Week 15 Prompt

Here are some ways that I think work really well to market a library's fiction collection:

1: Displays-I don't think we can underestimate the power of a good display. My library has a display that is right by the main circulation desk. This display reminds me of the strategically placed candy shelves that line the checkout aisle and the grocery store. Both do an excellent job of making a person grab just one more thing before they leave.

2: Book Clubs- I think book clubs are a great way to market a library's fiction collection and grow new readers, especially book clubs that meet away from the library at breweries or coffee shops. Book clubs that have some special hook are effective at grabbing people's interest and can be unique to each library. For example, at my library the adult services staff are going to start a new book club called "Souper Readers" or something similar. Anyway, the idea is that at each book club meeting they will have some soup to snack on while they chat about the chosen book.

3: Book toks or Short Videos-I think we've all seen the power that tik tok booktok videos have had in bringing attention to books that were getting musty on library shelves, Colleen Hoover anyone? This isn't something my library currently does, but I do think its a great way to promote books and highlight titles in a library's collection. It's also a great way for library staff to share some of their favorites and connect with the library community. 

Week 14 Prompt

My first thought about the hypothetical question of separating out books that are LGBTQ fiction and Urban Fiction from the general collection and placing them in their own special area is a knee jerk reaction/response of "no." Here are my reasons for saying no to this:

1. I don't like the idea of "othering" books and making them separate from the rest of the library collection. I'm a bigger fan of making sure that a fiction collection is diverse and representative of everyone. I'm also a fan of making the library online catalogs easier to use, that way people are more likely to find the titles they want to read. 
2. With the rise in book challenges and especially of LGBTQIA+ titles, I think separating out the books would put a bigger target on them.
3. I'm just not a big fan of separating books out into genres. I think it takes away from people finding books that they would enjoy but would not come across if the books were shelved in separate areas. 

This question reminds me a little of the debate about putting genre stickers on library materials. I've worked at libraries that have the genre stickers and use them to separate out books into separate shelving locations and I've worked at libraries that have no genre stickers and shelve all genres together. The first library I mentioned eventually did away with shelving their book genres separately but decided to keep the genre stickers and shelve all the books together. This was seen as a way to make both groups of library users happy, the ones who liked the ease of the genre stickers and those that found the whole system confusing, especially when an author would write in more than one genre and then be shelved in two separate locations. 

This example is all to say that I think the answer to this question depends on the library community and its library users. 

Week 13 Prompt

As a librarian I firmly believe that people should read books they enjoy, regardless of genre. I've spent a lot of my time as a librarian in a youth services setting, and I'm here to tell you, more adults should try picking up a picture book. These books are full of rich storylines and engaging artwork. 

Speaking to the topic of adults who read young adult books and/or graphic novels, I think it falls in line with the purpose of a library for librarians to get books in the hands of people who want to read said books. I don't think there should be any stigma on any genres people want to read. I've often thought it would be fun to create a book club for adults, but have it be one where we only read young adult materials, or even only picture books. 

There are quite a few authors of young adult books where the characters of the original series have aged up into adulthood, causing librarians quite a headache when it comes to deciding where the series should live. These books and series would make for an interesting display. At my library we regularly create displays on various subjects that include books from the children's, teen and adult collections. This display is located near the circulation desk, so there's ample opportunity for something to catch the interest of a library patron, regardless of their age. 

Nonfiction Annotation

 

Author: Richard Ovenden

Title: Burning the books, a history of the deliberate destruction of knowledge

Genre: Nonfiction

Publication Date: 2020

Number of Pages: 320

Geographical Setting: All over the world

Time Period: various points in history, leading up to more present day times

Series (If applicable): n/a

Plot Summary:

This is a historical account of the destruction libraries and archives have faced throughout history. The author connects historical events and the destruction of knowledge and shows the ways in which literature and learning have managed to survive against seemingly insurmountable odds. The book begins with an introduction to the topic that starts with a picture of the Nazis burning books in 1933. A chilling and eye-opening way to begin that sets the tone for the rest of the book. There are black and white images spread throughout the book, with each chapter beginning with an image that is related to the chapter’s topics. Letters, quotes, and journal entries are also included throughout the story to provide insight into the historical events. What follows are detailed accounts of how and why knowledge has been destroyed throughout various points in time and in a wide variety of locations from around the world.

