Fiction_L Archives Tips for Postings Dates: 12/20/00,4:31 PM  through  12/23/00,1:47 PM  (6 postings) Search for: Select one or more indexes to search: 2011-current     2009-2010     2004-2008    1995-2003    (Matches from each index will be displayed separately in the results page.) Return to December 2000 thread menu   |   Fiction_L Archives Menu

FROM: "Natalya Fishman" <[removed]@webrary.org>
REC'D: 12/20/00, 4:31 PM

Just a few comments on recent discussions:

First of all, I would like to ask everyone who wants to ask for an ideas for
a booklist to check our Booklists page first
(http://www.webrary.org/rs/FLbklistmenu.html), where we have more than 100
booklists available. Checking the Booklist page will give the person who is
seeking suggestions from the list members an idea of what has been already
discussed and when. This would be the point to start the new discussion if
it hasn't already been covered extensively. Noting to Fiction_L subscribers
that a booklist already exists, but could be updated or improved, will make
a discussion more efficient and less repetitious. All topics of our
discussions, even the most recent ones, can be found easily by searching our
archives (http://www.webrary.org/rs/flarchive.html).

And the second point I want to make concerns the recent "Harry Potter"
discussion. As you know, the main focus of Fiction_L as a mailing list is
the discussion of Reader's Services issues, displays, collection development
and book discussion topics. We welcome differences of opinions and the wide
spectrum of ideas and values from Fiction_L subscribers. However, sometimes,
very rarely, I must say, our discussions lead us away from the main topics
of our list. Sometimes views and opinions seem to be very subjective and
even offensive to some of our subscribers. Let's be careful of what we say
and how we say it, and try to be non-judgmental in our postings.

We will all appreciate a calm, positive tone to all our postings!


Happy Holidays!


Natalya


Natalya Fishman
Fiction_L Manager
Morton Grove Public Library
Morton Grove, IL 60053
[removed]@webrary.org
http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

FROM: David Wright <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 12/21/00, 2:38 PM

> Let's be careful of what we say and how we say
> it, and try to be non-judgmental in our postings.

Thank you, Natalya, for you welcome and
well-considered guidance. This is a
good reminder of the dangers in 'letting our
hair down' and getting overly personal or
opinionated in our work and collegial
relations. Even when talking with a
colleague or patron who is sympatico
with our own tastes and preferences,
we run the risk of alienating or offending
nearbye parties, especially if one has
managed to foster a nice juicy talky
atmosphere where folks enjoy discussing
books. Which brings up an interesting
service issue: how to deal judiciously
with patrons who are highly vocal about
their negative tastes. While I always
try to meet a patron on their own ground
and share their enthusiasms, sometimes I
encounter a patron who seems intent on
insulting or tearing down the reading
preferences of other patrons. My usual
response is pretty much the way I deal
with most very negative patrons, which
is basically to nod and search for a
way to redirect the patron in a positive
direction. Maybe my question is too common
sensical, but I'd be interested in hearing
how other readers' advisors have experienced
and dealt with these dicey situations.
Also effective ways to defuse the self-castigating
patron, like the Romance reader who approaches the
desk as though she were stepping into the
confessional after a major lapse.
Joyeux Noel, etc.
David Wright

"Do not search for the truth;
only cease to cherish opinions." -Seng Ts'an

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Shopping - Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products.
http://shopping.yahoo.com/

FROM: Mary K Chelton <[removed]@pop.mail.rcn.net>
REC'D: 12/22/00, 11:26 AM

You know, I've been rereading Eric Moon's essays for a talk I had to
do on "leadership," and he makes the point that robust discussion
was/is sadly lacking in our profession, and I agree. While I don't
like name-calling and having false motives attributed to me, both of
which have happened on listservs in the past, since Americans seem to
take absolutely everything personally, I think this undue emphasis on
being "nice" is ridiculous! I would much rather see robust debate. I
often wonder if it's our predominantly female composition that makes
"nice" so important, or have I just forgotten my 2-year sojourn in
dementedly polite Kansas and am now back to being a snarky
Northeasterner. I guess I've got to watch the opening of the British
parliament to get my debate fix. I also find it interesting that this
discussion of posting protocols arose over a disagreement over
parents' vs. kids' rights to read the Harry Potter books.

