Fiction_L Archives Readers' Advisory interview questions Dates: 5/4/02,11:37 AM  through  5/11/02,11:40 AM  (25 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 May 2002 thread menu   |   Fiction_L Archives Menu

FROM: "Trish Klein" <[removed]@rdpl.org>
REC'D: 5/4/02, 11:37 AM

We are hiring a new person for our Readers' Services department for the first time in five years. Does anyone have any really good and/or insightful interview questions that help you hire a good Readers' Advisor? We also do outreach and have the audio-visual area in the department. None of the people that we will be interviewing have much or any experience in libraries. You can email me offlist at [removed]@rdpl.org . Thanks so much. Trish Klein

Trish Klein
[removed]@rdpl.org
Readers' Services Coordinator
Red Deer Public Library
4818-49 St. Red Deer, AB T4N 1T9
403-342-9110 Fax: 403-341-3110

FROM: "Renee Zurn" <[removed]@duluth.lib.mn.us>
REC'D: 5/4/02, 1:55 PM

Trish, during my interview I was asked two RA questions - "If a patron tells you they like Tom Clancy who would you recommend they read next?" and the follow-up question - "What if they read Danielle Steel?"

I was told by the Interview Team that these questions and the answers they received helped them narrow down the field and determine who would be most comfortable with these types of questions.

Renee Zurn
Duluth Public Library
520 W. Superior St.
Duluth MN 55802

FROM: Susanne Clower <[removed]@chipublib.org>
REC'D: 5/4/02, 2:48 PM

I think if I were interviewing somone for an RA position I would try to
ask a question that would engage them in a discussion of their personal
reading habits and favorite authors. This would at least let you know if
the person is an avid reader or not. I am always astounded at how many
library staff I talk to who simply do not read books, at least not
fiction. I think RA skills can be acquired, but a love of reading and a
love of books is something innate to RA that cannot be taught in a staff
development class. My only hesitation is this: is asking someone about
their personal reading habits in an interview too personal, or somehow
intrusive? Also, I think the question would somehow have to imply that
you were not judging the person's reading tastes, but simply trying to
find out if they are an avid reader. Maybe something like; What 5 books
have you enjoyed recently, and why?

--
Susanne Clower
Chicago Public Library
Branch Manager
Vodak East Side Branch
10542 S. Ewing
Chicago, IL 60617
312-747-5500

FROM: David Wright <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 5/4/02, 5:05 PM

Since so much hangs upon a candidate's
interpersonal and interview skills, if you don't
mind giving them a toughy, I would suggest
positing: 'I'm looking for a good book. Help
me.' And see what they do.
What you want them to do is to engage you in a
conversation and elicit more information from you
about the kind of books you most enjoy. If they
jump right in and start recommending titles, I
think you've got more of a spokesperson than an
advisory, to begin with any way. Either way, it
will help you judge their social ability and
listening skills, which are a huge part of this
job.
David Wright
Seattle Public Library

--- Trish Klein <[removed]@rdpl.org> wrote:
> We are hiring a new person for our Readers'
> Services department for the first time in five
> years. Does anyone have any really good and/or
> insightful interview questions that help you
> hire a good Readers' Advisor? We also do
> outreach and have the audio-visual area in the
> department. None of the people that we will be
> interviewing have much or any experience in
> libraries. You can email me offlist at
> [removed]@rdpl.org . Thanks so much. Trish Klein
>
>
>
> Trish Klein
> [removed]@rdpl.org
> Readers' Services Coordinator
> Red Deer Public Library
> 4818-49 St. Red Deer, AB T4N 1T9
> 403-342-9110 Fax: 403-341-3110
>
>
>
>
>
......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the
> archives?
> Everything Fiction_L:
http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

=====
David Wright Seattle Public Library

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Health - your guide to health and wellness
http://health.yahoo.com

FROM: [removed]@juno.com
REC'D: 5/4/02, 5:37 PM

I've started asking how many books they read a month. I was surprised,
when I interviewed last, to have candidates who called themselves
"voracious readers" say they read perhaps 2 books a month. Am I mistaken
in believing they need to read more to keep up??

Joyce Saricks

"Anyone who tries to make a distinction between education and
entertainment doesn't know the first thing about either."
Marshall McLuhan

FROM: "Lisa Colcord" <[removed]@ci.glendale.az.us>
REC'D: 5/4/02, 5:37 PM

Joyce and all,

I consider myself a voracious reader, but unfortunately, not a fast one. If I get 2 to 4 books read each month I am doing well, what with working 45 hours per week, plus playing with my dogs. I agree, I am getting further and further behind in my reading, but I love to do it, and I would hate to see someone ruled out for that reason.

