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Fiction_L Archives
Science Fiction
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FROM: Mary K Chelton <[removed]@pop.mail.rcn.net>
REC'D: 3/9/01, 8:38 AM
Last night in my Readers' Advisory Services for Adults class, we
discussed SF and fantasy, and with very few exceptions, everyone
loathed SF, couldn't read it, etc. I would be discouraged if I
thought this was my fault, but that reaction has been so typical of
[primarily] female librarians [although we also had one male in the
camp] that I am no longer surprised. We talked about various appeal
factors, fan terms and obvious barriers, etc., but I was left
wondering two things: 1) Is there any way to get someone who loathes
SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it or came to
like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone minimally
competent in being able to suggest anything to SF readers. No wonder
they avoid us!
Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.
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: [removed]@middlesbrough.gov.uk
REC'D: 3/9/01, 8:38 AM
What Future Tense can do for you:
- reach 18-35 year-olds who think libraries know nothing about recent
sharp-edge science fiction and fantasy
- tempt readers who think SF and fantasy are only for anoraks to try
out some brilliant reads
- get a slow area of stock moving fast
- give your readers a visual treat
Samantha Gavaghan
Senior Stock Development Librarian
Middlesbrough Libraries and Information
Victoria Square
Middlesborough
TS1 2AY
FROM: Diana Tixier Herald <[removed]@wic.net>
REC'D: 3/9/01, 8:49 AM
As far as SF for readers who think they don't like it, The Sparrow by Mary
Doria Russell has been a good one. I know one book group who read it and
came to the conclusion that it wasn't SF due to the fact they liked it! It
is also the first SF book I was able to convince my mother to read. The
short story "Even the Queen" by Connie Willis is another one that sometimes
makes converts. I think it would be a great one to read in a RA class to
introduce SF and start a discussion on how it is the literature of ideas.
--
Happy reading,
Diana Tixier Herald
[removed]@wic.net see the Genrefluent page at http://www.genrefluent.com
Rosenberg's First Law of Reading "Never apologize for your reading tastes."
FROM: "Mary Rindfleisch" <[removed]@biblio.org>
REC'D: 3/9/01, 10:23 AM
Mary Rindfleisch
Adult Services/Readers' Advisory Librarian
Ridgefield Library
472 Main St.
Ridgefield, CT 06877
Phone: 203-438-2282
e-mail: [removed]@biblio.org
-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org
[[removed]@maillist.webrary.org]On Behalf Of Mary K Chelton
Sent: Friday, March 09, 2001 9:17 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Science Fiction
Dear Fellow Listers:
Last night in my Readers' Advisory Services for Adults class, we
discussed SF and fantasy, and with very few exceptions, everyone
loathed SF, couldn't read it, etc. I would be discouraged if I
thought this was my fault, but that reaction has been so typical of
[primarily] female librarians [although we also had one male in the
camp] that I am no longer surprised. We talked about various appeal
factors, fan terms and obvious barriers, etc., but I was left
wondering two things: 1) Is there any way to get someone who loathes
SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it or came to
like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone minimally
competent in being able to suggest anything to SF readers. No wonder
they avoid us!
Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.
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: Lisa Price <[removed]@MtLaurel.Lib.NJ.US>
REC'D: 3/9/01, 10:55 AM
Lisa Price
Mount Laurel (NJ) Library\
Opinions are my own.
Mary K Chelton wrote:
>
> Dear Fellow Listers:
>
> Last night in my Readers' Advisory Services for Adults class, we
> discussed SF and fantasy, and with very few exceptions, everyone
> loathed SF, couldn't read it, etc. I would be discouraged if I
> thought this was my fault, but that reaction has been so typical of
> [primarily] female librarians [although we also had one male in the
> camp] that I am no longer surprised. We talked about various appeal
> factors, fan terms and obvious barriers, etc., but I was left
> wondering two things: 1) Is there any way to get someone who loathes
> SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it or came to
> like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone minimally
> competent in being able to suggest anything to SF readers. No wonder
> they avoid us!
