As I have grown, I have noticed that reading has changed quite a bit for me. I am now more critical of what I read. Some of the authors I loved growing up are no longer ones that I read as much, because I find that their books, while entertaining, are not as well written as I once thought them to be. Louis L'Amour is a great example of this. His books will always hold a special place in my heart, but I can't read one right after another anymore. Only when I am in the mood for a quick read. I think this change has occurred mostly because of the training I have received in literature and writing. My undergrad degree is in English Education. We were constantly taught and retaught to analyze what we read and critique it. I now approach each book I read with this mindset unconsciously. I still love reading all types of books, but I now opinion of a book now has several more filters to go through than it used to.
As for the second question, I will first talk about what I think a crazy cool, futuristic version of books could be, in honor of today being Star Wars Day (May the 4th be with you all!). I think it would be really exciting if, in the future, we still have an actual book that we hold. However, as we turn each page, holograms of the characters and the scenes will pop on the page and voice actors will read the story as the holograms depict what is happening. It kind of like combining the best of movies and audiobooks together, while still getting the feeling that you are curling up with a book. It would be really cool if at the end of the book, you could choose to instantly connect to others that were reading the same story at the same time for an impromtu book discussion. Yeah, that would be pretty cool.
Okay, a little more seriously now. I have talked before about how digital downloads are growing rapidly in usage in public libraries. While I understand why this could be alarming to some, I am not scared of this change. I truly believe that we will eventually see digital books and physical books settle into a TV/radio relationship. They will both still exist, popularity will just fluctuate. Now, I don't want to get into too much right now, but I will be working on a research paper this summer (with the hopes of getting published) that will attempt to show that offering digital downloads actually encourages physical library usage rather than discourages it. And I have statistics to back up my hypothesis. So stay tuned for that. Anyway, what I am trying to say is that libraries will have to embrace the idea of digital downloads if they want to stay successful and relevant in today's culture. It is just another tool to add to our tool belt.
I have enjoyed this semester with all of you and wish you the best of luck in the future. If you ever need help with library issues, feel free to look me up. I'm the circulation manager at the Hancock County Public Library. So if you ever want to come for a visit, I can show you some of the cool things we are doing or I can just answer questions you might have about how certain digital services or RFID implementation impact circulation and library usage. Okay, enough shameless plugging. Hope to "see" some of you in future classes.
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Week 15 Prompt Response
This question is of particular interest to me because I am the circulation manager at my library. It is hard for me to focus just on the fiction books, because it is my job to find ways to promote all of our items. That said, I will do my best.
One way that I am especially passionate about is library-wide campaigns to promote specific areas of the library collection or the collection as a whole. Currently, my library is trying to circulate 1,000,000 items for the first time in our history. To encourage patrons to help us reach this goal, we are doing a year long campaign promoting the idea of helping us reach 1,000,000. We began introducing this idea by word of mouth only at the beginning of the year in the circulation department, encouraging patrons to check out items and consider trying new materials. Then, during National Library Week, we offered prizes for the first 100 people that checked out items on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. All of the prizes are branded with our logo for the campaign: "You are one in a million." Monday, patrons received window clings for their cars, which is a great way to get the idea out into the community. Wednesday, we gave out cell phone cases. Friday, we gave out stress balls. We plan to do more things as we progress throughout the year. Some ideas include making an outdoor bookshelf that will increase in fullness as we move towards our goal. This way patrons driving by the library can monitor our progress. Should we reach our goal, we plan to have a community wide party to celebrate, complete with door prizes. So far, we have been seeing a steady increase in all areas of our materials. So, while this doesn't focus on fiction specifically, it does promote its circulation. Any library-wide campaign like this is a good idea to do periodically to get the community more involved in the library.
Another way to promote fiction specifically is Blind Date with a Book. Some of you are probably familiar with this, but it does help encourage readers to try new authors and books. Basically what happens is several fiction books are wrapped up in paper like a gift so that the title can not be seen (libraries utilizing RFID can cover the entire book, those that aren't need to leave the barcode exposed). Then, descriptive qualities of that book are written on the paper. For example, a book may say: Mystery, Spies, Lost Treasure. The idea is that patrons will take a "Blind Date" with a book and check out something they find interesting but is not a book they would pick up otherwise. We have done this the past few years and it is growing in popularity. Also, this can easily be adapted for other areas of library.