Lisa

>>> [removed]@juno.com 05/04/02 15:28 PM >>>
I've started asking how many books they read a month. I was surprised,
when I interviewed last, to have candidates who called themselves
"voracious readers" say they read perhaps 2 books a month. Am I mistaken
in believing they need to read more to keep up??

Joyce Saricks

"Anyone who tries to make a distinction between education and
entertainment doesn't know the first thing about either."
Marshall McLuhan

FROM: Vicki Novak - LIBRARYX <[removed]@MAIL.MARICOPA.GOV>
REC'D: 5/4/02, 5:59 PM

I think I've read about surveys that say that the average person reads 2 or
3 books a year. So, we are probably all voracious readers compared to the
average! Before I had a baby, I read 4-5 books per month, but with my
little one around, I average 2 books a month. That's not counting the
magazines, newspaper articles and online newsletters / mailing lists that I
read. I consider myself a voracious reader at heart :-)

Students fresh out of library school would also have the same problem. They
have had to read so many things for school that their personal reading has
been neglected. I think that when we can't read as much as we want to,
there are other ways to keep up with what's new - reading reviews, talking
to people about books, paying attention to books mentioned in the media,
etc.

Vicki Novak
Adult Services Librarian
[removed]@mail.maricopa.gov

North Central Regional Library
Maricopa County Library District
17811 N. 32nd St.
Phoenix, AZ 85032
http://mcld.maricopa.gov

-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@juno.com [[removed]@juno.com]
Sent: Saturday, May 04, 2002 3:26 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Re: Readers' Advisory interview questions

I've started asking how many books they read a month. I was surprised,
when I interviewed last, to have candidates who called themselves
"voracious readers" say they read perhaps 2 books a month. Am I mistaken
in believing they need to read more to keep up??

Joyce Saricks

"Anyone who tries to make a distinction between education and
entertainment doesn't know the first thing about either."
Marshall McLuhan

FROM: David Wright <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 5/4/02, 7:45 PM

I've got to agree on the observation about
students right out of library school not having
had much time for personal reading. One common
observation made by students in the single
Readers Advisory class at my school was 'Finally,
an excuse to read some fiction!'
Also, while reading much and widely is
important to this work, it don't mean a thing
without the interpersonal side. There are
librarians whose voracious reading habits are
pretty moot, as they don't interract with patrons
well, or at all. I'd take a friendly, public-
service-oriented neophyte over a great reader who
is grouchy, diffident or disrespectful.
David Wright
Seattle Public Library

--- Vicki Novak - LIBRARYX
<[removed]@MAIL.MARICOPA.GOV> wrote:
> I think I've read about surveys that say that
> the average person reads 2 or
> 3 books a year. So, we are probably all
> voracious readers compared to the
> average! Before I had a baby, I read 4-5 books
> per month, but with my
> little one around, I average 2 books a month.
> That's not counting the
> magazines, newspaper articles and online
> newsletters / mailing lists that I
> read. I consider myself a voracious reader at
> heart :-)
>
> Students fresh out of library school would also
> have the same problem. They
> have had to read so many things for school that
> their personal reading has
> been neglected. I think that when we can't
> read as much as we want to,
> there are other ways to keep up with what's new
> - reading reviews, talking
> to people about books, paying attention to
> books mentioned in the media,
> etc.
>
> Vicki Novak
> Adult Services Librarian
> [removed]@mail.maricopa.gov
>
> North Central Regional Library
> Maricopa County Library District
> 17811 N. 32nd St.
> Phoenix, AZ 85032
> http://mcld.maricopa.gov
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [removed]@juno.com
> [[removed]@juno.com]
> Sent: Saturday, May 04, 2002 3:26 PM
> To: Fiction_L
> Subject: Re: Readers' Advisory interview
> questions
>
>
> I've started asking how many books they read a
> month. I was surprised,
> when I interviewed last, to have candidates who
> called themselves
> "voracious readers" say they read perhaps 2
> books a month. Am I mistaken
> in believing they need to read more to keep
> up??
>
>
> Joyce Saricks
>
> "Anyone who tries to make a distinction between
> education and
> entertainment doesn't know the first thing
> about either."
> Marshall McLuhan
>
>
>
......................................................................
> 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

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Health - your guide to health and wellness
http://health.yahoo.com

FROM: al po <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 5/5/02, 6:20 AM

One question I would consider asking because I have
asked myself this question is: "How would you handle a
customer who wants your opinion on an author you do
not personally admire?" I had a customer asked me
what I thought about Nora Roberts and I chose not to
offer an opinion. In hindsight, I think this was a
disservice.

