Prompt # 10

Books have definitely changed since I was a child. E-books are taking over printed materials in terms of popularity and convenience. We are also seeing may people using audiobooks or reading graphic novels. When I was a kid I remember using audiobooks in school, but I definitely do not recall children checking out audios at the library. I feel like comics and graphic novels were somewhat popular years ago, but now I see kids checking out graphic novels at a consistent basis. I wonder if my library even had a graphic novel section 20 years ago. I may have to look into that.

The act of reading has definitely changed throughout the years. I feel like our society is so fast paced now-a-days. Allison Hiltz stated in an article that, “But today, our attention spans are not what they once were – the world moves at a much faster pace and more information is available to us in a wider range of formats than ever before.  Whilst once books took time to produce and time to read, today a Kindle version of most books is available in a few seconds at the click of a button – it’s instant literary gratification.  In the past, books were more rare and prized; medieval manuscripts and leather bound classic tomes graced the bookshelves of the wealthy, and people had access to books only at schools, or borrowed novels from friends or their library rather than purchasing a copy themselves.  Today’s readers are just as likely to get their fix online or on their Kindle rather than heading to the local bookstore.” http://www.thebookwheelblog.com/we-all-know-the-benefits-of-reading/.

I think “instant literary gratification” is a great term to describe the future of books, reading, and publishing. In 20 years reading will be much more interactive. Although, I do think that traditional publishing will be around at some capacity. There are still many people who prefer to read the physical copy of a book, (including myself).

Overall, I just feel like the general public has no idea where we as a society will be in terms of technology in the next couple of decades. The rate at which technology has been evolving is staggering. I think in 20 years“the knowledge and skills embedded in our brains will be combined with the vastly greater capacity, speed, and knowledge-sharing ability of our own creations.” (Kurzweil)

Thanks for reading!

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Prompt #9

There are obviously many ways that libraries can market their fiction collection, but some ways may be more effective than others. I think one display technique could have an effect on circulation and would also be fun for patrons to look at. These different charts that separate books by theme, time period, etc. being displayed around library could be a fun tactic. There are also charts that ask you questions and will eventually lead you to a book recommendation.I see these on pinterest quite often and I can not help but follow the questions and see what book I end up with. (examples below)

Another technique that has proven to be effective is having a section on the shelves dedicated to Staff Picks. Everyone on staff picks a fiction novel that they would recommend and puts it on the shelf above their name tag. Once their book is checked out they will pick another recommendation and put it on the shelf. I seem to notice that patrons take the time to look at these recommendations and quite often check them out. This also makes a fun little competition among staff to see who can have the most of their picks checked out.

Another technique that I feel like some libraries are not using much to market fiction or their collection in general is social media. If there is a popular book that has come out or one that a librarian thinks patrons would enjoy, it should be marketed online. The library or librarians having blogs and posting annotations or recommendations like we have been doing all semester would probably prove to be effective.

Prompt #8

Obviously I have heard of books being separated by genre but I can honestly say that this is the first time I have heard about African American and LGBT fiction being separated from the general collection. Once I think about it I can see how the decision to separate them or not separate them is different in many libraries. In the logical sense, if the books were separated from the general collection it would be easier to locate them if a patron was looking for a novel on that specific topic, but I do not see this separation of the books to be taken lightly by library users or the community as a whole. So one reason for not separating these books would be community response.

Another reason why I do not think that LGBT and African American books should be separated is because  they are not considered different genres. I would find it abnormal to have your library’s fiction sectioned off into mystery, romance , and then LGBT and African American. It just wouldn’t seem right. I honestly think that there is the chance that separating these books would hurt their circulation. Since the books were meant for the general public they need to stay in the general collection.

I also think that this separation would bring about the issue of segregation. In regards to where I currently work I think many patrons would think “really?” or “Why?”. I think it would just bring unneeded attention to the library.

There is an article written by author N.K. Jemisin on his website about how he found out that one of his books was on a library’s African American Fiction shelf. This is his opinion about the whole ordeal. “I hate the “African American Fiction” section. HATE. IT. I hate that it exists. I hate that it was ever deemed necessary. I hate why it was deemed necessary, and I don’t agree that it is. I hated it as a reader, long before I ever got published. And now that I’m a writer, I don’t ever want to see my books there — unless a venue has multiple copies and they’re also in the Fantasy or General Fiction section. ” The rest of the article is rather interesting if you want to know more about his view on separating AFF books from General Fiction. Here is the link:

http://nkjemisin.com/2010/05/dont-put-my-book-in-the-african-american-section/

Thanks for reading!

 

Prompt #7

Since I have started this graduate program roughly a year and a half ago, I feel like it has been stressed by many that librarians need to be unbiased in patrons’ selections of materials. If an adult requests a graphic novel that is aimed towards children or teens who are we to say that adults  should not read that stuff?! It is our duty as librarians to be impartial.

