Illinois - Readers Advisory

Fairytales for grownups

2009-11-13T15:44:35Z

With a great list from fiction_l in hand, we created this display called Fairytales for Grownups! This display lends itself to a myriad of props. We used fairy wings, a homemade princess hat, tiny glass slippers and magic wands. Interesting display that has captured the imagination of our readers!

RE: Library Displays

2008-11-14T20:48:22Z

Definitely wins a prize! Not only did you make it easier for others to now pull this display together at their library, but you spent just $1.50 on supplies!

I'm always excited to see how circ stats increase as a result of these topic targeted displays...you can use the stats to demonstrate the value of displays.

Thanks Carol!

RE: Library Displays

2009-10-14T20:06:36Z

Here's our latest display with a look for Halloween. A witch and a bunch of scary books is all it took to make this quick display.

RE: Literary Gifts

2009-08-20T09:12:47Z

A website has just been launched which specialises in literary gifts:
The Literary Gift Company
It has everything from bags, mugs, jewellery, confetti, toys and even literary perfume!
Thanks
Dani

RE: high school appropriate memoirs

2009-07-17T15:06:17Z

Here is a list that our 8th graders have used in the past. Some may be a bit young, but many come from our YA and adult section.

RE: high school appropriate memoirs

2009-07-17T13:04:34Z

This list is not strictly memoir or bio but does have some titles that might fit your needs. In addition I know we have a list at our library. I'll post that later.

Teen Reads

Teen Reads is a website that provides info for teens about their favorite authors, books, series and characters.

Quoted from the site:

"Teenreads.com is THE place online for teens to talk about their fave books --- and find the hippest new titles!"
Carol Fitzgerald
Founder/President
Carol@bookreporter.com

Author Podcasts

2009-07-13T22:19:04Z

I've been having lots of fun recently listening to author podcasts. Besides some that I've found on The BookExpo America site, a recent find was Library LoveFest, Authors Air. There is an excellent interview with Val McDermid by Virginia Stanley, Director of Library Marketing at HarperCollins. Ms. McDermid discusses her latest standalone thriller Darker Domain, a psychological thriller as well as being a historical mystery that blends fact and fiction in telling the story of the National Miners Strike. In her own words Val states that she loves how the past casts a long shadow, that things often have their roots way back in history. Darker Domain's roots lie in 1984 in the time of The National Miners Strike. Taking place in Fife, Mick Prentice disappears during the strike. Twenty-two years later his daughter, Misha, enlists the help of Detective Inspector Karen Pirie in reopening this cold case. A second story-line follows the kidnapping of Katrina and her son Adam, the daughter and grandson, respectively, of Sir Broderick Maclennan Grant, a wealthy businessman. Annabel Richmond, a freelance journalist, uncovers new evidence in this case. You wonder how these two storylines will merge, but bet they will. Besides a great deal of background about this book McDermid talks about her 3 ongoing series, where her ideas come from, family, libraries, etc. Where the interview shines is when she talks about crafting a novel, be it mystery or thriller. Any aspiring writer could learn something here. Her warm sense of humor also is evident. I've read some of Val McDermid's novels and will add Darker Domain to my summer reading list.

There are lots of other author interviews on the site. I've downloaded two others, Mary Kay Andrews and Charles Todd. If they are even half as good as the first, I'm in for a treat.

Do you have any favorite sites for author podcasts or book talking in general?

RE: Author Podcasts- Ingram Library Services

2009-07-17T12:28:46Z

Ingram Library Services] is offering some great interviews with authors.

Quoted from their website
"interviews with today's top authors and other relevant industry content. Best of all, content on interact is available for your use—feel free to link to or download any of the great interviews and add to your own Web site. Check back often for new podcasts."

I listened to Lisa Gardner talk about her new book Neighbor this morning while dusting. Very entertaining and of course, I wanted to read the book. It's checked out at my library so I'll breathlessly await its' return!

RE: Library Displays

2009-07-13T21:03:58Z

It's been awhile since I've posted any pics to this topic. I've been waiting for YOU, the reader to share your photos of book displays. Finally, a library in my own state sent this picture of a summer reading display.

It looks fairly simple and inexpesensive, using a few props, palm trees and flamingos. I particularly like that they used the top of a book shelf for this colorful display.