Alex
--- Trish Klein <[removed]@rdpl.org> wrote:
> We are hiring a new person for our Readers' Services
> department for the first time in five years. Does
> anyone have any really good and/or insightful
> interview questions that help you hire a good
> Readers' Advisor? We also do outreach and have the
> audio-visual area in the department. None of the
> people that we will be interviewing have much or any
> experience in libraries. You can email me offlist
> at [removed]@rdpl.org . Thanks so much. Trish Klein
>
>
>
> Trish Klein
> [removed]@rdpl.org
> Readers' Services Coordinator
> Red Deer Public Library
> 4818-49 St. Red Deer, AB T4N 1T9
> 403-342-9110 Fax: 403-341-3110
>
>
>
>
>
......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L:
http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Health - your guide to health and wellness
http://health.yahoo.com

FROM: "Deborah T. Walsh" <[removed]@geneva.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 5/5/02, 9:05 AM

I agree with Joyce regarding "voracious" readers and reading.

I don't think we can keep up with the publishing pace and variety of
books we need to be exposed to as we serve our public effectively if
we don't read widely.

I always assumed my reading level was "normal" until I headed my own
RA department (before that, I worked in Joyce's department where no
one is normal <vbg> !!

On average I read 20 books or so a month, and probably skim an
additional twenty. This has never seemed particularly extraordinary
to me, but when we do our adult summer reading program, and actually
count books read (in increments of 100 pages) I'm amazed to discover
that I actually do read more than most people. On the other hand, the
other nine members of my readers advisory team ALWAYS come in right
behind me, in a pretty neat descending order, and well ahead of the
numbers of the rest of the staff from other departments, including
reference, from which I drew my initial RA staff. It confirms that I
chose the right people when I was putting this team together.

I did analyze who read, and how much, and in which areas they were
"natural" readers when hiring them. All of my RA staff members are
involved in at least one genre study, and most also have
responsibility for a book discussion. They have to read books they
wouldn't read on their own, and, at the same time, because they love
to read, they are compelled to keep up with their own personal
reading interests. When we are doing goal setting at evaluation
time, most of them set one of their personal goals for the year to
read a book a month in a genre they wouldn't tackle without a
conscious effort. They wouldn't be readers' advisors in my
department if they didn't see the value of doing this sort of thing.

I am very fortunate that I read very fast - it's not something I do
on purpose, I truly think it's a genetic propensity - other members
of my family possess this same ability. Frankly, I'd rather be
genetically inclined to thinness, but apparently, we don't get to
pick!

Having said this, obviously if an individual wants to be a readers'
advisor (or has it thrust upon him) and isn't blessed with the
ability to read quickly, s/he may use other adapting methods to make
up for that. But when I'm hiring an RA, my first question is what
are you reading right now, and tell me about it. If the answer is
"nothing" the interview drops down to about line twenty in the
script, and no one's time is wasted. What I'm looking for is an
impromptu booktalk, since that's what I will expect he or she will be
able to do confortably on a regular basis. Personality certainly
counts a great deal here - aggressive handselling is vital to
readers' advisory service. But in my opinion, the tools needed to be
able to talk confidently come from a toolbox filled with books and
authors read, and there is no shortcut to getting them there.

Deborah T. Walsh
Geneva Public Library District
127 James Street
Geneva, IL 60134
[removed]@geneva.lib.il.us

FROM: Mary K Chelton <[removed]@optonline.net>
REC'D: 5/5/02, 3:26 PM

I am confused about this, in part because I am a big Nora Roberts fan‹of her
category romances, not her mainstream fiction,‹but also because I can't
figure out how you feel about offering your own opinion and what it would
be. Personally, I see no problem with offering an opinion if you make it
clear that it's yours alone, and not some alternate form of literary
criticism the user should agree with, but it's probably safer to couch that
opinion in terms relating to what the user has indicated makes a "good read"
for him or herself.

Mary K.
****************************************************************************
Mary K. Chelton, Ph. D.
Associate Professor, Graduate School of
Library and Information Studies, 254 Rosenthal Library,
Queens College, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY 11367;
Phones: (718) 997-3667 (direct/voice/voicemail),
3790 (general office), 3797 (fax).

Home: 35 Mercury Ave., East Patchogue, NY 11772.
Phone: (631)286-4255, no home fax.
E-mail: [removed]@optonline.net
****************************************************************************

on 5/5/02 12:00 PM, Fiction_L at [removed]@maillist.webrary.org wrote:

> Subject: Re: Readers' Advisory interview questions
> From: "al po" <[removed]@yahoo.com>
> Date: Sun, 5 May 2002 04:17:45 -0700 (PDT)
>
> One question I would consider asking because I have
> asked myself this question is: "How would you handle a
> customer who wants your opinion on an author you do
> not personally admire?" I had a customer asked me
> what I thought about Nora Roberts and I chose not to
> offer an opinion. In hindsight, I think this was a
> disservice.

