Time to turn the page : Library education for Readers' Advisory Services

Abstract

Library Education for Readers' Advisory Services Readers' advisory service is a major focus of public libraries. In their book Readers' Advisory Service in Public Library, Saricks and Brown defined readers' advisory service as a patron-oriented library service for adult fiction readers.[1] Simply stated, this service connects readers with books they would like to read--often genre fiction. The popularity of this service with patrons is, in turn, accompanied by a demand for educational programs for library staff, including courses in library education programs. Unfortunately, not enough librarians have opportunities to develop readers' advisory expertise as part of library degree programs. The increasing availability of readers' advisory resources, including electronic databases, Web sites, electronic discussion groups, in-house and regional in-service sessions, and professional conference workshops and programs only superficially addresses desire of librarians to effectively provide readers' advisory services. It is time for a closer look at what library education offers to prepare librarians for readers' advisory services and to encourage an expansion of that role. The American Library Association's Readers' Advisory Committee of Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), Collection Development and Evaluation Section (CODES), examined education needs of librarians working as readers' advisors. In 1999, Readers Advisory Committee solicited information from ALA-accredited programs about readers' advisory related course offerings and requested copies of course syllabi. With this information, committee gained a better understanding of available courses and their content and concluded other programs should offer similar courses. This report includes a summary compilation of supplied data, which can be used as a guide for other ALA-accredited programs interested in developing future courses. The Importance of Education for Readers' Advisory Services Library users want and expect to find information, desired reading materials, and knowledgeable assistance at their local library. To address wide variety of information needs, librarians call upon all types of materials: reference, nonfiction, and fiction. Traditionally, however, librarians have received more training and education to support reference queries than those related to fiction. This lack of training in readers' advisory services can present problems for librarians when assisting readers with fiction materials. Since demand for fiction in public libraries is consistently high, ranging from 60 to 70 percent of what patrons look for when they come to library, this need for assistance occurs regularly.[2] In North Carolina, 1996 data revealed that fiction comprised 67 percent of all circulation.[3] Even so, current readers' advisory education does not prepare librarians for this demand. Ross, in her 1991 essay on library users and reading, stated, Librarians tend to feel apologetic about fiction, as if public libraries are most respectable when providing utilitarian facts and information.[4] Since more patrons visit public libraries to select recreational reading materials than to seek reference assistance, librarians need specific preparatory courses to provide readers' advisory services successfully. In fact, as Baker has stated, the question negotiation process for readers' advisory questions may be somewhat more complicated than negotiation process for reference questions.[5] In 1996 report Buildings, Books, and Bytes: Libraries and Communities in Digital Age, Benton Foundation sought to determine current areas of public support for libraries in an increasingly digital world. The findings confirm a continuing need for libraries and their services: Americans support their public libraries and hold them in high esteem ... [a]nd they accord equal value to libraries as places where people can read and borrow books or use computers to find information and use online services. …

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