The Readers' Advisor's Companion [Paperback]

Kenneth D. Shearer (Editor), Robert Burgin (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1563088800 | ISBN-13: 978-1563088803 | Publication Date: January 9, 2002

Some of the most noted authorities, outspoken advocates, and stellar practitioners have come together to offer you their insights and ideas on readers' advisory services. Through 16 timely articles, luminaries Joyce Saricks, Duncan Smith, Wyane Wiegand, Catherine Sheldrick Ross, and others cover such topics as keeping teens reading, readers' advisory for recreational nonfiction, capitalizing on today's best readers' advisory tools, and recent research findings. An essential read for RA practitioners, this volume will also be of interest to faculty and students of library and information science.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Packed with information and inspiration, this welcome sequel to Shearer's 1996 Guiding the Reader to the Next Book (Professional Media, LJ 9/15/96) expands upon its predecessor with 16 varied articles exploring the challenges, best practices, and future directions of reader's advisory service. Strong entries include a long-overdue consideration of recreational nonfiction readers by coeditor Burgin, an insightful article on the evolving role of multicultural literature by Alma Dawson and Connie Van Fleet, Glen Holt's exciting vision for a Center for the Reader, and Bill Crowley's thoughtful discourse on creating and promoting reader's advisory training in academia. Other topics include approaches to indirect advisory, meeting the needs of young adult readers, and sobering research on shortcomings in advisory training and practice. Less rewarding are Brian Sturm's offbeat essay on trance states and Randy Pitman's jokey patter on multimedia advisory that is curiously dismissive of recreational users weak spots more than balanced by choice entries from heavy-hitters Catherine Sheldrick-Ross, Joyce Saricks, and Duncan Smith. This is the most inclusive collection of its kind, and most entries have full bibliographies, making this a good starting place for further study. Highly recommended for public libraries wanting to serve their readers better and as a text for the reader's advisory instruction so badly needed in our once and future library schools. David Wright, Seattle P.L. Distance Education Services
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Although there is an abundance of books on reference theory and service, there are few on readers' advisory. Shearer and Burgin have put together an outstanding compendium of 16 articles by the best-known authorities on and advocates for readers' advisory. Articles by Shearer and Wayne Wiegand look at why library schools fail to educate librarians for readers' advisory. Catherine Ross and Brian Sturm summarize the research on what is known about the experience of reading. Other articles cover the readers' advisory interview, reference tools, indirect advisory services, and reading on the Internet. The book closes with articles on the future of readers' advisory relative to nonfiction, audiovisual materials, young people, and multicultural literature. This book should be required reading for all librarians as it gives an outstanding overview of the past, present, and future of readers' advisory services. Merle Jacob
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited (January 9, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563088800
• ISBN-13: 978-1563088803
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,401,995 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)