FROM: "Lorie J. O'Donnell" <[removed]@midyork.lib.ny.us>
REC'D: 5/5/02, 3:47 PM

I always offer my opinion of authors and books (if I have one, that is; and
I almost always do) If my opinion is not positive one, I use terms that
let the patron know how I feel, without slamming the book/author too badly.
For instance, I'll say: "not really my style of writing, not a genre that I
enjoy, not one of my favorites" etc... If a patron is looking for an
opinion and I have one, I feel it is part of my job to be honest. That's
what they want to know.

Lorie

(on 5/5/02 7:15 PM, Mary K Chelton at [removed]@optonline.net wrote:

> I am confused about this, in part because I am a big Nora Roberts fan‹of her
> category romances, not her mainstream fiction,‹but also because I can't
> figure out how you feel about offering your own opinion and what it would
> be. Personally, I see no problem with offering an opinion if you make it
> clear that it's yours alone, and not some alternate form of literary
> criticism the user should agree with, but it's probably safer to couch that
> opinion in terms relating to what the user has indicated makes a "good read"
> for him or herself.
>
> Mary K.
> ****************************************************************************
> Mary K. Chelton, Ph. D.
> Associate Professor, Graduate School of
> Library and Information Studies, 254 Rosenthal Library,
> Queens College, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY 11367;
> Phones: (718) 997-3667 (direct/voice/voicemail),
> 3790 (general office), 3797 (fax).
>
> Home: 35 Mercury Ave., East Patchogue, NY 11772.
> Phone: (631)286-4255, no home fax.
> E-mail: [removed]@optonline.net
> ****************************************************************************
>
>
>
> on 5/5/02 12:00 PM, Fiction_L at [removed]@maillist.webrary.org wrote:
>
>> Subject: Re: Readers' Advisory interview questions
>> From: "al po" <[removed]@yahoo.com>
>> Date: Sun, 5 May 2002 04:17:45 -0700 (PDT)
>>
>> One question I would consider asking because I have
>> asked myself this question is: "How would you handle a
>> customer who wants your opinion on an author you do
>> not personally admire?" I had a customer asked me
>> what I thought about Nora Roberts and I chose not to
>> offer an opinion. In hindsight, I think this was a
>> disservice.
>
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

Nothing spoils fun like finding out it builds character
- Calvin (from Calvin and Hobbes)--

FROM: [removed]@carmel.lib.in.us (Mary Boyden)
REC'D: 5/5/02, 4:39 PM

Re: Offering an opinion

I always say something positive about the author - for example, "Nora Roberts is a very prolific author who is very well respected and popular with many readers."

I've only read one Nora Roberts book and probably won't read another one, but that isn't something I would share with the patron. There are just too many other books on my "to read" list. (My escape fiction is Janet Evanovich.)

I think that saying nothing could come off as being judgemental of other people's reading tastes.

FROM: Robin Bradford <[removed]@imcpl.lib.in.us>
REC'D: 5/5/02, 5:00 PM

I often offer opinions about books (and authors) because people often ask me
my opinion. I'm quick to tell them my prejudices in certain areas, but I
think people want to know what librarians think. They undestand that its
just your opinion, but they would rather have that than the bookstore
opinion which is praising everything just to get a sale.

Also, in some areas, there are qualifications. I like some of Nora
Roberts' books, and some I can't stand. I love Robin Hobb's Farseer
trilogy, but I am incredibly luke warm about her Liveship Traders series.
Everyone in the world enjoys Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, but I've
never been able to get past the third chapter of book one. I much prefer
George R.R. Martin's "Song of Fire and Ice" trilogy. I think as long as
you're telling them what the appeal is, either to yourself or to other
readers, its perfectly okay to give your opinion. That leads to more of a
discussion about books rather than just a "What's good" kind of
conversation.

I also ask people to come back and tell me when I suggest a book and they
just can't get into it. Knowing what they don't like is almost as helpful
in determing what they might want to try next.

robin

-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@carmel.lib.in.us [[removed]@carmel.lib.in.us]
Sent: Sunday, May 05, 2002 11:30 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Re: Re: offering an opinion

Re: Offering an opinion

I always say something positive about the author - for example, "Nora
Roberts is a very prolific author who is very well respected and popular
with many readers."

I've only read one Nora Roberts book and probably won't read another one,
but that isn't something I would share with the patron. There are just too
many other books on my "to read" list. (My escape fiction is Janet
Evanovich.)

I think that saying nothing could come off as being judgemental of other
people's reading tastes.

