Readers' Advisory Service in the Public Library

Do you have anything else like this?"" In public libraries, reference librarians are often called on to make recommendations to readers, sometimes in genres that they don't personally read. Learning how to frame a discussion and articulate the appeal of a book, author, or genre marks the essence of a successful readers' advisor. Readers' advisory is defined as, ""patron-oriented library service for adult fiction readers,"" according to Saricks, a noted expert on the subject. In the completely revised third edition of Readers' Advisory Service for Public Libraries, Saricks updates this critically acclaimed how-to guide, making it more helpful than ever. As reference librarians seek support in guiding adult readers, they've come to trust this authoritative resource. It has been expanded and improved with: Easy ways to create ""read alike"" lists, identifying what else is ""like"" a favorite book; Practical guidelines for conducting the advisory interview so it's a comfortable exchange; Confidence-boosting tactics for drawing on reviews to make recommendations; Methods for incorporating nonfiction into the discussion; More resources and online tools; Using the proven strategies in this newly updated, back-to-basics overview, librarians providing readers' advisory services will find the answers they need to help customers make appropriate choices.

Joyce G. Saricks has worked as coordinator of the Literature and Audio Services Department at the Downers Grove Public Library since 1983. In addition to co-authoring Readers' Advisory Service in the Public Library (ALA Editions), she has published several articles on readers' advisory and co-created the Adult Reading Round Table, an organization of more than 200 Chicago-area readers' advisors. In 1989, Saricks won the Public Library Association's Allie Beth Martin Award, and in 2000 was named Librarian of the Year by the Romance Writers of America. She has presented more than seventy workshops on readers' advisory for public libraries and library systems around the country. Saricks earned her master's degree in library science from the University of Chicago.