Establishing Routines- Part 3 - Floor Time

 "Floor Time" is when I am Not in my office( that is Desk Time- see Establishing Routines- Desk Time).  Each day I try to spend as much time as possible  on 'Floor  Time". Why?  because I want to be viable to the patrons and the staff and I want to be available for help  when needed.

  This is a time when I am really 'being' a librarian by assisting patrons with reference and reading questions. During this time, I can help patrons locate books,  provide computer help, and discuss reading   suggestions and preferences.

   There are many other tasks and activities that I also do during floor time which helps me keep tabs on the physical site of the library building. This is a challenge  because we are in a 100 year old bank building so something is almost always is needing attention.

Book Browse- another social media site for librarians and Book Lovers!

Book Browse  Visitors can view BookBrowse  for free. You can also join for even  more content- I did not join yet- I am too busy seeing all I can for free.  There are lots to do and I want to see all that I can get for free!

   On the main pates  there is a featured daily book with reviews, publication information and summary, short excerpts , and a reading guide questions ( all for the featured book!)   Also , you will see This Weeks Top Picks, which showcases 10 or 11 books and gives the same information at noted above.

   There is a free twice monthly newsletter with lots of information on the newest books.  Among other tabs,  one is Recommendations by members.  Another is Read - a -Likes lets you browse recommended title and authors. There is a book club tab where members can log in and discuss books.

   Also this site has a great tool for librarians to help keep them on top of the newest books.  We can also use it to help our patrons find their next great read.  It would also be a great help with collection developments.

   The site contains book reviews and other tools in a very user friendly and searchable.   In Book Browse, you can browse or search for your preferences. There are cross references to genres, themes, and time periods. Book Browse pulls the best  books  to help guide readers to the books they will love,   It can also be linked to you local  OPAC at your library.

  Key Features: Browse or Search, Readalikes, Complete Book information, reader reviews, and resources for book clubs.


Bookbrowse

Good Reads- a great tool for librarians

   Have you seen GoodReads?   It is another 'Social Media '  site for book lovers and librarians.  This can be another useful tool to help librarians and patrons  find more good books to read.   Check it out if you haven't seen this one already!

  Those who are registered can check out what their friends are reading and also get an idea of what to read next. There are also ideas of 'read a likes " that are very helpful.

  Good Reads has a great selection  and you can search and browse by many different genres. There are also trivia  games, quizzes  on books and quotes from authors.

   As a librarian, I love the Good Read Choice awards. I use it when I am preparing book lists for buying what people/ patrons really  want to read.  It is a full website. You can see reviews  and ratings of books which are very helpful.  There is also opportunity to join discussion groups, start a book club, and post your own writing.

   Good Reads helps Patrons track their reading and find good books to read, There are also book give aways  and other prizes.

Booklist online- advisory source and book reviews!

  Another great resource for both readers advisories and book reviews is Booklist online. Yes it is one and the same - from the journal Booklist!   And it is from the experts - ALA! So this site and the  journal itself is a great source for  both public and school librarians looking for  reputable reviews.

   BookListonline is a free website that offers a great selection of the Booklist content.  Plus there are many reviews of recommended reviews. Also included are some of the features written for Booklist online. If you are a subscriber to Booklist- you can obtain even more content.  But even if you are not a subscriber there are many features that are available for you to use. There are many columns, departments, and features available.

     Some things to check out on this site :  Review of the day, links to booklists from certain publishers with certain genres, links to Booklist latest articles( Latest- Editors Choices for 2013), links to blogs  from Booklsit staff and reviewers( Booklist Buzz, & Shelf Renewal ), links to current newsletters,  and links to sign up for Free Webinars!

   So check out  www.booklistonline.com/  to find out some  great content and reviews!

Internet Resources for Readers Advisories- Ficiotn_L

     There are many Internet  resources for Readers Advisories. As I discover them I will pass along the ones I find are best for both school and public libraries.   Many of the Internet resources are really amazing with the amount of information that they contain.