JMHO,

Mary K.
--
**************************************************************************************
Home: 35 Mercury Ave., East Patchogue, NY 11772-4609. Phone: (631)
286-4255 or 776-2166
Work: Graduate School of Library and Information Studies, Queens
College, 254 Rosenthal Library, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY
11367. Phone: (718) 997-3790 general office; 3667 direct voice; 3797
fax, e-mail [removed]@pop.mail.rcn.net
**************************************************************************************

FROM: "Steven A. Roman" <[removed]@addison.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 12/23/00, 9:49 AM

I sometimes wonder if strong opinions are sometimes perceived as / confused
with personal attacks. People value their own views and opinions, and when
these opinions are challenged individuals can mistake criticism of the
opinions as criticism of themselves.

This may be unavoidable, different people being sensitive about different
issues, but it does tend to put a damper on debate.

Steven A. Roman
Addison Public Library

-----Original Message-----
From: Mary K Chelton [[removed]@pop.mail.rcn.net]
Sent: Friday, December 22, 2000 10:42 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Re: Tips for Postings, etc.


You know, I've been rereading Eric Moon's essays for a talk I had to
do on "leadership," and he makes the point that robust discussion
was/is sadly lacking in our profession, and I agree. While I don't
like name-calling and having false motives attributed to me, both of
which have happened on listservs in the past, since Americans seem to
take absolutely everything personally, I think this undue emphasis on
being "nice" is ridiculous! I would much rather see robust debate. I
often wonder if it's our predominantly female composition that makes
"nice" so important, or have I just forgotten my 2-year sojourn in
dementedly polite Kansas and am now back to being a snarky
Northeasterner. I guess I've got to watch the opening of the British
parliament to get my debate fix. I also find it interesting that this
discussion of posting protocols arose over a disagreement over
parents' vs. kids' rights to read the Harry Potter books.

JMHO,

Mary K.
--
****************************************************************************
**********
Home: 35 Mercury Ave., East Patchogue, NY 11772-4609. Phone: (631)
286-4255 or 776-2166
Work: Graduate School of Library and Information Studies, Queens
College, 254 Rosenthal Library, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY
11367. Phone: (718) 997-3790 general office; 3667 direct voice; 3797
fax, e-mail [removed]@pop.mail.rcn.net
****************************************************************************
**********

FROM: "Steven A. Roman" <[removed]@addison.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 12/23/00, 9:49 AM

I sometimes wonder if strong opinions are sometimes perceived as / confused
with personal attacks. People value their own views and opinions, and when
these opinions are challenged individuals can mistake criticism of the
opinions as criticism of themselves.

This may be unavoidable, different people being sensitive about different
issues, but it does tend to put a damper on debate.

Steven A. Roman
Addison Public Library

-----Original Message-----
From: Mary K Chelton [[removed]@pop.mail.rcn.net]
Sent: Friday, December 22, 2000 10:42 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Re: Tips for Postings, etc.


You know, I've been rereading Eric Moon's essays for a talk I had to
do on "leadership," and he makes the point that robust discussion
was/is sadly lacking in our profession, and I agree. While I don't
like name-calling and having false motives attributed to me, both of
which have happened on listservs in the past, since Americans seem to
take absolutely everything personally, I think this undue emphasis on
being "nice" is ridiculous! I would much rather see robust debate. I
often wonder if it's our predominantly female composition that makes
"nice" so important, or have I just forgotten my 2-year sojourn in
dementedly polite Kansas and am now back to being a snarky
Northeasterner. I guess I've got to watch the opening of the British
parliament to get my debate fix. I also find it interesting that this
discussion of posting protocols arose over a disagreement over
parents' vs. kids' rights to read the Harry Potter books.

JMHO,

Mary K.
--
****************************************************************************
**********
Home: 35 Mercury Ave., East Patchogue, NY 11772-4609. Phone: (631)
286-4255 or 776-2166
Work: Graduate School of Library and Information Studies, Queens
College, 254 Rosenthal Library, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY
11367. Phone: (718) 997-3790 general office; 3667 direct voice; 3797
fax, e-mail [removed]@pop.mail.rcn.net
****************************************************************************
**********

FROM: Nan Palmer <[removed]@kcls.org>
REC'D: 12/23/00, 1:47 PM

Dear David,

Thank you for your wise and well-considered words.

Nan

Nan Palmer
Library Manager, Fall City Library
King County Library System
Fall City, Washington
425-222-5951 voice
206-296-5048 fax

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