Secret Shopper
I had no high expectations - or even expectations for that matter - for this reader's advisory session. I always found that these conversations never work out how I expect them too. I've been to the library a couple times and they have not done a great job at these reader's advisory sessions.
However, I was pleasantly surprised with the woman who helped me. She was perky, polite, and seemed excited to be there. She was honest in her response to my question, "Do you know of any good books?" She explained that she hadn't had that question in a while, so she wasn't sure if she could find exactly what I want.
After choosing a category, fantasy, she typed the category into GoodReads. We read the first book that came up under the search, A Darker Shade of Magic by Victoria Schwab. From the short synopsis on GoodReads, I found myself intrigued and decided that was the book I wanted to read. The librarian even said, "I don't feel like I helped you." I found the book I was looking for, so it was a successful reader's advisory session. The librarian was willing to spend more time helping me look, but I was excited to read the book we looked for!
Paige, this is totally AWESOME! I love that your librarian looked through Goodreads with you, and that she wasn't afraid to express her own insecurities and worries about the experience. I know that I really struggle with learning to say "gee, I don't know," or "wow, that's tough." I'm starting a new job that will have some RA duties involved, and seeing your description of your librarian's honesty has inspired me to have the same transparency with my new patrons!
ReplyDeleteI really did appreciate her honesty. It made me feel better when I respond that way to my students sometimes at my library!
DeleteTransparency is HUGE in RA, I think. I wish my secret shopper task had gone that way, but no luck there. I think it comes into the idea of "addressing our biases" and making sure that we're not just stuck recommending the same things we would like to read. (I would also love to read A Darker Shade of Magic, just saying) I've told patrons many times that I'm outside of my wheelhouse on the recommendations, so I have to get some external help (be that goodreads, novelist, a coworker, or even someone from outside of the library I know is an expert in that area). I think we need to be unafraid to say "I don't know, but let me find out" and then be willing to follow-up and make sure the patron is satisfied.
ReplyDeleteRight....it's hard not to recommend books that you have liked! But just because you like it, doesn't mean the patron will like it. It's important to show transparency and be honest, even if you may not know the answer! And it's totally ok if you don't know the answer.
DeleteI love the comments your post inspired about transparency. I think that it takes a great librarian to admit that you aren't infallible and that your book recs may not be perfect. We can't hit the nail on the head every time! I always tell patrons to seek me out when they finish a book I've recommended and to let me know if they've loved or hated it. I've definitely recommended a few duds, but it's much easier to laugh about it and learn what they didn't like about it to help inspire the next search to get an even better book.
ReplyDeleteI really like your follow up in your reader's advisory sessions. It helps invite another conversation for when the book ended...and gives you more information for your next reader's advisory session!
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