Thanks to Maryanee and Luci of The Tolland Public Library, Connecticut for sharing their summer reading book display!<p><br>

high school appropriate memoirs

2009-06-22T03:26:33Z

I am trying to compile a list of memoirs appropriate for high school readers...honors students

RE: Re: OCLC Fiction Finder

2009-02-24T21:54:32Z

I'm interested if Fiction Finder is established on FAST? Second question - is there any catalog using POPSI indexing schema?

RE: Literary Gifts-Book Lover's Chocolate

2009-01-27T16:17:03Z

Here's a bookish kind of gift right in time for Valentine's Day

BridgeBrand Chocolates

Located in Sanfrancisco, CA, BridgeBrand Chocolates is the maker of "gourmet-quality, superbly packaged chocolate".

RE: RA Wikis

2009-01-21T03:02:34Z

We started an RA wiki as part of a training class in Iowa and it has really flourished with people from all over adding to it. It is called Iread and can be found at iread.pbwiki.com. [Password to add to the lists = readers]

It is a collection of reading lists for all ages and reading tastes. It is still lacking in a few areas and we hope that many more people will add to it!

RA Wikis

2008-11-06T14:12:42Z

Here's a couple of RA wikis that you will lead you to some interesting resources:

http://nonfictionresources.pbwiki.com/

Maureen O'Connor
WordsWorthy
Connecting Books and Readers
maureen@wordsworthy.com

it includes
links to narrative nonfiction booklists and resources on the net as well as professional resources and reading paths. A good place to start for some nonfiction help.

http://ra2point0.pbwiki.com/ ]
This wiki was started from the workshop, "RA 2.0," , presented by Laura Calderone, Sarah Statz Cords, Diana Tixier Herald, and Cindy Orr at the California Library Association conference on October 25, 2007. It purpose is to provide traditional reader's advisory services using 2.0 web and social tools.

Using the sidebar you'll find the original workshop, Ra @.0 tools, wiki tips, blog tips, genre tips, and other readings.

As with most wikis, you are invited to add content.

Positively Good Reads

2009-01-15T19:07:08Z

Marianne Goss sent me this link to a list she created of positively good reads. This type of book is requested frequently so I'm certain this list will be used again and again.

Positively Good Reads

Thanks Marianne!

Firefighter / Fire Display

2009-01-09T15:34:01Z

Here's some pictures of our latest display. It's a tribute to the men and women who fight fires. The display includes books about the various types of firefighters, fire equipment and stories where fire plays a major role. Both fiction and non-fiction are included.

Props include cut out flames created by our Children's Librarian, Megan (who says she can do crafts, and cut flames, but computers stump her), and a fire hat and alarm from her partner's fire department.

If I do say so myself, it's smokin'!

RE: READERS ADVISORY TOOLS FOR ADULT READERS:

2008-12-23T23:40:25Z

There's no other place to put this, so I should mention that there is currently (Dec. 23, 2008) a discussion on "best computer books" at www.slashdot.org.

Slashdot is composed of programmers, computer system administrators, assorted geeks and (on very rare occasions) people like me. I read it to see what's happening in the "technology world" (broadly interpreted).

I *had* to post that as I librarian I was interested in the answers. There's a nice discussion, something you don't see in reviews.

RE: Literary Gifts

2008-12-05T18:20:38Z

Each year I purchase The Book Lover's Calendar for our library. I place it out at our circulation desk. This one book a day calendar, Page-A-Day by Workman gives patrons something to look at if they need to wait to check out their materials. I have also given it as a gift to my bookie friends. I usually try to find it at a buy one get one free deal and love that you can register at their website and get an additional free online calendar for the year.

Literary Gifts

2008-12-05T18:15:48Z

Looking for that perfect gift for book lovers...

Take a look at "Gift Guide for Library and Book Lovers" compiled by Jackie Siminitus.

If you have any additions you can reach Jackie through her blog at
http://advocate4libraries.blogspot.com/

Readers' Advisory Signs

2008-11-14T13:15:57Z

Dr. Sarah Lewis Heuertz of the Lewis & Clark Library System, IL shares this website with links to a variety of pdf. signs to use for displays, endcaps, or other publicity. All that is asked is that you leave their developer statement. Busy librarians will appreciate the all that is shared, Crazy Quilts, Jane Austen, A Fair to Remember. Just click on the link when you need a sign, a catchy title and even inspiration for a theme. Thank you!

Readers' Advisory Signs or
http://www.lcls.org/News.aspx?ID=190