Week 2

The video Teen RA Interview could have been a instruction video on how to approach a customer in a retail situation.  The only thing missing was leading the patron to the check out kiosk to ring up the sale.  The librarian approaches the patron and starts with a general question.  When he sees that she is willing to engage he begins to ask questions that grow more specific.  Based on her responses, he makes a few suggestions by pulling out the book and telling her a bit about the book.  He demonstrates that he knows his "stock."  He was helpful without hovering.  He approached without being overbearing. And, when his task was clearly done, he left without hovering. 

I found the contrast between the two libraries Reader Advisory pages interesting.  The two different pages indicate that the online questionnaire can be brief or detailed.  I was drawn to the simplicity and brevity of the West Bloomfield Township Public Library.  One reason is that I want to be surprised by suggestions.  I found the online service interesting because of its anonymity and the fact that it can be filled out and received when the library is not open.  

I think recommending titles is a challenge.  While it is less work for the patron, I think it would be more difficult to make suggestions without a clearer sense of reading history.  West Bloomfield only requires one title for favorite author and one title for book enjoyed.  I think it would be very easy to suggest titles that the reader has already read.  However, it does help to have the reader check the boxes that describe what kind of material the reader wants.  

Williamsburg Regional Library requests considerably more detail.  I am certain more questions could be asked, so it is not exhaustive, but I was nearly exhausted by looking at all that I would have to fill out.  However, since the librarian does not have the luxury of asking quick follow up questions or sensing mood or judging reactions as we do in face to face encounters, the more details sought in the beginning may very well lead to a more satisfying list for the reader.  I particularly liked the "peaves/pleasures"and "content" sections.  The answer choices of "include or avoid" allows the patron to state strong preferences.

Along the same lines as seeking details, the questionnaire also requires five books liked and even allows for reasons why.  Space is also given to state books not liked and to state why.  The result is that even though this questionnaire is online it seeks information that allows the librarian to be intuitive about what the reader is wants based on history and explanation.   

Did anyone else find the "length" question amusing?  I think it is hilarious that the question about length preferences is so short that one has to click to lengthen it.