FROM: Spencer Ms Martha <[removed]@usmc-mccs.org>
REC'D: 5/6/02, 7:40 AM

And don't forget audiobooks as another way to keep up.

Martha

-----Original Message-----
From: Vicki Novak - LIBRARYX [[removed]@MAIL.MARICOPA.GOV]
Sent: Saturday, May 04, 2002 3:53 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: RE: Readers' Advisory interview questions

I think I've read about surveys that say that the average person reads 2 or
3 books a year. So, we are probably all voracious readers compared to the
average! Before I had a baby, I read 4-5 books per month, but with my
little one around, I average 2 books a month. That's not counting the
magazines, newspaper articles and online newsletters / mailing lists that I
read. I consider myself a voracious reader at heart :-)

Students fresh out of library school would also have the same problem. They
have had to read so many things for school that their personal reading has
been neglected. I think that when we can't read as much as we want to,
there are other ways to keep up with what's new - reading reviews, talking
to people about books, paying attention to books mentioned in the media,
etc.

Vicki Novak
Adult Services Librarian
[removed]@mail.maricopa.gov

North Central Regional Library
Maricopa County Library District
17811 N. 32nd St.
Phoenix, AZ 85032
http://mcld.maricopa.gov

-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@juno.com [[removed]@juno.com]
Sent: Saturday, May 04, 2002 3:26 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Re: Readers' Advisory interview questions

I've started asking how many books they read a month. I was surprised,
when I interviewed last, to have candidates who called themselves
"voracious readers" say they read perhaps 2 books a month. Am I mistaken
in believing they need to read more to keep up??

Joyce Saricks

"Anyone who tries to make a distinction between education and
entertainment doesn't know the first thing about either."
Marshall McLuhan

FROM: "Nora M. Armstrong" <[removed]@clsn1269.cumberland.lib.nc.us>
REC'D: 5/6/02, 8:13 AM

On Sat, 4 May 2002, Susanne Clower wrote:

> I think if I were interviewing somone for an RA position I would try to
> ask a question that would engage them in a discussion of their personal
> reading habits and favorite authors. This would at least let you know if
> the person is an avid reader or not. I am always astounded at how many
> library staff I talk to who simply do not read books, at least not
> fiction. I think RA skills can be acquired, but a love of reading and a
> love of books is something innate to RA that cannot be taught in a staff
> development class. My only hesitation is this: is asking someone about
> their personal reading habits in an interview too personal, or somehow
> intrusive? Also, I think the question would somehow have to imply that
> you were not judging the person's reading tastes, but simply trying to
> find out if they are an avid reader. Maybe something like; What 5 books
> have you enjoyed recently, and why?

I've had the following question posed in an interview (not for an RA
position, but I still think it's a good question): "What's the title of
the last book you read? Can you tell me/us something about it?" (shades of
Ms. Saricks!) This gives the interviewee a chance to demonstrate her/his
booktalking skills, and it gives the interviewer(s) the opportunity to see
how comfortable the candidate is in discussing books and reading.

Nora Armstrong
CCPL&IC
Fayetteville NC

FROM: "Nora M. Armstrong" <[removed]@clsn1269.cumberland.lib.nc.us>
REC'D: 5/6/02, 8:35 AM

My standard response to queries about authors whose work I don't like is,
"Well, you know, I don't read [author], but s/he's really popular, and
lots of folks who do will also check out [readalike suggestions]..." I'm
also very careful with the tone of my voice and my expression - no
looking down the nose allowed.

I just want patrons to know it's okay for them to read whatever they like,
and I'm happy to help them even if our tastes don't match.

Nora Armstrong
CCPL&IC
Fayetteville NC

FROM: Mary K Chelton <[removed]@optonline.net>
REC'D: 5/6/02, 8:55 AM

When I was interviewed for the coordinator job in Montgomery County, MD, I
was presented with a list of 25 popular authors and had to tell briefly what
I knew about each one; then take 3 and tell what I knew in depth. There was
more but I don't remember all of it anymore.

Mary K.
****************************************************************************
Mary K. Chelton, Ph. D.
Associate Professor, Graduate School of
Library and Information Studies, 254 Rosenthal Library,
Queens College, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY 11367;
Phones: (718) 997-3667 (direct/voice/voicemail),
3790 (general office), 3797 (fax).

Home: 35 Mercury Ave., East Patchogue, NY 11772.
Phone: (631)286-4255, no home fax.
E-mail: [removed]@optonline.net
****************************************************************************

FROM: Dennis Lien <[removed]@tc.umn.edu>
REC'D: 5/6/02, 10:22 AM

At 03:53 PM 5/4/02 -0700, Vicki Novak wrote:
>I think I've read about surveys that say that the average person reads 2 or
>3 books a year. So, we are probably all voracious readers compared to the
>average!