   FictionL  is found on the Morton Grove Public Library ( Illinois) site.   This is an electronic  mailing list where librarians can ask and answer questions relating to providing readers advisories to patrons.,  It is intended for use by librarians and leaders of book discussions, but anyone can subscribe to it if they want.

   There are many topics that is contained with this link: book discussions, book talks, issues on collection development , book lists, and bibliographies. n   There are many topics discussed here . Some additional items  are audio books, reading clubs, and print and electronic resources.

  Once you get on here , you will find  this a valuable tool. Especially if you have a question about a title, give them a clue and they will come up the title that you are looking for  it with an obscure  item from the book.

  There is an archive   of all Ficiotn_L postings back to the beginning. There is a search form enabling librarians and patrons to search  a topic of interest .   There are book lists  made available for use by librarians and patrons.   You can find lists of : genres, character, setting, subject, author, audience,  and miscellaneous.    I am looking forward to using this my self and also letting my clerks and patrons know how easy it is to use.

 http://www.mgpl.org/read-listen-view/fl/flmenu/

Readers Advisory- Indirect

   In the last couple of posts, I have talked about Readers Advisory's.  But we can also indirectly advise and advance students and patrons reading .Some patrons and students might actually prefer this indirect way to direct conversations.

    Here are some simple indirect readers advisories;

1. Displays of certain genres- with a slogan "Looking for a Good Book?"

2. Reading Guides( If you liked_____(an author or genre) then try these!) the student or patron can pick it up on their own ad read it with out speaking or asking a librarian or reader's advisor.

3. Annotated Book lists- again the patron can read brief blurbs about books. Our library provides a monthly list of new titles this way.

4. Book Marks- This is another indirect way to show books in a specific genre,

5. Staff recommendations. Display or list what the library staff is currently reading .This makes it way for staff and patrons.

  Where should we have these displays or lists? How about near the entrance of the library , in high traffic areas, at the end of stacks , or other areas where people congregate or meet. This is where patrons and students will see the displays and are more likely to catch a quick book to read. These books on display usually circulate quickly.

 So if you are new to readers advisory, this may be the way to start!

Reader's Advisory's - How do they work?

     Reader's Advisories work  in many different ways and views.  Most of the time there a conversation focusing on the readers likes and dislikes.  There may be a discussion on reading level, genre, style of writing, and perhaps characters, storylines and setting.

   Hopefully after the discussion, the advisor, can help the patron by suggesting books to be read.  "Readalikes: which focuses on a similar genre or author's style is one great way to proceed when helping patrons.

   The goal is to suggest titles, or authors, based on the patrons individual interests and tastes.  While we may suggest our favorites, we have to keep in mind to hone in on the patrons interests, otherwise we are not being at all helpful.

   You may ask the patron to describe a book they have read and enjoyed. Have them focus on not just the plot so much, but the elements of the book that they found appleaing and interesting.  The advisor draws on on personal knowledge of their collections or by checking the  online catalog. The librarian advisor may also suggest titles that point readers in a new venue or genre.

Readers Advisory at the Public Library

     Readers Advisory  services can be a great way to get to know patrons and their reading preferences,  Readers Advisory helps us connect to individuals and groups as readers.
    Asking for book suggestions and giving book suggestions is a core task of a librarians daily activities. Many patrons  however do not know they can ask for suggestions for something 'good to read.'
     There are patrons who ask 'What's a good book to read?" .When they do they may get a variety of answers depending whom they ask.
     It is helpful to find  out what kinds of books the patron likes and then lead them to some comparable and  similar authors and series.  This can be done informally by conversation. Some libraries also provide simple surveys to see what patrons like and then work with the survey and patrons to complete the  process.
    Other ways to provide Readers Advisory is though books displays, discussion groups, read alike lists, and posters.   Now we can also include blogs, or pod casts( as part of the library website) and social networking sites. ( twitter, Facebook)
     Readers Advisory is how the library connects to patrons. So if you plan on doing Readers Advisory formally , think about how you will go about it and what kind of form you will use.    I will have other blogs in the weeks to come as I learn more about it and try to figure  out how I will go a bout doing it  ..Will I form a formal program or just informal.  All of these questions I will think about and decide on as I continue learning more about it.