Overheard at the desk
Posted by: Jessica Moyer
Last night I was visiting with the librarians at my public library discussing some ideas for a new bookgroup when a boy came up to the desk and said, “Can you suggest any good books?” I knew they did a lot of readers’ advisory at the library but I had never before heard a patron ask so clearly and specifically for RA help. Turned out he wanted a fantasy book, “a nice big fat one,” and since he had never read the Eragon books, he was happy to take the first one home.
A few minutes later the same boy came back and asked, “Can you suggest a short nonfiction book?” When the librarian asked if there were any particular subjects he was interested he said, “No, just something really short.”
It is questions like these that make me excited about providing reference services, and optimistic about the future of our public libraries.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:12 am
My middle schoolers ask this question “where are the good books?” so often that I finally made a permanent “good books bin” display. I put books there that I love but don’t know how to booktalk, along with new books and old favorites. It also has a tagline asking students to find a book in the library that they loved and add it to the bin. They surprise me with the classics that end up there. I love participatory displays! Now I can answer, “The good books? Oh, they’re in the Good Books Bin over there!”
November 12th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Cindy,
That is a great idea for a display and I love that you also get the students involved. Thanks for sharing!
November 12th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Love this idea and hope to try it!
Here’s another one to consider: For teens, I did a paper and web list of “Speed reads,” books under 200 pages. When so many bestsellers are intimidatingly large, it’s good to have something to suggest to the young person who prefers a quick read.