Programming
My time working at Village Books taught me much about building a community of readers. There I wrote book reviews for their quarterly newsletter, managed my own Staff Picks shelf, and assisted in programming that brought author speaking events to the store almost daily. When I later worked at Western Washington University in the Reference department I served on the Book of the Quarter committee which allowed me to select titles, arrange events, and lead discussions. Through the UWB/CC library's Recreational Reading committee I was charged with bringing books into student, staff, and faculty hands for the sole purpose of pleasure reading. While serving on this committee I spearheaded efforts to introduce staff picks and reviews in order to promote the collection, and I continue to avidly write reviews.
Written Advisory
In this list of Reading Hooks I have used what Nancy Pearl refers to as the "4 Doorways" into reading (Story, Character, Setting, Language). Different categories or hooks are provided under each doorway with a selection of titles or authors falling under each. Starting a repository of related titles in order to better recommend selections to the interested reader has proved useful as it aids in conversing with patrons and helping them select their next pick.
In this fictional "Reader's Shelf Column" titled Our Furry Beasts, I drew from fiction and nonfiction to build connections in the dog literature genre while clearly articulating the basic content and style of each resource. This “column” could be used to base a book list, display, or book-talk to further promote library collections.
While the Reader's Shelf Column seeks to bring resources of a certain subject or genre together, I also prepared an annotation, review, book talk, and discussion questions for a single title, Barbara Kingsolver's The Lacuna. This coursework has complemented the recreational reading advocacy I have been involved with in academic libraries, but also prepares me for advocacy in public librarianship.
While the Reader's Shelf Column seeks to bring resources of a certain subject or genre together, I also prepared an annotation, review, book talk, and discussion questions for a single title, Barbara Kingsolver's The Lacuna. This coursework has complemented the recreational reading advocacy I have been involved with in academic libraries, but also prepares me for advocacy in public librarianship.
Advocacy through Displays
Although the “Blind Date with a Book” display idea spread like wild fire a few years ago, a colleague and I inserted our own creative impulses to promote use, engagement and feedback with a specific collection. We have witnessed people having their photographs taken next to it, squealing with delight, and carefully reading the "personal ads" written on each disguised book before selecting one to bring home with them. Each year the majority of the books have circulated. Each year we get a little more creative and daring with the display. The valentines adorning the 2016 display, for example, had messages written by students about self-love, respecting all kinds of love, and rejecting heteronormativity. In an academic library it has been rewarding to work on a project demonstrating that library resources can be personally fulfilling as well as research oriented. This advocacy work is something I am excited to continue in any library setting.
Future Plans & Goals
I want to continue advising, advocating, and programming in some capacity, regardless of the kind of library I work in. I believe these activities create a more joyful place for our patrons, including me! In terms of advisory, I am keenly interested in continuing to familiarize myself with different genres and plan to cultivate habits that encourage me to categorize and write about what I read. I am also currently working with the Campus Library's Equity, Diversity and Social Justice team to begin a Community Reads program on campus.