Week 16 ... books -- best friends & bountiful

BOOKS               BOOKS
BOOKS               BOOKS
BOOKS               BOOKS
BOOKS               BOOKS
BOOKS               BOOKS
BOOKS               BOOKS
BOOKS               BOOKS

My mother & brother were never without a book

Sunrise or Sunset they always took a look

Mom would read on trips

whether car or ships

it was fun

even on the run!

I read to my three kids too

loved those days when they would sit on my lap

now, their teens & don't take the time

Video games is what they do

or take a nap

but those don't rhyme!

Reading & Books aren't the same

makes me sad

novels create a great game

& can never be Bad!

In 20 years I believe, even though there will be more e-books & different readers, books will still be published in a similar manner.  Now in forty years, I can see drastic changes.  Once the people a few years older than me begin to leave this earthy, I can see the younger generation & libraries in a totally different light.  Typical "book heavy" libraries will begin to fade and interactive books and programs will occur.  It will be likely people will NOT have to leave their homes to even attend a program because of how advanced technology will be within 40 years.  Or, it is even possible we will have cool cars like the Jetson's who will read the books to us while we drive.  Of course, if there are some super smart engineers the cars will drive for us so maybe we could still utilize an "old-fashioned" book.  Personally, I like the feel of a book in my hand, I don't want to look at a screen for everything - but, I do believe the times are changing.  Strange, because in the 1800's it was likely 70% of homes didn't even have more than 1 book ... wonder if it will be like that again?  (of course, each home will have 20+ electronically devices that could "read" a book)  Time will tell!

 

 

Week 15 ... Fiction ... Fun ... Fantastic

Fiction

The best ways to market fiction is to have it visible.  Technology makes it easy to "sell" fiction to readers, because it can easily be anywhere.  Magazines, billboards, television shows, apps - fiction is everywhere!  Not only are famous authors busy writing, television shows & movies are also all incorporated to help an author become even more famous!  James Patterson not has an unlimited number of #1 hits, he has also had cameos in Castle (who ironically is a writer), his face and books appear in numerous household magazines, and several movies have been made from his novels.  How can someone not KNOW James Patterson's books exist?

Nicholas Sparks has had so many of his treasures made into movies, he is quite similar -- simply famous!  Even though I'm not a fan of Oprah "picking" books, she has helped make the fiction world even more successful!  Another important way to market library's fiction is to simply be seen with a book.  I know LOTS of people in our community - everyone laughs at work, because if I don't know 90% of the patrons who walk through our department the day seems strange.  Thus, if I willingly and constantly carry a book, it will get noticed.  I got made fun of at basketball games this winter, but, almost every person that laughed because I had a book, also wanted to know what it was and if it was good.
Marketing
1. Technology - get the word out through blogging, Facebook, Twitter, Vine - there are so many options that it would be almost impossible to reach the majority of the patrons.
2. Book Clubs - There are so many different genres & age groups, that book clubs can easily "rope-in" a large number of visitors simply because a book club topic is interesting.
3. Displays - I am one of those strange reader who chooses a book by the cover - I don't care how good a book is - I need the cover to entice me - if it isn't appealing - it is a NO GO!  Thus, hooking library visitors with topical displays is a simple, cheap way to encourage reading.  Once a reader has finished an author - simple "read-a likes" will keep the "peruser" busy & willing to try new adventures!

Week 14 ...

As a past library director, I have encountered several scenarios that guide me with answering the topic this week.  Yes, there are times as an individual I wouldn't personally put an item in a library ... but, as the International Federation of Library Associations pinpoints, "The main reason to write a collection development policy is to prevent the library from being driven by events or by individual enthusiasms and from purchasing a random set of resources, which may not support the mission of the library."  Now, this "taking yourself out of the equation" is a difficult task - but, it is imperative to remember you are actually working for the public in a public library.  Without the taxpayers money, there would be no acquisitions!  Secondly, separating the "topics" makes it more of an issue than just intermingling into the regular collection - 1 reason I say this is because many people wouldn't even notice the "topic" unless there is undue attention.  Granted, not all library patrons might like these topics, but, that is why a trained professional is supposed to do collection development.  Thirdly, why should a middle-class, white librarian decide what is "right" and what is "wrong."  Just because a library collection development person might not like a certain life style, race, religion or way of life doesn't give me the right to "null-and-void" a collection.  Thus, isn't a card catalog available to "search" for items & topics - so, why should there be a special display!?!

I had to "re-catalog" an entire small library in 2005 & it isn't very much fun!  The closed-minded lady I took over for had cataloged books into topics such as "red" labels for mystery, "green" labels for adventure, "pink" for family ... etc etc.  Let me just say, having an author in 4 different "locations" is preposterous!

I think all library users deserve the right to "anonymity" & that is taken away if a "special" section is declared - wouldn't it be obvious who was looking @ GBLTQ books when they walked by this area ... ??

