Growing up, I loved to read. I grew up in a rural location in Ohio (I had Amish for neighbors) which sometimes made it difficult to get a wide assortment of books. I had a bookmobile that would come visit and bring new books. I can still remember the smell of the bookmobile and the great memories that all of the new books brought. My mom always made sure that I had plenty of other opportunities to get my hands on books. She ordered books for me (Scholastic, I think) and she also took me to the neighboring county public library for additional books. (Could you tell I could never get enough books?) But it was a different time when sports and other activities were not as readily available as they are today. My friends and I actually read a lot of books. I remember that we would read a lot in school and we would have silent reading each day for about twenty minutes. The teacher would even pull out a book and read as well.
Probably the biggest change in reading for me personally is the advances in technology. We can read books on digital devices from anywhere and we do not even have to set foot in a library or bookstore to obtain books. I used books on audio cassette growing up and now we have audiobooks and digital streaming for our listening pleasure. The Internet (which wasn't around when I was a child) gives us the option of finding book reviews and titles that we might not have seen at our local library. Even bigger is that we now have much more opportunities for social interaction because of technology. I have found Goodreads to be a wonderful resource to get information about books and share opinions with others.
I would hope that in twenty years we would be reading more. People have so many different ways that they can interact with books, both with digital, audio and the printed format. Of course, to read a story, you have to engage with it, to think it through the author's mind. I still think that in twenty years, literacy will still be an active part of our society. We live in a society where everybody is busy with other activities, social media, movies and television to actively engage their minds with the act of reading. It does worry me that people will lose sight of the importance of reading. Yes, children will still be taught how to read, but will they discover a passion for reading? We need to instill a love for reading in our future patrons now while continuing to keep our current patrons connected as well.
With ever rapid changes in technology, I think reading might become more interactive when using digital devices.That being said, I don't think that traditional publishing would ever go away. I still love to hold and feel the printed book before me. I cannot imagine what it would be like not to experience books in this manner. Publishing companies might have to change the way they publish, but I think the printed book will still be here in twenty years. In essence, my viewpoint is that technology could never replace the printed book.
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Prompt 15
What do you think are the best ways to market your library's fiction collection?
Showcasing the fiction collection is extremely important in public libraries. Marketing can take place inside the library with in-person and passive readers' advisory and outside of the library through the library website and social media like Facebook, Pinterest, Snapchat and Instagram.
Book Displays
One of the best ways to highlight the collection is to use book displays. These can be placed in high-traffic areas that people must either pass to get to material or upon entering the library. The library system I work in has "New" fiction right inside the door. Many times patrons do not get much farther than the new book section. Book displays can highlight different genres and/or authors. It is really important to change displays every two to three weeks with a new display in order to grasp readers' attention. If books are not being selected, then displays should be changed sooner. The goal is to attract readers to books. Simple displays are always effective, which is good because I am not always very creative at making an elaborate display.
Book Lists and Bookmarks
Having bookmarks and book lists located at various spots around the library is a good use of passive readers' advisory techniques. Bookmarks can list a few titles or author read-alikes while book lists are longer versions of these. Both bookmarks and book lists can also be utilized on the library website to market books. Newsletters can be e-mailed to patrons which can contain lists of books. My library uses Library Aware, which patrons can sign-up to receive newsletters of book lists on various genres that are of interest to them. The staff at my library (myself included) create monthly book lists of new books in specific genres that have been recently acquired by the library. I make a newsletter of new cozy mysteries each month, usually about four or five new titles. I also make suggestions for old favorites or other titles that patrons might have missed in the Library Aware newsletter.
Book Trailers
Book trailers are a great way to promote new titles or older titles that have been missed. Book trailers can be used both at the library, on the library website and through social media platforms. Our library system has just recently started using digital signage to advertise events, programs and services. Book trailers could be a natural extension of using this wonderful marketing tool in the library. Book trailers could be created by staff to promote titles and hidden gems in the fiction collection. Book trailers can also be included on the library website and social media which would link to the book in order for patrons to put a hold on a book or read it instantly with an e-book.
Showcasing the fiction collection is extremely important in public libraries. Marketing can take place inside the library with in-person and passive readers' advisory and outside of the library through the library website and social media like Facebook, Pinterest, Snapchat and Instagram.