>
> Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.
>
> 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
> **************************************************************************************
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
FROM: "Sharon Custer" <[removed]@alpha.clarion-net.com>
REC'D: 3/9/01, 11:27 AM
You're not an exception. I too am a female librarian who love SF/Fantasy.
One way I have introduced people to SF/Fantasy is to introduce them to the
multi-genre books written by popular SF/Fantasy authors. I have introduced
mystery readers to Mercedes Lackey books by handing them Sacred Ground, an
SF/Mystery. Those who like Time Travel books get handed 1632 by Eric Flint
(one of my all-time favorites, by the way). Men who like war novels get
handed On Basilisk Station (1st book in the Honor Harrinton series) by David
Weber. Weber's Honor Harrington series is an excellent Military SF series.
One nice thing about the Honor Harrington series is that an electronic
version of the 1st one is available for free from the publisher. The
publisher has started a "Free Library" where electonic versions of some of
the older books are available for either downloading or reading on-line.
They have 5 formats available for download. (html, rtc, Rocket eBook,
Mobipocket for the Palm OS, and Microsoft Reader format) The publisher is
Baen Books http://www.baen.com , just scoll down to the Free Library link
and you can see the list if you are interested.
Sharon Custer
Eccles-Lesher Memorial Library
673 Main Street
PO Box 359
Rimersburg, PA 16248
(814) 473-3800
FAX: (814) 473-8200
[removed]@alpha.clarion-net.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lisa Price" <[removed]@MtLaurel.Lib.NJ.US>
To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
Sent: Friday, March 09, 2001 11:52 AM
Subject: Re: Science Fiction
> I don't read much SF any more, but I loved it as a teen and still enjoy
> it occasionally. I particulary like anything having to do with time
> travel. One suggestion I might have (although it would only work long
> term) is to offer SF to young teenage girls. If they learn to like it
> before it becomes "something they're not supposed to enjoy," perhaps
> they will continue to enjoy it. My father introduced me via Heinlein,
> and I still have some familiarity with the genre. Does this make me an
> exception, a female librarian who knows something about SF?
>
> Lisa Price
> Mount Laurel (NJ) Library\
> Opinions are my own.
>
> Mary K Chelton wrote:
> >
> > Dear Fellow Listers:
> >
> > Last night in my Readers' Advisory Services for Adults class, we
> > discussed SF and fantasy, and with very few exceptions, everyone
> > loathed SF, couldn't read it, etc. I would be discouraged if I
> > thought this was my fault, but that reaction has been so typical of
> > [primarily] female librarians [although we also had one male in the
> > camp] that I am no longer surprised. We talked about various appeal
> > factors, fan terms and obvious barriers, etc., but I was left
> > wondering two things: 1) Is there any way to get someone who loathes
> > SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it or came to
> > like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone minimally
> > competent in being able to suggest anything to SF readers. No wonder
> > they avoid us!
> >
> > Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.
> >
> > 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
> >
****************************************************************************
**********
> >
> > ......................................................................
> > Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> > Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>
FROM: "Sarah Stein" <[removed]@denver.lib.co.us>
REC'D: 3/9/01, 11:38 AM
I still read SF.
But I must admit I do NOT like most of what is currently being published. So perhaps I am not a good person to respond to this. (Besides, I'm a cataloger, hanging out here 'cause I love books not because I do readers' advisory.)
But as far as getting librarians (presumably grown up) who hate SF to read it anyhow-- SF covers a lot of ground. There's the border-line fantasy of course. (Do they hate fantasy too?) But someone interested in people might do better with something with a strong sociological base rather than space opera or something with a lot of "hard" science... Maybe the recent (sort of) reissue of Zenna Henderson's People stories?
I hate & refuse to read Horror-- but I did read and enjoy some of the lighter sort, e.g. Mercedes Lackey's Diana Tregarde, by focussing on the people and relationships.