Finally, one thing that we do not do at our library (but I want to do) is staff recommendations of fiction titles. It is my belief that if we are doing our jobs well, we will develop good relationships with our regular patrons. Once the patrons know you, they are apt to respect your opinion more. To set aside a shelf that staff keeps stocked with their personal recommendations can be a great way to promote fiction books. We all tend to trust the opinion of people we trust or will at least give their recommendations a try. It is important to have a brief note with the title you are recommending that states why you recommend it. Doing a promotion like this, makes us, as librarians, seem more like real people and improves our interactions with patrons.
One way that I am especially passionate about is library-wide campaigns to promote specific areas of the library collection or the collection as a whole. Currently, my library is trying to circulate 1,000,000 items for the first time in our history. To encourage patrons to help us reach this goal, we are doing a year long campaign promoting the idea of helping us reach 1,000,000. We began introducing this idea by word of mouth only at the beginning of the year in the circulation department, encouraging patrons to check out items and consider trying new materials. Then, during National Library Week, we offered prizes for the first 100 people that checked out items on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. All of the prizes are branded with our logo for the campaign: "You are one in a million." Monday, patrons received window clings for their cars, which is a great way to get the idea out into the community. Wednesday, we gave out cell phone cases. Friday, we gave out stress balls. We plan to do more things as we progress throughout the year. Some ideas include making an outdoor bookshelf that will increase in fullness as we move towards our goal. This way patrons driving by the library can monitor our progress. Should we reach our goal, we plan to have a community wide party to celebrate, complete with door prizes. So far, we have been seeing a steady increase in all areas of our materials. So, while this doesn't focus on fiction specifically, it does promote its circulation. Any library-wide campaign like this is a good idea to do periodically to get the community more involved in the library.
Another way to promote fiction specifically is Blind Date with a Book. Some of you are probably familiar with this, but it does help encourage readers to try new authors and books. Basically what happens is several fiction books are wrapped up in paper like a gift so that the title can not be seen (libraries utilizing RFID can cover the entire book, those that aren't need to leave the barcode exposed). Then, descriptive qualities of that book are written on the paper. For example, a book may say: Mystery, Spies, Lost Treasure. The idea is that patrons will take a "Blind Date" with a book and check out something they find interesting but is not a book they would pick up otherwise. We have done this the past few years and it is growing in popularity. Also, this can easily be adapted for other areas of library.
Finally, one thing that we do not do at our library (but I want to do) is staff recommendations of fiction titles. It is my belief that if we are doing our jobs well, we will develop good relationships with our regular patrons. Once the patrons know you, they are apt to respect your opinion more. To set aside a shelf that staff keeps stocked with their personal recommendations can be a great way to promote fiction books. We all tend to trust the opinion of people we trust or will at least give their recommendations a try. It is important to have a brief note with the title you are recommending that states why you recommend it. Doing a promotion like this, makes us, as librarians, seem more like real people and improves our interactions with patrons.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Week 14 Prompt
Considering my local library, I would not separate these two areas. At least, not right now.
First off, it can be really hard to classify to break these books out from their current sections. For instance, you may have a book currently shelved in a mystery section, but it also qualifies as African-American fiction. I think that at a certain point separating into such specific genres creates more headaches for the patrons trying to locate books. A patron may come into the library looking for a book that I know is a mystery and not be able to find it. We all know people don't ask for help as often as they should and this patron may just leave without finding what they were looking for.
Secondly, I tend to prefer more broad sections of genres. My library currently has Fiction, Mystery, Biography, a small Western section, and a small Romance section. I like having these broad categories because I feel that it encourages a wider range of reading. For me as the librarian to begin breaking books out into such specific categories, would mean labeling the books. This could have the unintended consequence of turning people off from some titles just because it falls into a certain category. Patron: "Oh my friend, highly recommends Book A." Me: "Yes, it's on the bestseller list. Very popular. You can find it in our GLBTQ section." Patron: "Ohhh. Never mind. I find something else." Sad, but true. It's not that I have an issue with a patron not liking a book. It's that I have an issue with someone deciding they don't like a book based on classification, when they may have read and enjoyed it had it been placed in a broader category like Fiction or Mystery.