Book Displays
One of the best ways to highlight the collection is to use book displays. These can be placed in high-traffic areas that people must either pass to get to material or upon entering the library. The library system I work in has "New" fiction right inside the door. Many times patrons do not get much farther than the new book section. Book displays can highlight different genres and/or authors. It is really important to change displays every two to three weeks with a new display in order to grasp readers' attention. If books are not being selected, then displays should be changed sooner. The goal is to attract readers to books. Simple displays are always effective, which is good because I am not always very creative at making an elaborate display.
Book Lists and Bookmarks
Having bookmarks and book lists located at various spots around the library is a good use of passive readers' advisory techniques. Bookmarks can list a few titles or author read-alikes while book lists are longer versions of these. Both bookmarks and book lists can also be utilized on the library website to market books. Newsletters can be e-mailed to patrons which can contain lists of books. My library uses Library Aware, which patrons can sign-up to receive newsletters of book lists on various genres that are of interest to them. The staff at my library (myself included) create monthly book lists of new books in specific genres that have been recently acquired by the library. I make a newsletter of new cozy mysteries each month, usually about four or five new titles. I also make suggestions for old favorites or other titles that patrons might have missed in the Library Aware newsletter.
Book Trailers
Book trailers are a great way to promote new titles or older titles that have been missed. Book trailers can be used both at the library, on the library website and through social media platforms. Our library system has just recently started using digital signage to advertise events, programs and services. Book trailers could be a natural extension of using this wonderful marketing tool in the library. Book trailers could be created by staff to promote titles and hidden gems in the fiction collection. Book trailers can also be included on the library website and social media which would link to the book in order for patrons to put a hold on a book or read it instantly with an e-book.
Thursday, April 13, 2017
Prompt 14
Should you separate GLBTQ fiction and African American fiction in the library collection? If I am part of the collection development and management team at my library, I would not separate GLBTQ fiction and African American fiction from the rest of the collection.
The first reason is that I consider GLBTQ fiction and African American fiction to be subject or topic specific, but not a separate genre. Following my library collection plan, genres such as mystery, fantasy, science fiction and westerns are separated in the collection as well as formats like graphic novels, large print and audiobooks. Many public libraries including the library system I work in do not shelve subjects or topics (theme) like Christian fiction in a separate area. They are shelved in the general fiction collection. The same rules and policy should follow with GLBTQ fiction and African American fiction. These materials should be shelved with the rest of the collection.
The second reason that these types should be shelved together with the collection is that you would be separating these materials and that would lead to segregation. African Americans do not want their book titles placed on separate shelves. African Americans want their works treated the same as white authors (Jamison, 2010). Separating material would also make it appear that you are distinguishing GLBTQ works by putting them aside (or hidden in a corner) so that people don't "accidentally" read this type of material. Keeping it separate causes discrimination.
The third reason not to separate GLBTQ fiction and African American fiction is that it helps foster and promote a diverse collection of all genres based on many topics and themes. A library wants patrons to provide a diverse selection of books for patrons to read and enjoy. Separating them into themes would result in people missing out on a good book, whether it is written by an African American author or contains GLBTQ themes.
It is really important for the library to have a strong collection development plan in place. A collection development policy can be used to guide how the collection is shelved before any problems arise from patrons insisting that certain themed literature be separated.
Work Cited:
Jemisin, N. (2010, May 26). Don't put my book in the African American section. Retrieved from http://nkjemisin.com/2010/05/dont-put-my-book-in-the-african-american-section/
The first reason is that I consider GLBTQ fiction and African American fiction to be subject or topic specific, but not a separate genre. Following my library collection plan, genres such as mystery, fantasy, science fiction and westerns are separated in the collection as well as formats like graphic novels, large print and audiobooks. Many public libraries including the library system I work in do not shelve subjects or topics (theme) like Christian fiction in a separate area. They are shelved in the general fiction collection. The same rules and policy should follow with GLBTQ fiction and African American fiction. These materials should be shelved with the rest of the collection.