Just my thoughts,
Sarah
Sarah Stein
Senior Special Collections Librarian
Denver Public Library
Denver, Colorado, USA
[removed]@denver.lib.co.us
FROM: "Cynthia Orr" <[removed]@cpl.org>
REC'D: 3/9/01, 11:48 AM
I think what it comes back to is the thing that you and Catherine Ross have said--readers
have to have some successful reading experiences or it just seems too much to keep
slogging through more books they're not enjoying. So I'd like to suggest that when
recommending books for a reader trying a new genre they think they may not like, it would
make sense to recommend "best of" titles in that genre? Exceptionally good reads?
Cindy
Mary K Chelton wrote:
> Dear Fellow Listers:
>
> Last night in my Readers' Advisory Services for Adults class, we
> discussed SF and fantasy, and with very few exceptions, everyone
> loathed SF, couldn't read it, etc. I would be discouraged if I
> thought this was my fault, but that reaction has been so typical of
> [primarily] female librarians [although we also had one male in the
> camp] that I am no longer surprised. We talked about various appeal
> factors, fan terms and obvious barriers, etc., but I was left
> wondering two things: 1) Is there any way to get someone who loathes
> SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it or came to
> like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone minimally
> competent in being able to suggest anything to SF readers. No wonder
> they avoid us!
>
> Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.
>
> 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
> **************************************************************************************
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
--
**********************************************************************
Cynthia Orr Email: [removed]@cpl.org
Collection Manager Phone: 216-623-2906
Cleveland Public Library Fax: 216-623-2977
17133 Lake Shore Boulevard
Cleveland, OH 44110 http://www.cpl.org
**********************************************************************
FROM: Kaite Mediatore <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 3/10/01, 2:36 PM
Yeah, we covered quite a bit of ground. And after about an
hour of discussion and numerous suggestions for reading
material, we reached some of the following conclusions.
I have never done very much RA for readers of SF in my ten
years as a librarian. I can't say for sure whether this is
because I never paid much attention to SF or because there
just weren't the SF readers at Emporia Public. But once I
became more familiar with the SF genre, I did begin to
notice that I naver handled as many SF RA queries as I did
in other genres or general fiction. When I did enter into
conversation with SF readers, I found out that for the most
part, SF readers don't need/want much help selecting books.
They keep up with their genre very well, better than most
librarians. They are also more inclined to try new and
different authors in other genres and aren't afraid to
browse the shelves to look for it.
My coworker pointed out that quite a few SF readers start
when they are very young, and get hooked during their
teenage years. They're usually very bright kids with high
reading levels. She mentioned that those kinds of kids are
the ones who like libraries and make an effort to
understand how a library operates and thus, usually don't
need as much help from a librarian finding what they want.
We talked about the literary/popular culture history of SF
and how difficult it was for women to break into the genre
during the 50s and 60s and how SF movies before Star Wars
were bad B pictures. We talked about how the perceptions of
women in SF written in the 50s and 60s and the B movies
would turn off potential female readers. We talked about
how male centered the early novels were with an emphasis on
action instead of people and relationships which might not
appeal to many women readers. We talked about gender
perceptions in the 50s, 60s and 70s and how those might
have shaped older readers today.
Finally, we decided that in order to promote SF, librarians
should do two things. Understand the different appeal
factors of a SciFi novel, and think of them in terms of
general fiction. Second, when talking with a reader, find
out what appeals to him/her about a book and then hook the
reader up with a SF novel which has the same elements.
I am one of those readers who does not gravitate towards
SF, but I'm willing to try it, especially the titles which
straddle different genres. But in order to intelligently
promote SF, I will have to examine a number of books and
try to think of their appeal factors in relation to non-SF
books. I think this is the best way to promote SF to
readers who wouldn't ordinarily consider the genre.
Incidentally, for a genre I don't particularly care for, I
am absolutely fascinated with the culture surrounding SF.
