[Publib] Readers Advisor Interactions with Adult Users

[Bob Watson]

Fiction RA and reference have a marriage of convenience, nothing more.
 I'd allow that non-fiction RA and reference have some relationship
given that a reference librarian needs to possess curiosity, which
implies doing a great deal of non-fiction reading -- some of it even
from books.

That may not allow for much fiction reading.  That's too bad given how
many readers are almost exclusively fiction readers, but there's only
so much time in a 24-hour day.

That said, inasmuch as some facets of fiction RA can be condensed into
books and/or websites it is certainly possible for the reference
librarian to provide credible RA services ... as long as the patron
doesn't look behind the curtain and ask questions such as "What have
you read lately?"

This is a great problem for smaller libraries.  Larger ones have staff
who may specialize in fiction RA and be admired by reference
librarians who lack that particular skill and interest.  Encouraging
staff to hand off patrons to the best equipped staff member is, of
course, an important part of running a successful adult services
department.

Bob Watson
Director
Lake Villa District Library
Lake Villa, IL