Lastly, there is the issue of privacy. My community is not very diverse and the demand for these particular genres are not as high as others. To create these sections would instantly segregate certain groups of people in our community. I'm not sure that is an issue I would want to take on as a librarian. I don't like labeling books, but I definitely don't want to be a part of labeling people. Unfortunately, I see that happening by separating these genres out.
Now, I do believe there is a time to separate out new sections. If the demand is high enough and it makes sense for your community, then I have no issue with it. It is just that, at my library, I don't see the need for these sections at this time.
First off, it can be really hard to classify to break these books out from their current sections. For instance, you may have a book currently shelved in a mystery section, but it also qualifies as African-American fiction. I think that at a certain point separating into such specific genres creates more headaches for the patrons trying to locate books. A patron may come into the library looking for a book that I know is a mystery and not be able to find it. We all know people don't ask for help as often as they should and this patron may just leave without finding what they were looking for.
Secondly, I tend to prefer more broad sections of genres. My library currently has Fiction, Mystery, Biography, a small Western section, and a small Romance section. I like having these broad categories because I feel that it encourages a wider range of reading. For me as the librarian to begin breaking books out into such specific categories, would mean labeling the books. This could have the unintended consequence of turning people off from some titles just because it falls into a certain category. Patron: "Oh my friend, highly recommends Book A." Me: "Yes, it's on the bestseller list. Very popular. You can find it in our GLBTQ section." Patron: "Ohhh. Never mind. I find something else." Sad, but true. It's not that I have an issue with a patron not liking a book. It's that I have an issue with someone deciding they don't like a book based on classification, when they may have read and enjoyed it had it been placed in a broader category like Fiction or Mystery.
Lastly, there is the issue of privacy. My community is not very diverse and the demand for these particular genres are not as high as others. To create these sections would instantly segregate certain groups of people in our community. I'm not sure that is an issue I would want to take on as a librarian. I don't like labeling books, but I definitely don't want to be a part of labeling people. Unfortunately, I see that happening by separating these genres out.
Now, I do believe there is a time to separate out new sections. If the demand is high enough and it makes sense for your community, then I have no issue with it. It is just that, at my library, I don't see the need for these sections at this time.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Week 13 Prompt
Sorry, this post is a little later than I had planned. I am currently posting from the hospital as my wife went into labor a little eariler than expected and gave birth to a beautiful baby girl yesterday afternoon. Mom and baby are doing great, but forgive me if I keep my thoughts short this week.
My biggest philosophy as a librarian is that librarians should always promote literacy. Literacy is a broad term that encompasses many things. Literacy is not just promoting the classics. It is not something that only applies to children. Literacy should be the goal of every librarian for the patrons they serve regardless of age. So what does that mean?
Well, if many different things encourage literacy (and for the purposes of this post, I will focus on graphic novels, street lit, and YA lit), then they should all be included in the library. These different genres help promote literacy because people are reading, period. That is what we want. It doesn't matter what people read. It only matters that they are reading and learning. It all supports literacy. If reading a graphic novel is enjoyable for you, then you are more apt to read something else regardless of your age. Literacy can impact nearly every area of our lives. Check out this site: Literacy Benefits
So how do we embrace these emerging genres? First of all, we have to accept the fact that all reading is good reading from the standpoint of literacy. (I'm not saying that we have to like everything our patrons read, because I know I don't). Then we need to make the effort to promote these new types of literature the same way we would promote other genres. My library has recently created a graphic novel section in Adult Fiction. It is enormously popular. You would be amazed at how many adults check these out compared to when the only graphic novel section was housed in our YA room. Just this simple form of encouragement said "Hey, adults can enjoy this too." It is this type of promotion that we need to have accross the board in libraries if we want to maintain relevancy in today's changing culture. If we don't, we aren't only hurting ourselves but the literacy of our patrons.
My biggest philosophy as a librarian is that librarians should always promote literacy. Literacy is a broad term that encompasses many things. Literacy is not just promoting the classics. It is not something that only applies to children. Literacy should be the goal of every librarian for the patrons they serve regardless of age. So what does that mean?