It's literary history is rich and intriguing. I am
entertained by the stories I hear about authors, readers,
Con attendees and presenters. I am utterly enthralled with
the way the readers and fans embrace their literature. I
don't know of any other genre that can generate the degree
of loyalty and devotion that SF does. Romance comes close,
but SF is king.
Hoping this all helps,
Kaite
- Mary K Chelton <[removed]@pop.mail.rcn.net> wrote:
> Dear Fellow Listers:
>
> Last night in my Readers' Advisory Services for Adults
> class, we
> discussed SF and fantasy, and with very few exceptions,
> everyone
> loathed SF, couldn't read it, etc. I would be discouraged
> if I
> thought this was my fault, but that reaction has been so
> typical of
> [primarily] female librarians [although we also had one
> male in the
> camp] that I am no longer surprised. We talked about
> various appeal
> factors, fan terms and obvious barriers, etc., but I was
> left
> wondering two things: 1) Is there any way to get someone
> who loathes
> SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it
> or came to
> like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone
> minimally
> competent in being able to suggest anything to SF
> readers. No wonder
> they avoid us!
>
> Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.
>
> 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
>
**************************************************************************************
>
>
>
......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L:
http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
=====
Kaite Mediatore, Reader's Services Librarian
KCKPL Main Branch
625 Minnesota Ave.
Kansas City, KS 66101
913.279.2212 fx 913.279.2032
[removed]@kckpl.lib.ks.us
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/
FROM: "Marsha Valance" <[removed]@mpl.org>
REC'D: 3/10/01, 2:58 PM
For regency romance fans, offer them Lois McMaster Bujold's "Civil Campaign" or Pat Wrede's "Sorcery and Cecilia".
For mystery fans, try Bujold again with "Memory", Isaac Asimov 's "Caves of Steel" or Randall Garrett's "Lord Darcy Investigates".
For "hero's journey"/coming-of-age, suggest any of L.E. Modesitt's Recluse novels.
For historical novel readers, suggest Judith Tarr or Harry Turtledove.
For military buffs, give them Eric Flint or David Drake.
Booklist and VOYA usually try to review the best new stuff, so reading their reviews should help keep them abreast of new stuff.
HTH,
Marsha Valance
Regional Librarian
Wisconsin Regional Library f/t Blind & Physically Handicapped
813 West Wells St.
Milwaukee, WI 53233
1.800.242.8822 [in-state]
<[removed]@mpl.org>
>>> [removed]@pop.mail.rcn.net 03/09/01 08:16AM >>>
Dear Fellow Listers:
Last night in my Readers' Advisory Services for Adults class, we
discussed SF and fantasy, and with very few exceptions, everyone
loathed SF, couldn't read it, etc. I would be discouraged if I
thought this was my fault, but that reaction has been so typical of
[primarily] female librarians [although we also had one male in the
camp] that I am no longer surprised. We talked about various appeal
factors, fan terms and obvious barriers, etc., but I was left
wondering two things: 1) Is there any way to get someone who loathes
SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it or came to
like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone minimally
competent in being able to suggest anything to SF readers. No wonder
they avoid us!
Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.
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: willmar staff <[removed]@willmar.lib.mn.us>
REC'D: 3/10/01, 3:08 PM
FROM: Anne Marquis <[removed]@publib.edmonton.ab.ca>
REC'D: 3/10/01, 3:30 PM
Anne Marquis
Fiction Librarian
Information Services
Edmonton Public Library
7 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2V4
Canada
[removed]@publib.edmonton.ab.ca
-----Original Message-----
From: Mary K Chelton [[removed]@pop.mail.rcn.net]
Sent: Friday, March 09, 2001 7:17 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Science Fiction
Dear Fellow Listers:
Last night in my Readers' Advisory Services for Adults class, we
discussed SF and fantasy, and with very few exceptions, everyone
loathed SF, couldn't read it, etc. I would be discouraged if I
thought this was my fault, but that reaction has been so typical of
[primarily] female librarians [although we also had one male in the
camp] that I am no longer surprised. We talked about various appeal
factors, fan terms and obvious barriers, etc., but I was left
wondering two things: 1) Is there any way to get someone who loathes
SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it or came to
like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone minimally
competent in being able to suggest anything to SF readers. No wonder
they avoid us!
Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.
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: Anne Marquis <[removed]@publib.edmonton.ab.ca>
REC'D: 3/10/01, 3:30 PM
I read SF patchily (can I make up that word?). I found that when I needed
to assign SF to other library staff for a workshop, it helped if I could
find titles that could be seen as crossing into other genres--mystery,
romance, alternate history--or where the characters were more fully
developed or there was a good dollop of humour or an in-depth exploration of
issues. I felt that matching staff to elements that appealed to them would
give them an entry point to the author's world and to the genre. I
personally used this technique and am still working on expanding my horizons
in this area. I have recently decided that short stories are the way to
go--less time and energy commitment, if I dislike the author/story.
Anne Marquis
Fiction Librarian
Information Services
Edmonton Public Library
7 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2V4
Canada
[removed]@publib.edmonton.ab.ca
-----Original Message-----
From: Mary K Chelton [[removed]@pop.mail.rcn.net]
Sent: Friday, March 09, 2001 7:17 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Science Fiction
Dear Fellow Listers:
Last night in my Readers' Advisory Services for Adults class, we
discussed SF and fantasy, and with very few exceptions, everyone
loathed SF, couldn't read it, etc. I would be discouraged if I
thought this was my fault, but that reaction has been so typical of
[primarily] female librarians [although we also had one male in the
camp] that I am no longer surprised. We talked about various appeal
factors, fan terms and obvious barriers, etc., but I was left
wondering two things: 1) Is there any way to get someone who loathes
SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it or came to
like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone minimally
competent in being able to suggest anything to SF readers. No wonder
they avoid us!
Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.
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: C Gertz <[removed]@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca>
REC'D: 3/10/01, 3:52 PM
I agree with Sharon (and many of the other respondents to this question)
that people will become interested in Science Fiction by reading
cross-over titles.
Patrons in our library do not seem to like science fiction and these
titles do not move very quickly--unless they are attracted to the title
for some other reason, usually that it has strong elements of another
genre.
To add to Sharon's suggestions, there are many romance readers who would
probably enjoy some sci fi titles if they knew what was out there. Readers
who have read J.D. Robb may be interested in Catherine Asaro (Phoenix
Code, Veiled Web), Connie Willis and Cynthia D. Felice (Promised Land and
Water Witch) and Bujold's Cordelia's Honor. I might also count Dean
Koontz's Dark Rivers of the Heart in this list as well.
This approach may work with your patrons and it has worked for some of my
friends and acquaintances who hate sci fi.
Christine Gertz
Strathcona County Library
[removed]@ualberta.ca
FROM: Robin Harwood <[removed]@dupagels.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 3/10/01, 4:14 PM
Sometimes people are intimidated by SF and fantasy titles because they are
soooo long. Trying out the genre by reading short story collections might
help. Connie Willis has a great collection titled Miracle and other
Christmas stories that will appeal to a wide audience. Additionally,
stories written for teen audiences, such as Shusterman's Scorpion Shards,
or fantasies based on traditional fairy tales might be a non-threatening
starting point.
I used to think that I didn't like science fiction or fantasy, but I can't
resist a good book, no matter what the genre. I started reading these when
I needed to create bibliographies for patrons, and now I seem to be hooked.
Robin Harwood
Carol Stream Public Library
-----Original Message-----
From: Mary K Chelton [[removed]@pop.mail.rcn.net]
Sent: Friday, March 09, 2001 8:17 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Science Fiction
Dear Fellow Listers:
Last night in my Readers' Advisory Services for Adults class, we
discussed SF and fantasy, and with very few exceptions, everyone
loathed SF, couldn't read it, etc. I would be discouraged if I
thought this was my fault, but that reaction has been so typical of
[primarily] female librarians [although we also had one male in the
camp] that I am no longer surprised. We talked about various appeal
factors, fan terms and obvious barriers, etc., but I was left
wondering two things: 1) Is there any way to get someone who loathes
SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it or came to
like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone minimally
competent in being able to suggest anything to SF readers. No wonder
they avoid us!
Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.
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: J Heuer <[removed]@itol.com>
REC'D: 3/11/01, 10:37 AM
--
Jeanne Heuer
Brown County Library
Green Bay, WI
[removed]@itol.com
"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes, Art is knowing which ones
to keep." -anonymous
1) Is there any way to get someone who loathes
> SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it or came to
> like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone minimally
> competent in being able to suggest anything to SF readers. No wonder
> they avoid us!
>
> Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.
>
> Mary K.
FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 3/11/01, 1:55 PM
>From: Robin Harwood <[removed]@dupagels.lib.il.us>
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: RE: Science Fiction
>Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2001 10:18:36 -0600
>
>
>Sometimes people are intimidated by SF and fantasy titles because they are
>soooo long. Trying out the genre by reading short story collections might
>help.
Martin Greenberg, in collaboration with various co-eds, has turned out
multitudes of themed ones. Your reluctant readers may well be able to find
something listed under his name that would appeal to them.
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
FROM: [removed]@aol.com
REC'D: 3/12/01, 5:55 AM
Or somebody could just raid Dennis's book shelves <g>
Binnie Syril Braunstein
romance novelist/former librarian
FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 3/12/01, 8:38 AM
>From: [removed]@aol.com
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: Re: Science Fiction
>Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2001 06:46:13 EST
>
>I agree that short stories might be a way to get reluctant readers into SF.
>There are scads (zillions, etc) of wonderful anthologies. Greenberg's, as
>suggested, Best SF of the Year...., Nebula/Hugo Award Winners. One of my
>favorite's is Anne McCaffrey's The Ship Who Sang.
>
>
Speaking of McCaffrey, she might be a good author to use to introduce
reluctant readers to the genre. She's very relationship-oriented, and
people who think sf is just about "rocket ships and ray guns" might be
pleasantly surprised to discover her. One of my own personal faves is C. J.
Cherryh, particularly the Morgaine and Chanur novels. The former, which
borders on fantasy, is another very character-driven example, with the
tormented psyche of Morgaine's oathman, Vanye, and his worshipful devotion
to his Lady, who in turn is driven by her duty to close the Gates, yet
always ends up supporting him when he's in trouble. The latter is more into
hardware, but I can never get over how splendidly the author manages to get
into the skins of an alien race. She actually has you looking at a male
human with a "whathell is that?" attitude. No other author I have read is
so skilled at thinking like a nonhuman.
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
FROM: Jean Meadors <[removed]@ccpl.ci.corpus-christi.tx.us>
REC'D: 3/12/01, 1:14 PM
Lisa Price wrote:
> I don't read much SF any more, but I loved it as a teen and still enjoy
> it occasionally. I particulary like anything having to do with time
> travel. One suggestion I might have (although it would only work long
> term) is to offer SF to young teenage girls. If they learn to like it
> before it becomes "something they're not supposed to enjoy," perhaps
> they will continue to enjoy it. My father introduced me via Heinlein,
> and I still have some familiarity with the genre. Does this make me an
> exception, a female librarian who knows something about SF?
>
> Lisa Price
> Mount Laurel (NJ) Library\
> Opinions are my own.
>
> Mary K Chelton wrote:
> >
> > Dear Fellow Listers:
> >
> > Last night in my Readers' Advisory Services for Adults class, we
> > discussed SF and fantasy, and with very few exceptions, everyone
> > loathed SF, couldn't read it, etc. I would be discouraged if I
> > thought this was my fault, but that reaction has been so typical of
> > [primarily] female librarians [although we also had one male in the
> > camp] that I am no longer surprised. We talked about various appeal
> > factors, fan terms and obvious barriers, etc., but I was left
> > wondering two things: 1) Is there any way to get someone who loathes
> > SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it or came to
> > like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone minimally
> > competent in being able to suggest anything to SF readers. No wonder
> > they avoid us!
