for them if they do?

Subject Headings:

Vampires--Fiction

Twin Sisters--Fiction

Three terms that describe this book: 

First Person Narrative

Mel and Emily might be twins but they see the world differently. Readers are able to see this with chapters that are written from their own thoughts.

Fast-paced

The story is constantly moving as the characters look for ways to leave the farm and what unfolds after their escape. The chapters are short making it a page turner.

Suspenseful

Readers are kept on the edge of their seats as they wait to see if Emily and Mel survive encounters with ticks.

Read-A-likes

The Prey by Tom Isbell

True Born by L.E. Sterling

Erasing Time by C.J. Hill

Week 13

As an adult who reads Young Adult Fiction, I believe that it should be embraced as another resource for adult readers. I do not necessarily want grown up solutions or content to read. Some of the content of Young Adult Fiction is relate able to those things that I dealt with as a teen. I feel that I can relate to the characters in the books and their situations.

As a readers adviser the option to explore Young Adult Books should be suggested to readers. There are many books that can carry over into the adult genre world. An example I would suggest is "The Farm" by Emily McKay. It has vampires and teens dealing with being chosen for their blood. The characters have to deal with adult type of situations but are still dealing with the reality they are only teens and the adults cannot help them. The pace of the book is fast paced and the chapters are not long, keeping you turning the pages. These are some of the same things that adult readers are looking for in a book.

When it comes to graphic novels they may not be a genre but their format gives reluctant readers a place to start.  Even though graphic novels do not have one specific genre they should be treated as another format for readers.Some readers need visual help to fully understand the content. If the reader struggles to read having less reading to do at a time can be a plus.  Just like with audio and ebooks which allow readers to read with quick access or listen to a story due to hearing loss. As a parent I encouraged my children to read what format and genre that interested them and got them reading.

As a readers adviser Young Adult Fiction and graphic novels should be part of the recommendations to those seeking help. Just as we look to find recommendations based on their preferences we should be giving them options that do not fit the mold of what is written for adults. They may be reluctant to say they have trouble reading. By making the recommendations they may find confidence to share this information the next time they seek you for help.

Author:

Serene Allison and Pearl Barrett

Title:

Trim Healthy Mama

Publication Date:

August 2012

Number of pages:

619

Subject Headings:

Reducing diets—Recipes

Weight loss

Nutrition

Christian life

Where is the book on the narrative continuum?

A Mix of fact and narrative

What is the subject of the book?

How to lose weight, become healthy and do it all while being a mom.

Reducing diets—Recipes

Weight loss

Nutrition

Christian life

What type of book is it?

Food and nutrition

Articulate Appeal

What is the pacing of the book? 

Steady

Describe the characters of the book. 

Mothers, sisters and friends are what the authors are. They use humor and experience to teach what they believe.

How does the story feel? 

There is a lot of information but the sisters make it fun.

What is the intent of the author?

 To help people learn a new way to become healthy through change that is a lifestyle not diet.

Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials? N/A

Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding and experience? Yes but it can be a little overwhelming.

Why would a reader enjoy this book (rank appeal)?

1. Learning

2. Humor

3. Health