The second reason that these types should be shelved together with the collection is that you would be separating these materials and that would lead to segregation. African Americans do not want their book titles placed on separate shelves. African Americans want their works treated the same as white authors (Jamison, 2010). Separating material would also make it appear that you are distinguishing GLBTQ works by putting them aside (or hidden in a corner) so that people don't "accidentally" read this type of material. Keeping it separate causes discrimination.
The third reason not to separate GLBTQ fiction and African American fiction is that it helps foster and promote a diverse collection of all genres based on many topics and themes. A library wants patrons to provide a diverse selection of books for patrons to read and enjoy. Separating them into themes would result in people missing out on a good book, whether it is written by an African American author or contains GLBTQ themes.
It is really important for the library to have a strong collection development plan in place. A collection development policy can be used to guide how the collection is shelved before any problems arise from patrons insisting that certain themed literature be separated.
Work Cited:
Jemisin, N. (2010, May 26). Don't put my book in the African American section. Retrieved from http://nkjemisin.com/2010/05/dont-put-my-book-in-the-african-american-section/
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Prompt 13
I think it is important to begin by saying whatever someone likes to read, then they should be able to read it without any judgments from others. People of any age should be able to enjoy what they are reading, no matter the genre or format. This includes graphic novels and young adult literature. Young adult literature and graphic novels often have negative connotations but they do get people involved in reading so libraries should be spending budgets on these types of materials.
Young adult books are more appealing than ever before. I wish they had some of these great books when I was a teen. I have found in recent years that I love reading young adult fiction. When you see a book like John Green's Fault in Our Stars turned into a movie, it draws attention to young adult literature. Young adult literature contains many genres such as realistic fiction, mystery, fantasy and science fiction. I think of the content as a more PG-13 version than what can be found in adult books. One of my first books to read in recent years was The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I loved the entire series and couldn't wait to read more books like these. One of my other favorite young adult books has been Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor and Park. I just fell in love with the story line and it really moved me. Young adult books can appeal to older adults as well. Young adult books can touch on topics such as identity and self-actualization, topics that still can be beneficial to adults. It is easy to relate to young adult novels and you can easily lose yourself in young adult books. The book that I did for my young adult annotation, The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon is one of those books that you can lose yourself in and find yourself pulling the for the protagonists, Daniel and Natasha. Everything, Everything also by Yoon will be released in a theater in May. I was seeing another movie just this past week and a trailer for Everything, Everything came on the screen. Many people around me started saying we have to see this movie. Then I heard an adult say, "You know that is a book right? You should read it, it is so good". Adults are attracted to young adult novels.
Graphic novels are popular with children, teens and adults. Popularity should be reflected in collection development approaches in the library (likewise with young adult literature). The Walking Dead series is very popular in out library system with adults among other titles. The library needs to continue adding to the collection to satisfy patron demand. I think that whatever gets people engaging with text, including graphic novels, is important. Graphic novels do just that, they get the reader to connect to the material. There is a lot of thought that goes into reading the panes of a graphic novel. The images in the panes enhance and complete the story. Graphic novels are a viable part of the collection in the library.
Graphic novels and young adult literature come in different genres. Libraries can use this to promote both of these types of materials. Librarians can make displays that include graphic novels and/or young adult literature to attract adults. Displays could be on specific genres or exclusive to graphic and young adult novels. Librarians need to be familiar and use tools for readers' advisory for both young adult and graphic novels. Libraries need to continue to meet patron demand by offering both graphic novels and young adult literature as part of the collection.
Young adult books are more appealing than ever before. I wish they had some of these great books when I was a teen. I have found in recent years that I love reading young adult fiction. When you see a book like John Green's Fault in Our Stars turned into a movie, it draws attention to young adult literature. Young adult literature contains many genres such as realistic fiction, mystery, fantasy and science fiction. I think of the content as a more PG-13 version than what can be found in adult books. One of my first books to read in recent years was The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I loved the entire series and couldn't wait to read more books like these. One of my other favorite young adult books has been Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor and Park. I just fell in love with the story line and it really moved me. Young adult books can appeal to older adults as well. Young adult books can touch on topics such as identity and self-actualization, topics that still can be beneficial to adults. It is easy to relate to young adult novels and you can easily lose yourself in young adult books. The book that I did for my young adult annotation, The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon is one of those books that you can lose yourself in and find yourself pulling the for the protagonists, Daniel and Natasha. Everything, Everything also by Yoon will be released in a theater in May. I was seeing another movie just this past week and a trailer for Everything, Everything came on the screen. Many people around me started saying we have to see this movie. Then I heard an adult say, "You know that is a book right? You should read it, it is so good". Adults are attracted to young adult novels.