Most recent poll I can find in a quick search is the Gallup Poll of
July 21, 1999; most recent Gallup on same subject before that was
from December 1990.

Poll asked "During the past year, about how many books, either hardcover
or paperback, did you read either all or part of the way through?"

In 1999, replies by percentage were

12 percent none
24 one to five
18 six to ten
34 eleven to fifty
10 fifty one or more
2 no opinion

In 1990, the same choices produced breakdowns of 16,32,15,27,7, and 3.

Other bits from the poll: 42% in 1999 and 39% in 1990 claimed to
have a favorite author. Said author was Stephen King to 14% of the
populace in 1999 and 18% in 1990. Danielle Steele was runnerup in
both polls (8 %; earlier 9 %). Tom Clancy and John Grisham each
scored at 6% in 1999; Louis L'Amour and Sidney Shelton both scored
at 4% in 1990, and L'Amour was still at 2% in 1999. No one else
scored above 3% in 1990, or above 1% (Sheldon, Mary Higgins Clark,
and Dean Koontz) in 1999. 59% of those in 1999 and 44% of those
in 1990 who claimed to have a favorite author listed someone other
than King, Steele, L'Amour, Sheldon, Michener, VC Andrews, Dickens,
Twain, Hemingway, Steinbeck, Shakespeare, Clancy, Grisham, Clark,
or Koontz.

Respondents were also asked to identify (in 1999) who wrote each of
five titles. 72% knew CAT IN THE HAT was by Dr. Seuss, but only
29% identified author of OLD MAN AND THE SEA; 26% THE FIRM;
18% A TALE OF TWO CITIES; and 15% THE GREAT GATSBY.

Dennis Lien / U of Minnesota Libraries // [removed]@tc.umn.edu

FROM: "ROBIN BEERBOWER" <[removed]@mail.open.org>
REC'D: 5/6/02, 10:44 AM

I don't think being a voracious reader is as important as knowing what titles are out there and what they are about. I always tell anyone wanting to do more with readers' advisory to try and at least do the following: peruse a good part of the new fiction that arrives; look at the new books at the bookstores; skim book reviews in People, Entertainment Weekly, LJ, Glamour, and if possible Booklist and LJ; ask friends and colleagues what they have been reading. In my opinion, if someone told me they only read 3-4 books a month yet did all of the above, that would hold more weight than if she read 20-25 mysteries and romances a month.

Personally, I read 6-8 books a month but colleagues and patrons think I read many more than that. I always have 20-30 books checked out at a time and 15-20 holds. I haul them home (and I wonder why I have shoulder problems) or on break and just read the blurb and a chapter, and, if I don't think I'm going to ever read the book, look at the ending (I know, I know, I receive horrified looks when I mention this). I also recommend that staff follow the suggestions in the article "How To Read A Book if Five Minues". I recently had the pleasure of talking to Nancy Pearl before she did a presentation for our outreach pre-conference and I told her I had heard a rumor that she read 2-3 books a day. She looked at me with surprise and said that was in no way true and that she completely read one book for about 15 books she started (think those were the numbers).

Just my own humble opinion.

Robin Beerbower
Salem (OR) Public Library

>>> [removed]@ci.glendale.az.us 05/04 3:34 PM >>>
Joyce and all,

I consider myself a voracious reader, but unfortunately, not a fast one. If I get 2 to 4 books read each month I am doing well, what with working 45 hours per week, plus playing with my dogs. I agree, I am getting further and further behind in my reading, but I love to do it, and I would hate to see someone ruled out for that reason.

Lisa

>>> [removed]@juno.com 05/04/02 15:28 PM >>>
I've started asking how many books they read a month. I was surprised,
when I interviewed last, to have candidates who called themselves
"voracious readers" say they read perhaps 2 books a month. Am I mistaken
in believing they need to read more to keep up??

Joyce Saricks

"Anyone who tries to make a distinction between education and
entertainment doesn't know the first thing about either."
Marshall McLuhan

FROM: "Laura McCaffery" <[removed]@acpl.lib.in.us>
REC'D: 5/6/02, 12:41 PM

I would be interested in the review material they read consistently and if they read journals about all genres and sub genres, multicultural, as well as alternative lifestyle materials. You do not need to read EVERY book if you read and remember the reviews. And it is amazing what one can learn from good websites.

Laura Hibbets McCaffery
Readers Services
Allen County Public Library
900 Webster Street
Fort Wayne IN 46802
260-421-1200x2303
This is my opinion and mine alone. The
views, opinions, and judgements
expressed in this message are solely
those of the author. The message
contents have not been reviewed or
approved by the Allen County Public
Library.