ALA Code of Ethics Article III: We protect each library user’s right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted

Article VII:We distinguish between our personal convictions and professional duties and do not allow our personal beliefs to interfere with fair representation of the aims of our institutions or the provision of access to their information resources.

I think that that these two articles make it clear that the common belief that adults should not be reading young adult or graphic novels absurd and also ignores our own ALA’s Code of Ethics.

One way to ensure that we can serve adults who like YA and Graphic novels is by recommending them to patrons or maybe using some type of creative display.

The storytelling formats of YA and Graphic novels can be compelling and unique in their own ways. The combination of artwork and words can be fascinating and the more simplistic way of writing by YA authors may be a nice change up for an adult too. There are many appeal factors of these two genres that adults may admire.

Overall, no matter what happens during Reader Advisory or a Reference Interview, a librarian should not think twice about what kind of material the patron is requesting. It is not our place to tell library users what they should and should not be reading.

 

 

Annotation #5- Young Adult

The Compound by S.A. Bodeen

Synopsis: Following a massive nuclear holocaust, a boy named Eli and his wealthy family hurry to an underground safe-house (aka the Compound) that his father created. Day by day goes by and the family sadly realizes that they have been stuck in this life supporting compound for six years. They become accustomed to their new life realizing that the outside world is gone and everyone they ever knew ceased to exist. Eli’s father tells them that they have 8 more years in the compound before the radiation levels drop low enough to where it is safe to go outside.   They have trusted their father, but now he is behaving strangely. Eli believes that his father created the entire scenario as some kind of sick hoax, right down to cloning and creating human babies, which are known as The Supplements, who might actually be needed someday as a food supply. Repulsed and frightened, Eli teams with his sisters, his mother, and The Supplements in a race to discover what is really going on, what happened that fateful night, and how to escape the manipulative madman who seemingly has them trapped.

Appeals: This young adult novel is a quick read and keeps the reader wanting to know what happens next. The story can be seen as a thriller and also a suspense as the author involves clues for the characters, as well as readers, to try to figure out what exactly is going on and what will happen next. The Compound has a neat and somewhat original premise which makes it a perfect selection for young adults.

Genre: Thriller/Suspense/Apocalyptic

Publication Date: September 1st, 2009

Pages: 272

Characteristics: 

• The story starts a little slow then becomes tense as it reaches its climax
• Themes include nuclear war, survival, and deception.
• There is a decent amount of foreshadowing which may allow the reader to predict certain happenings.
• Not a whole lot of character development as the story moves at a rather quick pace.

Read-a-Likes:

• Days Like This by Alison Stewart
• The Maze Runner by James Dashner
• The Giver by Lois Lowry
• Enclave by Ann Aguirre
• The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Prompt #6

Killing Jesus by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard

1) What is the book on the narrative continuum?– The book is highly narrative and reads like a fiction novel. There are footnotes throughout the book that contain historical facts.

2) What is the subject of the book?- The events that took place during the life of Jesus of Nazareth.

3) What type of book is it? – A narrative that is centered around the life of Jesus and the events leading up to his death.

4) Articulate Appeal

What is the pacing of the book?- It is a quick read as it reads like a fiction novel.

Describe the characters in the book?– There are many historical figures that are mentioned throughout the book including Jesus. There are not in-depth descriptions of the the figures’ lives but we do acquire enough information about them in order to understand how they played a part in the events leading up to Jesus’s death.

How does the story feel?– Well-researched, eye-opening, detailed, “non-religious”

What is the intent of the author?- to take readers  inside Jesus’s life, recounting the  political and historical events that made his death inevitable.

What is the focus of the story?– The different events and people who ultimately played a role in the life of Jesus and the events leading up to his death.

Does the language matter?– Yes.

Is the setting important and well described?- The setting does not seem very important to the authors as it is not well described. The reader is told of a place and time period of when an event is happening but there is not much description about the various locations mentioned in the book. The main focus is the action of the different historical figures.

  Are there details? And if so, of what?- There is much detail in this book about how certain events led to a chain reaction resulting in Jesus’s death. There are many footnotes that further describe certain places, figures, and events.

Are their sufficient charts and other graphic materials? – Yes. The book includes maps that depict certain regions and battles. There are also pictures and works of art that further illustrate what is taking place.

Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience?– The book does stress learning and understanding. There is much detail that goes along with the story that the author is telling. Readers will understand and learn about what was taking place and how these events led to the death of Christ.

5) Why would a reader enjoy this book?(Ranking)

                               1. Reads like a novel.

2. Not overloaded with facts.

                               3. Tone

                               4. Subject