> >
> > Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.
> >
> > 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
> > **************************************************************************************
> >
> > ......................................................................
> > Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> > Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
FROM: Kathleen Stipek <[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
REC'D: 3/12/01, 1:36 PM
I also want to know who the "they" are who avoid us? I get RA questions
every day from all sorts of patrons in all sorts of genres I either don't
read or haven't in a long time. I have no problem doing RA with these folks
using the available tools and a little shameless brain-picking of any
available colleagues. I invariably learn something from these encounters
and have once or twice even found a book I later read with pleasure.
Now that there are for-pay Internet-based RA services, they have become the
New Big Thing, and those folks who have been doing RA for a long time using
print-based tools and their own memories and experiences keep hearing about
how inadequate their services are and always have been. Sorry, folks, the
carbon-based RA tools (paper and brain) are, when properly used, every bit
as effective as the silicon-based ones. It is the user of the tool and not
the tool that counts.
........................................................................
Kathleen Stipek, Adult Services/Interlibrary Loans, Alachua County
Library District (FMG), 401 E. University AV, Gainesville FL 32601
[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us)
352-334-3938 (v) 352-334-3948 (f)
"Non, merci."--Cyrano de Bergerac
-----Original Message-----
From: Mary K Chelton [[removed]@pop.mail.rcn.net]
Sent: Friday, March 09, 2001 9:17 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Science Fiction
Dear Fellow Listers:
Last night in my Readers' Advisory Services for Adults class, we
discussed SF and fantasy, and with very few exceptions, everyone
loathed SF, couldn't read it, etc. I would be discouraged if I
thought this was my fault, but that reaction has been so typical of
[primarily] female librarians [although we also had one male in the
camp] that I am no longer surprised. We talked about various appeal
factors, fan terms and obvious barriers, etc., but I was left
wondering two things: 1) Is there any way to get someone who loathes
SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it or came to
like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone minimally
competent in being able to suggest anything to SF readers. No wonder
they avoid us!
Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.
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: Lynne Welch <[removed]@oplin.lib.oh.us>
REC'D: 3/12/01, 1:36 PM
>- Mary K Chelton <[removed]@pop.mail.rcn.net> wrote:
>> Last night in my Readers' Advisory Services for Adults
>> class, we discussed SF and fantasy, and with very few exceptions,
>> everyone loathed SF, couldn't read it, etc. <snipped>
Lynne Welch, Reference Librarian
Herrick Memorial Library - Wellington, OH 44090
tel. 440-647-2120 fax 440-647-2103
e-mail [removed]@oplin.lib.oh.us
<http://www.wellington.lib.oh.us>
FROM: "Mark Furukawa" <[removed]@lakeco.lib.in.us>
REC'D: 3/12/01, 4:45 PM
In this, and other forums, there has been discussion about calling our
patrons something more PC, "customers" is one of the options. Take this
to the logical extension and we might consider "selling" our wares
instead of depending on the books jumping into patrons hands. We are
supposed to know our "products" better than our "customers" and should
be able to suggest another "model" (genre) that they might not know. The
patron always has the option to reject our suggestions whether we offer
another genre that overlaps their interests or just hand them another
title by the same author when they ask for "another book just like...".
A successful salesperson sells you more than you knew you wanted but not
more than you wanted -- if he sells you more, or less, than you wanted,
you don't come back. (Maybe we should be paid on commission, tied to the
number of items checked out of our libraries?)