Well, if many different things encourage literacy (and for the purposes of this post, I will focus on graphic novels, street lit, and YA lit), then they should all be included in the library. These different genres help promote literacy because people are reading, period. That is what we want. It doesn't matter what people read. It only matters that they are reading and learning. It all supports literacy. If reading a graphic novel is enjoyable for you, then you are more apt to read something else regardless of your age. Literacy can impact nearly every area of our lives. Check out this site: Literacy Benefits
So how do we embrace these emerging genres? First of all, we have to accept the fact that all reading is good reading from the standpoint of literacy. (I'm not saying that we have to like everything our patrons read, because I know I don't). Then we need to make the effort to promote these new types of literature the same way we would promote other genres. My library has recently created a graphic novel section in Adult Fiction. It is enormously popular. You would be amazed at how many adults check these out compared to when the only graphic novel section was housed in our YA room. Just this simple form of encouragement said "Hey, adults can enjoy this too." It is this type of promotion that we need to have accross the board in libraries if we want to maintain relevancy in today's changing culture. If we don't, we aren't only hurting ourselves but the literacy of our patrons.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Graphic Novel Annotation: American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
American Born Chinese By Gene Luen Yang
Synopsis: American Born Chinese weaves three separate stories together to explore the issues facing young Chinese Americans and to make a timely message on being true to oneself.
Genre: Young Adult Graphic Novel
Tone: Funny
Pacing: Fast-paced
Writing Style: Witty and Thoughtful and Engaging
Characteristics making it appealing for Young Adults:
- Fast-paced
- Teenage main character
- Appropriately addresses issues all young adults can relate to
- Art style is very comic-book like/cartoony as opposed to realistic artwork
- The Counterfeit Family Tree of Vee Crawford-Wong by L. Tam Holland
- Not a graphic novel, but deals with similar themes
- Queen Bee by Chyna Clugston-Major
- Graphic Novel
- The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci
- Graphic Novel
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Week 12 Prompt
Book: Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman
1. Where is the book on the narrative continuum?
A: The book does not read like a novel, but it blends personal stories with Scriptures and analysis, making it very readable.
2. What is the subject of the book?
A: Religion and Spirituality
3. What type of book is it?
A: The book is a book that challenges and encourages readers simultaneously through evaluation of their relationship with Jesus Christ
4. Articulate Appeal
A: People that are wanting to grow in their faith or are just curious about what it means to be a Christ-follower would enjoy reading this book. It is very readable and told in a safe, non-judgmental, yet truthful manner. Pastor Kyle Idleman has a very entertaining writing style.
1. Where is the book on the narrative continuum?
A: The book does not read like a novel, but it blends personal stories with Scriptures and analysis, making it very readable.
2. What is the subject of the book?
A: Religion and Spirituality
3. What type of book is it?
A: The book is a book that challenges and encourages readers simultaneously through evaluation of their relationship with Jesus Christ
4. Articulate Appeal
- Pacing- fast-paced
- Characters- author narrates and serves as the only true character, unless you count the people that occur in scriptural excerpts
- Tone- inspirational
- Author's Intent- Pastor Idleman's intent is to have reader's evaluate their faith by asking the simple question: Are you a fan or a follower of Jesus? By this he means, are you totally surrendered to His will for your life or are you just an admirer that thinks He was a good person, but His lifestyle is not for you?
- Focus- The focus of the book is on encouraging people to become a completely committed follower of Jesus.
- Language- Persuasive writing style and language
- Setting- No true setting, but many anecdotes have several settings
- Details- Uses the Bible to support many detailed claims about a what it looks like to be a completely committed follower
- Charts or other graphic material: none
- Moments of learning, experience, and understanding: The book is entirely comprised of this type of experience
A: People that are wanting to grow in their faith or are just curious about what it means to be a Christ-follower would enjoy reading this book. It is very readable and told in a safe, non-judgmental, yet truthful manner. Pastor Kyle Idleman has a very entertaining writing style.
Nonfiction Annotation: Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman
By: Kyle Idleman
Synopsis: Pastor Kyle Idleman asks a thought provoking question: Are you really a follower of Jesus or are you just a fan? This book will challenge your perception of your relationship with Jesus and encourage you to completely surrender your life to Him.
Pacing: Fast-paced
Tone: Inspirational
Genre: Religion and Spirituality
Learning/Experiencing: Both. This book balances personal stories and thought-provoking teachable sections
Read-a-likes:
- Crazy Love by Francis Chan
- Radical by David Platt
- AHA by Kyle Idleman
P.S. I realize opinions on this may vary, but at least read the book before you make up your mind.
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