>>> [removed]@MAIL.MARICOPA.GOV 05/04/02 05:53PM >>>
I think I've read about surveys that say that the average person reads 2 or
3 books a year. So, we are probably all voracious readers compared to the
average! Before I had a baby, I read 4-5 books per month, but with my
little one around, I average 2 books a month. That's not counting the
magazines, newspaper articles and online newsletters / mailing lists that I
read. I consider myself a voracious reader at heart :-)

Students fresh out of library school would also have the same problem. They
have had to read so many things for school that their personal reading has
been neglected. I think that when we can't read as much as we want to,
there are other ways to keep up with what's new - reading reviews, talking
to people about books, paying attention to books mentioned in the media,
etc.

Vicki Novak
Adult Services Librarian
[removed]@mail.maricopa.gov

North Central Regional Library
Maricopa County Library District
17811 N. 32nd St.
Phoenix, AZ 85032
http://mcld.maricopa.gov

-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@juno.com [[removed]@juno.com]
Sent: Saturday, May 04, 2002 3:26 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Re: Readers' Advisory interview questions

I've started asking how many books they read a month. I was surprised,
when I interviewed last, to have candidates who called themselves
"voracious readers" say they read perhaps 2 books a month. Am I mistaken
in believing they need to read more to keep up??

Joyce Saricks

"Anyone who tries to make a distinction between education and
entertainment doesn't know the first thing about either."
Marshall McLuhan

FROM: Patience Beer <[removed]@metronet.lib.mi.us>
REC'D: 5/7/02, 1:26 PM

I'm only part way through this thread, so please forgive me if I'm repeating
what someone else has said. One of the most important things I've learned as a
RA librarian is to avoid allowing my prejudices to show. I'm sure many readers
would put down my reading tastes. If I don't read the author in question I
would try to identify the appeal elements of this author. Something like, " I
haven't read this author myself, but if you like suspense where a bright,
hardworking young woman has to come to the rescue and which also includes some
humor and romance, in a fast paced plot, you might like this author."

Mary K Chelton wrote:

> I am confused about this, in part because I am a big Nora Roberts fan‹of her
> category romances, not her mainstream fiction,‹but also because I can't
> figure out how you feel about offering your own opinion and what it would
> be. Personally, I see no problem with offering an opinion if you make it
> clear that it's yours alone, and not some alternate form of literary
> criticism the user should agree with, but it's probably safer to couch that
> opinion in terms relating to what the user has indicated makes a "good read"
> for him or herself.
>
> Mary K.
> ****************************************************************************
> Mary K. Chelton, Ph. D.
> Associate Professor, Graduate School of
> Library and Information Studies, 254 Rosenthal Library,
> Queens College, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY 11367;
> Phones: (718) 997-3667 (direct/voice/voicemail),
> 3790 (general office), 3797 (fax).
>
> Home: 35 Mercury Ave., East Patchogue, NY 11772.
> Phone: (631)286-4255, no home fax.
> E-mail: [removed]@optonline.net
> ****************************************************************************
>
> on 5/5/02 12:00 PM, Fiction_L at [removed]@maillist.webrary.org wrote:
>
> > Subject: Re: Readers' Advisory interview questions
> > From: "al po" <[removed]@yahoo.com>
> > Date: Sun, 5 May 2002 04:17:45 -0700 (PDT)
> >
> > One question I would consider asking because I have
> > asked myself this question is: "How would you handle a
> > customer who wants your opinion on an author you do
> > not personally admire?" I had a customer asked me
> > what I thought about Nora Roberts and I chose not to
> > offer an opinion. In hindsight, I think this was a
> > disservice.
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

FROM: "Roberta Johnson" <[removed]@dppl.org>
REC'D: 5/8/02, 10:23 AM

Hey Susanne, didn't we answer all your questions on Friday night?
Sorry, a personal aside to share with the rest of the group. :-)

Seriously, we had firmly in our minds *before* we interviewed for RA
positions that the best candidate would be someone who loved fiction and
read a lot of it. That was a stated goal in the ad and uppermost in our
interview process was discovering what people liked to read. We hoped
they would be fans of all pop culture -- music, movies, magazines -- but
the most important skill was being a constant reader, and of course,
being able to talk about books.

We too found people who said they read "constantly" but couldn't name
authors. The candidates we loved (and hired) reeled off a string of
names. When gently encouraged, they booktalked as they would to friends
and family. Since we were not interviewing librarians (no MLS
requirement), we didn't ask about reviews and interviews, but did ask
about their likes and dislikes as a patron in bookstores and libraries.
We also give a little quiz to see if they recognize big names in various
genres and can recommend alternatives.