Mark Furukawa, Branch Head
Hobart Township Branches of
Lake County (IN) Public Library
100 Main Street
Hobart, IN 46342 USA
219.942.2243 fax: 219.947.1823
[removed]@lakeco.lib.in.us
http://www.lakeco.lib.in.us/htwppage.htm
===========================
May I deal with honor,
May I act with courage,
May I achieve humility.
from "Straight"
by Dick Francis
===========================
>Subject: RE: Science Fiction
>From: "Kathleen Stipek" <[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
>Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2001 14:19:38 -0500
>This query sets my teeth on edge. Why should anyone try to make
someone who
>dislikes science fiction like it?
FROM: Judy Rockwell <[removed]@burlington.lib.wi.us>
REC'D: 3/13/01, 3:00 PM
-----Original Message-----
From: J Heuer [[removed]@itol.com]
Sent: Sunday, March 11, 2001 10:40 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Re: Science Fiction
I am a female librarian who reads and enjoys science fiction and fantasy. So
of course any of the questions of this genre are immediately pushed my way,
even if they are questions that can be answered but using ref tools. For
instance a patron was in on a weekend looking for the Borderlands series. I
think a half hearted effort was made to find it but then they took her name
and number and the question was waiting for me Monday morning.
We have few males on staff but about a year ago a young man joined the
nonfiction reference desk. Of course he is a avid SF fan so I at least have
someone to assist when I can free him from the NF desk.
I agree with the suggestions of the "Sparrow" for reluctant SF readers . We
did a column in our bi-monthly RA newsletter a year ago on SF for the nonsf
reader. We featured the Sparrow, Doomsday Book by Connie Willis and
Archangel by Sharon Shinn. We also threw in J.D. Robb (that's a long
stretch) Jack Finney. Time travel seems the easiest path into SF. I don't
think there is anyway you can get someone who loathes SF to come to like it.
I sit here trying to think how you could get me to be a western reader. Sure
I'll read one for my job, check out reviews, assist a customer with new
titles, etc. but learn to love it...no way! I've got a pile of SF/Fantasy
next to my bed waiting for me.
My mother read a lot of SF so I guess I was just introduced to it at a young
age. As I have done with my son who is an avid reader at 14.
--
Jeanne Heuer
Brown County Library
Green Bay, WI
[removed]@itol.com
"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes, Art is knowing which ones
to keep." -anonymous
1) Is there any way to get someone who loathes
> SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it or came to
> like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone minimally
> competent in being able to suggest anything to SF readers. No wonder
> they avoid us!
>
> Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.
>
> Mary K.
.....................................................................
Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
FROM: [removed]@aol.com
REC'D: 3/13/01, 3:32 PM
Binnie Syril Braunstein
romance novelist/former librarian
FROM: Sherri Lazenby <[removed]@dallaslibrary.org>
REC'D: 3/14/01, 2:53 PM
Sherri L. Lazenby
[removed]@dallaslibrary.org <[removed]@dallaslibrary.org>
Branch Manager
Audelia Road Branch Library
Dallas Public Library System
10045 Audelia Road
Dallas, TX 75238
(214) 670-1350
(214) 670-0790 FAX
"TV is great, won't complain about it, but it's great to turn off the TV and
have a book as a companion when you're alone on the road."
Phil Jackson, Coach LA Lakers
FROM: Jean Meadors <[removed]@ccpl.ci.corpus-christi.tx.us>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 10:14 AM
[removed]@aol.com wrote:
> And since no one's mentioned her lately, let's include Robin McKinley as a
> wonderful (IMHO) fantasy author: Beauty, Door in the Hedge, etc. She's also
> a dab hand at assembling & editing anthologies.
>
> Binnie Syril Braunstein
> romance novelist/former librarian
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
FROM: [removed]@aol.com
REC'D: 3/15/01, 11:07 AM
<<
Didn't you just love Spindle's End? For some reason it was put in our adult
collection here, even though it is a ya book, but wonder of wonders it circs
in
the adult collection.
Jean >>
Actually, it's in my TBR pile - the treat at the end of the rainbow.
Binnie Syril Braunstein
romance novelist/former librarian
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