The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton (YA LIT)

 S.E. Hinton, a young lady writes this powerful book in the 1960's relaying  her observations through the "Greaser" and "Soc" characters.  Hinton's publisher believed she needed to use initials because her being female might warrant others to ignore the book.  Thus, the public would assume S.E. could have easily been one of the "tough" guys from the tales pages. 
Excitement, controversy, fast-pacing, and sympathy encourage readers along the pages of this endearing story!
When I began to do my student teaching (after 10 years & raising 3 children) I was asked to instruct this book to 7th graders at the local middle school.  I was none too pleased about this endeavor - 1 reason being I thought the contents were "too" old for the 13 year olds I would soon come in contact with at the junior high.  Thus, I went in with the wrong attitude, but was pleasantly surprised when these pupils couldn't wait to read more.  As I read out loud, I would "skip" or "bleep" the cuss words, but, the kids would still giggle because they held their own copy!  Every day, they would beg me to keep reading, telling me their lives would be horrible if I quit at that spot -- things an English Major LOVE TO HEAR!!! (many of the kids took the book home & finished early)

A topic we discussed at length was the different "groups" of kids at school, these students were amazing at naming the different economical groups, athletically talented groups, "nerdy" groups, musical groups, etc.  They named groups I had never even considered & it was interesting to hear what they thought of these said groups.  I have to say, this helped me to grow up a little - they didn't like the "judging-ness" behind the terms, and almost 100% of the students said this was ridiculous & that they would be friends with any one in their class regardless of activities & $$$$ 

At the end of the book ... I allowed the students to use a silver sharpie and write words/draw graffiti on a black foam board to illustrate the differences in society and the differences of language from the time period of The Outsiders versus modern day (1 board for modern times and 1 for the past).   It was a fun way to end the book and the kids loved coming up with the terms.  The boards were displayed for the next several weeks and the other classes of students were jealous they didn't get to take part in the fun! :)

Other books to consider ...

Misfits by James Howe

Summer to Die by Lois Lowry

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

Week 13 Prompt ... YA, Graphic, Urban

 

 

 

Young Adult Fiction, Graphic Novels and Urban Fiction are spectacular genres!  Why wouldn't someone love to read these areas?  Well, I'd throw out the idea that maybe the person is just plain BORING!  I've always suggested people read YA - great books, quick reads, and an ever-growing fascinating base - & super movies evolve from this genre too - best of both worlds! :)

 

Even though I've only read a hand-full of Graphic Novels and none from the Urban Fiction area I'm interested in exploring both - but, I've loved YA for 20 years.

 

Every day I see a new adult scanning the Graphic Novels - with several adults perusing this section MULTIPLE times a week!  What a blessing to see adults trying something new and enjoying the art in these selections.

 

Sadly, being in a smaller community the "call" for Urban Fiction has been minimal, but I have noticed a climb in this arena.  I'd love to read some of these, but, will have to Interlibrary Loan the items I'm interested in ... not LOTS to pick from!

 

Thus, I will ensure people try all three of these areas, yes, they are "worthy" of the "trouble" & just showing enthusiasm when discussing with patrons will further benefit the likeliness these genres receive the attention they deserve!

 

 

 

 

Week 12 Prompt ... Nonfiction

Where the Locals Go: More than 300 places around the world to Eat, Play, Shop, Celebrate, and Relax

Compiled by the National Geographic Travel Team

Narrative Context:  The beautiful photographs of the destinations make this Non Fiction read feel fun instead of too fact based

Subject:  Joy of traveling and what delicacies to sample; food

Type:  Travel; Guidebook

Pacing:  This is a fast, leisurely read with pictures to entice the reader to learn more and more about the type of food and the location.

Characterization:  This is very interesting because the reader can feel like they are traveling the globe along with the National Geographic Travel Team.

Story Line:  Where the Locals Go tells a story and teaches at the same time.  Not only can you learn about "A Taste of Vanilla" from Papantla, Mexico you can learn how the people learned about curing the pod in the sun.

Detail:  The images are so beautiful you can't help but want to read every word.  It is even better than watching a National Geographic Movie ... the brightness just draws you into the book!

Learning/Experiencing:  Every reader will find a place they would enjoy traveling.  Different sections of the book highlight different interests; fashion; food; music; rushing the rapids; sports; etc.

Language:  The sharp, well-written style has enough information to make it interesting, but, not so much data to bore the reader.

Setting:  The entire world ... the bright and beautiful book will lead travel lovers to new adventures!

Tone:  The light, fun tone this book takes will make anyone and everyone want to travel!  Who wouldn't want to know about the Cafe Culture in Poland?

National Geographic hit the nail on the head with this authentic, immersive experience of numerous cultures!  This book is like opening an art gallery, restaurant and about every imaginable sporting event across the globe!