Cindy Orr's Golden Rules of Readers' Advisory Service
These rules are the result of many enjoyable years of experience in readers' advisory service. Read the rules, incorporate them into your RA practice, adjust them if you wish. If you'd like to make copies, please contact Libraries Unlimited for permission at permissions@greenwood.com. No set of rules on RA service would be complete without a bow to Betty Rosenberg, who published Rosenberg's First Law of Reading in her book Genreflecting in 1982:
Rosenberg's First Law of Reading: "Never apologize for your reading tastes."
Orr's Corollary: "Never belittle anyone else's reading tastes either."
The Golden Rules of Readers' Advisory Services
Rule #1 - Read Read Read
There is no substitute for reading widely, so you now have the perfect excuse! Read what's hot, read outside your own personal preferences, read thoughtfully. Read, read, read!
Rule #2 - Write Write Write
Keep a reading log with dates. Record each book you read with notes about who might enjoy it, how it made you feel, thoughts on its appeal and possible readalikes. Write it down and you'll be more likely to remember it later.
Rule #3 - Prepare Prepare Prepare
Sure, some people have the knack, but readers' advisory skills can be acquired. Attend conference workshops, enroll in online courses, sign up for in service training, familiarize yourself with RA tools. At meetings, encourage colleagues to give a two-minute book talk on something they've read. And when faced with a reader, don't panic. Remember to use those skills and tools.
Rule #4 - Attitude and Atmosphere Are Everything
Make your customers feel welcome in every way you can. Avid readers love to browse. Create an ambiance that feels leisurely and welcoming, and make displays and reading lists to help your readers find good books. Offer friendly assistance when appropriate, and listen attentively.
Rule #5 - Don't Pigeonhole the Readers
Find out what the reader really wants, and never rely on preconceptions that may prove embarrassingly false. That sweet little old lady may love gory horror or steamy romances, and the teenager with the eyebrow ring might just adore Jane Austen. Don't jump to conclusions.
Rule #6 - Don't Pigeonhole the Books
If you don't read in a particular genre, all the books in that genre may seem the same. But to genre fans, there are infinite nuances. If books in a particular genre seem all alike to you, then you haven't learned enough about the genre.
Rule #7 - It's Not About You
Readers want a book that is right for them. Resist the temptation to talk about your favorite book or the book you are reading now. Put yourself into the readers' shoes and try to understand what they might like, what they are in the mood for, what would appeal to them, and not what you yourself enjoy-or even worse, what you think they should read.
Rule #8 - There Is No Perfect Answer
There is no "one perfect book" for a reader, so don't pressure yourself. Suggest a range of titles. Readers face an overwhelming array of shelf after shelf of books. If you can narrow their choice to an armload of good candidates, you will have helped them immensely.
Rule #9 - Invite the Reader Back
The readers' advisory interview is an ongoing conversation. Invite readers to come back and tell you how they liked the books you suggested. If they return, you've been successful. Even if they didn't like the choices, you can talk about what they didn't like and make better suggestions next time.
Rule #10 - Keep Current With new books being published every day, it's vital to keep current. Read widely, attend conferences, watch for articles on reading and publishing trends. Be aware of local book and author events, read daily newspapers, and subscribe to electronic newsletters, blogs and discussion groups so you can stay ahead of your readers.
Rule #11 - Enjoy Yourself
Being a readers' advisor is a privilege-and it's fun! Begin every day remembering that you could be flipping burgers or working in the hot sun. Instead you get to spend the day talking about books! Immerse yourself in the moment, enjoy the people, and have fun!
Rule #12 - Pass It On
This field is still young, in need of more experts and good teachers. Pick a niche that you love, learn what you can, and then share it with others. Give workshops, write articles, teach classes, or train your colleagues. Be an evangelist. It's vital work. Pass it on.
Cynthia Orr is the Collection Manager at Cleveland Public Library in Ohio. She teaches Readers' Advisory Service classes and workshops for Kent State University's Graduate School of Library and Information Science, writes Read-Alike columns for NoveList, and is a member of the PLA Readers' Advisory Committee. The Golden Rules are excerpted from a forthcoming book to be published by Libraries Unlimited.