I have been grousing to my friends that I'm losing the ability to read
for pleasure, certainly not in the way I did 20 years ago. I read so
critically, widely, and with an eye to sharing authors with patrons,
that I think my percentage of work vs. fun reading has gotten out of
whack. I suggest to my staff that one book in five be selected to
improve their RA skills, but I think it's more like three or four out of
five for me. Plus I read for Booklist, which adds a few more titles a
month that are "assigned". I usually enjoy almost everything I read,
but the guilty pleasure of reading whatever I want is missing. I used
to find an author I liked and read their series from beginning to end.
Now I pick one with an interesting cover and never read that author
again. I have found only one or two authors in the last two year that
I've read more of -- that's a shame. Several people have remarked to me
that they've lost interest in reading altogtether and are very afraid
it's permanent!

So my promise to myself (starting now) is to step back from this effort
a little bit: try to read more for fun, re-read old favorites to
recapture that feeling, go back and read Ian Rankin from the beginning,
and hope that my co-workers will continue to recommend books that are
exactly the right thing at the right time. Really, they're all so good
at it!

Roberta

Roberta S. Johnson, Readers' Services Librarian
Des Plaines Public Library
1501 Ellinwood, Des Plaines, IL 60016
847-376-2816
[removed]@dppl.org www.dppl.org
Opinions my own.

-----Original Message-----
From: Nora M. Armstrong [[removed]@clsn1269.cumberland.lib.nc.us]
Sent: Monday, May 06, 2002 7:56 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Re:Reader's Advisory interview questions

On Sat, 4 May 2002, Susanne Clower wrote:

> I think if I were interviewing somone for an RA position I would try
to
> ask a question that would engage them in a discussion of their
personal
> reading habits and favorite authors. This would at least let you know
if
> the person is an avid reader or not. I am always astounded at how many
> library staff I talk to who simply do not read books, at least not
> fiction. I think RA skills can be acquired, but a love of reading and
a
> love of books is something innate to RA that cannot be taught in a
staff
> development class. My only hesitation is this: is asking someone about
> their personal reading habits in an interview too personal, or somehow
> intrusive? Also, I think the question would somehow have to imply that
> you were not judging the person's reading tastes, but simply trying to
> find out if they are an avid reader. Maybe something like; What 5
books
> have you enjoyed recently, and why?

I've had the following question posed in an interview (not for an RA
position, but I still think it's a good question): "What's the title of
the last book you read? Can you tell me/us something about it?" (shades
of
Ms. Saricks!) This gives the interviewee a chance to demonstrate her/his
booktalking skills, and it gives the interviewer(s) the opportunity to
see
how comfortable the candidate is in discussing books and reading.

Nora Armstrong
CCPL&IC
Fayetteville NC

FROM: Alicia Graybill <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 5/8/02, 11:59 AM

Hello:
I try never to offer an unsolicited opinion. "Try", of
course, is the operative word. I usually follow the
old rule of etiquette that says "if you can't say
something nice, don't say anything at all." If, point
blank, a patron asks me about a book that I haven't
read, I will tell them just that but try to follow it
up with information about a review of the book (either
from professional sources or from one of my voracious
reading friends.) If they ask me about a book I hate,
I generally try to find something positive to say
about the book then move on to another topic of
conversation.
Alicia

=====
Alicia Graybill
Director
Fairbury Public Library
[removed]@yahoo.com

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Health - your guide to health and wellness
http://health.yahoo.com

FROM: Kaite Mediatore <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 5/11/02, 11:40 AM

I have found, on occasion, that the books I heartily
disliked are the ones for which I can articulate appeal
factors the best. When I don't care for a book, I can look
at the elements I disliked and understand what someone else
would like about this book.

And I always feel I do a better job recommending a book I
didn't like than I do with a book I absolutely loved. Those
books tend to leave me speechless. ;)

kaite

--- Alicia Graybill <[removed]@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hello:
> I try never to offer an unsolicited opinion. "Try", of
> course, is the operative word. I usually follow the
> old rule of etiquette that says "if you can't say
> something nice, don't say anything at all." If, point
> blank, a patron asks me about a book that I haven't
> read, I will tell them just that but try to follow it
> up with information about a review of the book (either
> from professional sources or from one of my voracious
> reading friends.) If they ask me about a book I hate,
> I generally try to find something positive to say
> about the book then move on to another topic of
> conversation.
> Alicia
>
> =====
> Alicia Graybill
> Director
> Fairbury Public Library
> [removed]@yahoo.com
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Health - your guide to health and wellness
> http://health.yahoo.com
>
>
......................................................................
> 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
913.279.2067 fx 913.279.2032
[removed]@kckpl.lib.ks.us

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience
http://launch.yahoo.com

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