The story is conversational in tone, making it very readable and approachable and not just a dry accounting of history. With a descriptive use of language, using words like “swooned over” this story reads like a love letter to the history of books, learning and libraries.

Wyatt defines nonfiction as one that is broken into two categories “task books and non-task books” (2007, p.2). Taks books are those that guide the reader to accomplish some function and non-task books are ones books for pleasure, learning, recreation, exploration and escape (Wyatt, 2007, p.2).  Burning the Books would fall into the latter category of non-task book as it is a story that people read to learn and explore a topic.

 

Subject Headings:

• Censorship History
• Archive History
• Book Burning History

Appeal:

Here are some words from one of our readings called “The Secret Language of Books, a Guide to Appeal” that I would use to describe the appeal of this book (Novelist, 2018).

• Compelling
• Descriptive
• Easy to Understand

3 terms that best describe this book:

• Engaging
• Richly Detailed
• Well Researched

3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors

 

 Author: Wayne A. Wiegand

Book: Part of our Lives, a People’s History of the American Public Library

 

Author: James Raven

Book: The Oxford Illustrated History of the Book

 

Author: William Marx

Book: The Hatred of Literature

 

 

3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors

Author: Marie Bendedict

Book: The Personal Librarian

 

Author: Pip Williams

Book: The Dictionary of Lost Words

 

Author: Madeline Martin

Book: The Last Bookshop in London

Week 11 Prompt

 

Burning the books, a history of the deliberate destruction of knowledge written by Richard Ovenden, 2020

1. Where is the book on the narrative continuum? a mix

2. What is the subject of the book? The destruction of knowledge in libraries and archives from ancient up to contemporary times. 

3. What type of book is it? History/nonfiction

4. Articulate appeal:

• What is the pacing of the book? Leisurely paced but it also isn't a story that feels like a slow and  quiet read, due in part to the vivid descriptions of the destruction of libraries and archives. 

• How does the story feel? Moving, Reflective, Thought Provoking, Hopeful

• What is the intent of the author? To provide a history of how libraries and archives have been destroyed throughout history. 

• What is the focus of the story? Early historical accounts of the destruction of libraries and archives and then moving forward in time with additional stories and examples. 

•  Does the language matter? Yes, the story is in a conversational tone, making it easy to follow along with the historical accounts. The author uses descriptive phrases like "swooned over" which makes the story read like a love letter to the history of books, libraries and learning. 

• Is the setting important and well described? Yes, the author does a great job of describing the context and setting of where the destruction of knowledge took place. 

• Are there details and, if so, of what? Yes, each chapter focuses on a different point in history and explains the who, what, when and why the destruction took place. 

• Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials? Are they useful and clear? Yes, there are black and white images spread throughout the book, with each chapter beginning with an image that is related to the chapter’s topics. Letters, quotes, and journal entries are also included throughout the story to provide insight into the historical events. 

•  Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience? Yes, the author frames each occurrence of destruction within a historical and cultural context. The author connects these past events with more current concerns of our time, discussing the rise of technology companies, the role of libraries, and the history of early libraries and how library collections have evolved to present day.

 5. Why would a reader enjoy this book (rank appeal). This book would appeal to anyone who values the written word and learning and is concerned about efforts to destroy and ban books. 

1. Compelling
2. Detailed
3. Easy to Understand

Historical Fiction Annotation

Author: Charlotte Bronte

Title: Jane Eyre

Genre: Historical Fiction, classic literature

Publication Date: has been republished many times, original publication date is 1847, the version I have was published in 2006

Number of Pages: this also varies depending on the republication version, but the version I have is 576 pages

Geographical Setting: Northern England

Time Period: early 1800’s, although the book never says specifically, but based on the year the book was published and the plot of the book, this is a safe bet.

Series (If applicable): n/a

 

Plot Summary:

This is a story of one person’s search for a place they can be their true self, a place to call home and the search for someone to share life’s journey with.

