In recent weeks (February 2006) there has been an extended discussion on the FICTION_L mailing list about the classification of genre fiction; specifically should a library have all fiction in one big section, alpha by author or should it be broken up into different genres? Like many library issues, this is a complicated question with many possible answers. Many of the responses to the original query detailed what had been done in various libraries, and offered a variety of opinions, both from the user's perspective and that of the librarians as to what they felt should be done.
As I followed this discussion I wondered, why has no one mentioned any research related to this area? In fact, I knew that quite a bit of research had been done on this topic, and I was mystified on why it was not being discussed. After nearly a week of discussion, one librarian posted asking if anyone knew of any research on this issue. I responded immediately with an annotated bibliography of 12 research studies that address genre classification and browsing (see http://www.webrary.org/maillist/menus/Re.GenreFictionclassifica.html). While the discussion continued on for several more days, I noticed only two other posts that addressed the research question.
I relate this story because it is a perfect example of what I see as a major disconnect between library services like readers' advisory and the research on readers' advisory. Since 1985 Sharon Baker has written several articles and book chapters on how users navigate library collections and how to best market library collections so that they are the most attractive and usable for library patrons. Her work has appeared in such well known library publications as RQ, Public Libraries and Library and Information Science Research, as well as Guiding the Reader to the Next Book (ed. by Ken Shearer) as well as Baker's own book, The Responsive Public Library: how to market and develop a winning collection (2nd ed. 2002). Yet her work, and the work of other researchers in this area, was barely mentioned in the discussion of genre classification on a mailing list with nearly 3000 subscribers. Why not?
I propose two major reasons for this apparent lack of interest. First, many librarians are not aware of the research related to this and many other practical library service topics. Second, if librarians do know of the research, it is both inaccessible and/or not considered of practical use in everyday library work. Other librarians' opinions and experiences, while entirely anecdotal and often subjective or specific to certain conditions, are seemingly given more value than formal and objective research.
Library services can only be improved and readers better served if we learn more about what we do. Therefore, as a readers' advisor, start becoming aware of the solid and relevant research that can help you better serve you patrons. While it is important to take into account the size of your library and the needs of your patrons, it is also important to know what research has been done that can help you.
Few librarians have the time or resources to search out, read, understand and implement research, but I encourage you to make an effort. One source is Reference and User Services Quarterly, which has a regular Readers' Advisory column in addition to several recent research articles related to the readers' advisory. The table of contents for each issue is available online at: http://www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusapubs/rusq/contents/contents.htm In addition, I am currently writing a book that discusses not only the research related to important readers' advisory topics like genre classification, but also the practical implications of the research and how the results can be applied to improve services to readers. It is my hope to provide readers' advisors with better access to research as well as practical commentary from current practitioners.
So what does the research actually say about genre classification? Baker and others demonstrate that users appreciate collections that are small enough to browse, because many readers report browsing as their preferred method of finding a new book and want a part of the collection small enough to be able to browse without becoming overwhelmed. Furthermore, many patrons do not want to ask for assistance, nor do they want to spend a lot of time sorting through books they really don't want to read. For larger libraries, this usually means the big fiction collection needs to be broken into genres. But genre classification is not the only solution; creating displays can also be an effective way to serve readers. With displays you can incorporate various formats, such as genre fiction, nonfiction, videos, audio books and music in the same area. Good displays take time and commitment, as they must be conceived, created, and restocked on a regular schedule.
Research also shows that genre classification (and displays) increase circulation. Patrons are less likely to become lost and overwhelmed, and more likely to find books of interest and/or what they came to the library for in the first place. Satisfied patrons return to the library and tell their friends they had were able to find a good book at the library. While these results may seem obvious, part of the reason is because Baker's results have been around for nearly 20 years and have gradually seeped into practice. Research results like these should clearly be considered in any decision to add or remove genre classifications from fiction collections. Of course, they should not be the only factor; it is always important to take into account your own patrons and library, as well as the experiences of other libraries and librarians.
References
Baker, Sharon L. "A Decade's Worth of Research on browsing fiction collections". In Guiding the reader to the next book, ed., by Kenneth Shearer, Neal-Schuman, 1996: 127-147
Baker, Sharon L. "The display phenomenon: an exploration into the factors causing the increased circulation of displayed books", Library Quarterly, vol 56, 1986: 237-57
Baker, Sharon L. and Karen L Wallace, The Responsive Public Library: How to develop and market a winning collection. 2nd edition. Libraries Unlimited, 2002.
Shepherd, Gay W. and Sharon L. Baker, "Fiction classification, a brief review of the research", Public Libraries, vol 26, spring 1987: 31-32
Jessica Moyer
is Director of Academic Resources, Learning Resources Center at Richland Community College in Decatur, Illinois. Her book on readers' advisory research and practice is scheduled for publication in December 2007 by ALA Editions.