Readers’ Advisory – OPEN SHELF

Challenge accepted!

It’s a new year and a great time for making reading resolutions. One form this resolution may take is to respond to a Reading Challenge. Taking this type of challenge can not only be fun, but also a great opportunity to change some of our entrenched reading habits.

Columns, Readers' Advisory

Four RA strategies to promote new voices and inclusion

We can use Reader’s Advisory to both ensure that our communities feel seen and that they discover new voices and cultures by working on polices, merchandising, book lists, and handselling.

Readers' Advisory

Remote readers’ advisory

Across the country, libraries are closed but library staff are still working hard to provide remote programming and virtual services, including RA.

Readers' Advisory

Free to read and share (or not): “What are you reading?”

Asking somebody what they are reading is a simple but loaded question, particularly when responding to an adult: We have the right to different tastes and reading choices.

Readers' Advisory

RA core competencies & toolkit

Emma Primeau highlights the OPLA "Reader Services Core Competencies and RA Toolkit". This resource is a one-stop shop for all the tips, tools and continuing education to fuel a simple, practical and integrated approach to inclusive Readers’ Advisory that is geared to your community.

Readers' Advisory

Podcasts for book lovers

With podcasts covering pretty much every conceivable thought, notion or idea, it makes sense that there would be countless podcasts for readers and book lovers ... and for readers' advisory as well!

Readers' Advisory

Even RA in a Day is about more than just books

Very few people only read books. And we have to keep up with all the formats! While RA is typically considered to be just about books, the days when well-constructed stories appeared only between the pages of a book have greatly diminished.

Readers' Advisory

Listening your way to better RA

Everyone knows listening is a major starting point to any readers’ advisory (RA) transaction and listening to podcasts can play an important role before the interview even starts.

Readers' Advisory

“Twenty Questions” works: Recommending e-resources

For library staff, it is important to assess whether or not a patron is interested in formats other than print.

Readers' Advisory

RA in a Day 2018: Bringing Readers’ Advisory online

Every year, the OPLA Readers’ Advisory Committee brings together some of the best readers’ advisory advocates to share their knowledge and expertise on meeting the needs of adult readers.

Readers' Advisory

Just-in-time training: DIY online RA education

Nothing lasts forever—especially when it comes to training. Consistently learning, growing and refreshing your skills is not just for new professionals, but a value-added…

Readers' Advisory

Uncovering “next reads”: Moving from popular fiction to less visible titles

There’s nothing more thrilling for me than having conversations with readers about what they’re reading. It’s definitely easier to have these exchanges if we’ve…

Readers' Advisory

Annotations: Writing short & sweet reader guides

If you work in a public library, chances are you’ve been asked to write an annotation. While it seems relatively simple—write a few words…

Readers' Advisory