Jane Eyre tells the story of an orphan named Jane who goes to live with her aunt, uncle and cousins after her father dies. Janes relatives are not particularly welcoming to this new addition to their household. Jane faces many trials and tribulations with this new family, which ends with her being sent to a school for girls. At this school Jane’s life does not improve and one could argue becomes worse, but she does make her first true friend. When Jane comes of age she teaches at this school and begins looking for a governess position. She finds a job at Thornfield Hall. With this new position Jane faces challenges that test her closely held views of herself and the kind of life she wants to live. Jane finds love, loses love, and ultimately triumphs and carves out a life for herself.

 Our textbook Wyatt and Saricks define the historical fiction genre as one that “transports readers to the past, thereby letting them witness what has transpired in our global family time line” (2019, p.169). While Jane Eyre wouldn’t have been considered historical fiction at the time of its original publication in 1847, in our present time of 2023, the title now fits the description. From the book we get a glimpse into the challenges that women from that time frame would have faced and the limited choices they had if they were not born into a wealthy family.

 

Subject Headings:

• England Social Life and Customs
• Governess Fiction
• Classical Novel
• Love Stories

Appeal:

Here are some words from one of our readings called “The Secret Language of Books, a Guide to Appeal” that I would use to describe the appeal of this book (Novelist, 2018).

• Compelling
• Descriptive
• Atmospheric

 3 terms that best describe this book:

• Character driven
• Slow burn
• Strong female characters

 

3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors

 

Author: Lucasta Miller

Book: The Bronte Myth

This book tells the story of the Bronte sisters and how their personal stories have been distorted throughout history.

 

Author: Mary Wollstonecraft

Book: Vindication of the Rights of Women

At the time of its original publication in  1792, this book was considered to be scandalous because of its arguments for women’s rights.

 

Author: Claire Harman

Book: Charlotte Bronte A Fiery Heart

This book tells the story of Charlotte Bronte and how her life shaped the books that made her live on long after she was gone.

 

 3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors

Author: Jane Austen

Book: Pride and Prejudice

This book also focuses on a strong female character and her journey to carving out a life for herself in a time where marriage is one of the few options.

 

Author: Louisa May Alcott

Book: Little Women

This book focuses on the story of a group of strong women and the choices they make to carve out lives for themselves in a society where choices are few.

 

Author: Emily Bronte

Book: Wuthering Heights

This book focuses on a strong female main character, the limited choices she has during the time period she lives in and what she sacrifices for love.

Week 11 Prompt-Ebooks/Audio Books

 As an avid reader a library user I wasn't a big fan of e-books when they first started gaining in popularity and availability. I thought that a part of the reading experience was the touch and feel of a book and the smell. I think many of us have gone into a used bookshop and the physical smell of books is something unique in and of itself. That added to the fact that the early e-readers were not the most user friendly added to my dislike of e-books. Does anyone remember the Kobo and the early Kindle paperwhites? Those things were clunky and confusing devices to use. 

My opinion of e-books started to shift when I took the plunge and ordered a Kindle Fire. The device was very easy to use, and I loved the fact that I didn't have to remember to return an e-book like with a regular library book. I also liked being able to change up the font sizes and page colors. The look and feel of e-books is not the same as a physical book, but I think the convenience factors outweigh these deficits. For library patrons e-books are fantastic for readers who need large print. This group has a whole new world of books available at their fingertips.

I've never really gotten into audio books, e otherwise. I think I've just had a few narrators who were duds and then just never tried out any other options. I remember the days of audio books being cases that included a thick stack of discs. Then the format shifted to mp3 player style, which was more portable and user friendly. I work in a youth services department, and we have an audio book collection of these mp3 style books, but we've been shifting more resources towards ordering e-audio books. With a vast majority of people having smart phones, it's easier than ever for people to download a library app and have access to a large variety of e-audio content. I don't think touch and feel play as large a role with audio books, it's more about a format that is user friendly and accessible. 

I think library e-book consortiums play a large role in how popular e-content can be with a community. If a library is part of a larger consortium, chances are their patrons will have access to the content they're looking for. Within the past year or so my library joined a much larger e-content consortium and we've seen our circulation stats for e-content go up. Sharing resources and content is a win, win for libraries and their patrons.