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.
Race matters
When I was thinking of a suitable title for this month’s column a number of ideas came to mind including “Decolonization is not a metaphor” and “Acknowledgement is not enough.”
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…
Class matters
Social class is the most significant single determinant of public library use and non-use. A recent study in the U.K. found that 46 per…
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…
John Vincent: Libraries, the universe & everything
I interviewed John Vincent by email in February, 2018. I have known John since we were both chief librarians in London in the 1990s.…
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…
Decolonization
Decolonization is a powerful and contentious word. What does it mean exactly? Is it feasible? Is it desirable? And what does it mean for…
From pilot to perfect: Improving RA skills by investing in training
Practice makes perfect—or at least staff can benefit from targeted readers’ advisory training, particularly when they have time to practice and reflect on their…
The Great October Socialist Revolution
October 2017 marked the 100th anniversary of the Russian revolution which began a new stage in the development of librarianship by creating the objective…
Listeners’ advisory: When audiobook title recommendations are not enough
Imagine this . . . you’re getting ready for a long road trip, you have just downloaded an audiobook from the library and are…
Cultural appropriation
“No man is an island entire of itself.” ~ John Donne Cultural appropriation is a “hot button” and deeply polarising issue that is being…
Fake news and manufacturing consent
"Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance" – George Bernard Shaw Given all the fuss that has been made about fake…