Graphic novels are popular with children, teens and adults. Popularity should be reflected in collection development approaches in the library (likewise with young adult literature). The Walking Dead series is very popular in out library system with adults among other titles. The library needs to continue adding to the collection to satisfy patron demand. I think that whatever gets people engaging with text, including graphic novels, is important. Graphic novels do just that, they get the reader to connect to the material. There is a lot of thought that goes into reading the panes of a graphic novel. The images in the panes enhance and complete the story. Graphic novels are a viable part of the collection in the library.
Graphic novels and young adult literature come in different genres. Libraries can use this to promote both of these types of materials. Librarians can make displays that include graphic novels and/or young adult literature to attract adults. Displays could be on specific genres or exclusive to graphic and young adult novels. Librarians need to be familiar and use tools for readers' advisory for both young adult and graphic novels. Libraries need to continue to meet patron demand by offering both graphic novels and young adult literature as part of the collection.
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Young Adult Annotation
Title: The Sun Is Also a Star
Genre: Young Adult (Realistic Fiction)
Publication Date: November 1, 2016
Number of Pages: 384
Geographical Setting: New York City
Time Period: Current
Plot Summary:
Daniel is the son of South Korean immigrants. His parents are adamant that he will become a doctor. Daniel always does whatever his parents want. But Daniel is a dreamer, always has been and always will be. His true passion is for poetry.
Natasha believes in science and facts, things she can see. Natasha is from Jamaica. This is her last day in the United States. Her family has been here illegally for years and they will all be deported in the evening.
In a last ditch effort to keep the family from being deported, Natasha sets out across New York City to find a way to stay in the United States legally. Daniel sets out for his important interview as part of the application process to get into Yale. Daniel sees Natasha on the street and is so taken with her, that he follows her into a record store. For Daniel, it is love at first sight. After their first meeting, they end up heading in the same direction when Daniel saves Natasha from getting hit by a car. As their paths continue to cross, is it just coincidence or fate that has brought them together? Daniel convinces Natasha to spend the day with him and at the same time tries to prove that they are meant to be together to Natasha who only sees the science in life. So he goes to prove love using a scientific approach, but he only has until the remainder of the day. Will Daniel be able to prove love to Natasha? Was it fate that brought them together?
Subject Headings:
Immigrants - Fiction
Interpersonal Relationships - Fiction
Illegal Aliens - Fiction
Deportation - Fiction
Korean Americans - Fiction
Fate and Fatalism - Fiction
New York (N.Y.) - Fiction
Love Stories
Young Adult Fiction
Appeal:
- character-driven.
- great dialogue between the main characters, Natasha and Daniel.
- Natasha and Daniel (protagonists) each tell the their story from their point of view.
- emotional tone pulls the reader into the story.
- fast paced, but short chapters make it easy to put down and pick up later.
- setting is contemporary and deals with family relationships and the timely topic of immigration and deportation.
3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors:
Like No Other by Una LaMarche
Fate brings Devorah and Jax together when they are trapped in an elevator during a hurricane. They are both from different cultures and a relationship would be out of the question. But they both continue to see each other in secret, risking everything.
-relates because both stories contain culturally diverse characters who fall for each other.
Something in Between by Melissa De la Cruz
Jasmine is a great student who has worked hard to go to college, making her Filipino immigrant parents proud of her achievements. She dates Royce, who she cares about considerably. Royce's father is a congressman opposing an immigration bill. Jasmine suddenly finds everything falling apart, even her relationship with Royce when she finds out that her entire family is living in the United States illegally.
-realistic fiction story that relates to the topic of immigration and deportation.
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer Smith
Hadley and Oliver meet at the airport and they seem to connect with each other immediately, even sharing a kiss on their flight to London. Then they lose track of each other at the airport and Hadley has less than 24 hours to find him before she returns to the United States.
-relates to Daniel giving scientific reasons to Natasha why fate brought them together.
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