Week 16

I grew up as an avid reader, reading whatever my hands lied on. At a very young age, I found that reading was a true passion and not just a hobby, so I spent many hours reading under blankets and in my room, instead of going out to play. This has effected my adult life as I would rather be indoor than outdoor, and I would rather read a book than socialize but I do try to balance both at the same time.

Reading has given me access to portals and places that my other friends did not care about visiting. I read in both Arabic and English and as I grew older I found it hard to find time to read, however, I do try to assign a few minutes of my day for reading.

With the change in reading habits and with all the technological development, it did become natural to read on screens rather than the old fashioned way of printed books. I was against the idea at first, but once I got my first Kindle I enjoyed the experience greatly.

It is hard to tell what the future may hold, but considering the technological achievements thus far, I can only predict that reading would not only be about ink on paper or resolution on screen, but an interactive experience with visuals in 3D and sound accompanying it, being projected to the reader in the form of glasses or displayed on surfaces.

Week 15 Prompt

Marketing collections in libraries is essential to increasing the circulation numbers and in-house use of items, therefore a steady budget can be maintained. Librarians nowadays are encouraged to pursue marketing courses during their MLS studies or as professional certifications. The reason is simple, if the target audience is not aware of the availability of the item, they would not come by asking for it. Given the uncertain future of libraries due to budget cuts and the Internet revolution, it is now necessary more than ever to market library collections. This article is in reference to marketing a hypothetical fiction collection using strategies and resources.

Apart from the conventional yet effective marketing method of the word of mouth, there are other ways to put the word out there for the target audience. Some of the strategies include conventional methods such as print materials to involve the digitally challenged and the skilled, meaning, QR code posters and regular print ones or a combination of both, to market the collection. There is also the importance of proper signage directing users to the collection.

But let's assume that our patrons are familiar with the location of the fiction collection within the library, yet the circulation number for the materials in this collection is really low. Perhaps our patrons need some encouragement to check out the fiction titles. One suggestion would be to place posters in the back of the doors to the stalls of the restroom with a brief synopsis to some books which could be either new release, old is gold, seasonal ...etc.

Resorting to professional marketing help is also a good option for bigger libraries. Professional marketing agents could give tips and assist with marketing through virtual and personal channels. Moreover, the library could host book club events with titles available in the fiction collection, to encourage participants to check out the copies. Other programs include book trivia, book sale and other events.

And last but not least, let's not forget the importance of social media for promoting library collections!

Week 13 Prompt

The situation of GBLTQ materials at libraries is becoming a hot topic for patrons and librarians. On one hand there are the supporters of this genre, and on the other, the opposition. But whatever opinion each individual has, the fact remains that libraries are unbiased establishments that offer all types of genres to readers without censorship nor discrimination.

But apart from the debate of the acquisition of GBLTQ materials, there is the issue of classifying the materials or displaying them. Some of the books have graphic covers, while others may not be as known so those who are searching for this genre would have a hard time finding the book they want because they would have to browse  the whole fiction collection for example, so the question is, how would the GBLTQ materials be shelved? Similarly, topics that are equally as sensitive like African American lit or history can face the same display/shelving issues.

In my opinion,  I'm with displaying GBLTQ separately for these reasons:

1- Classifying materials by topic is easier than by classifying them by last name/DDC/LC. Think of a bookshop set-up VS. Libraries. Bookshops are easy to browse, especially for those who do not have a book title in mind. Within the topic a librarian can use a classification system DDC/LC to sort the materials.

2- the GBLTQ topic is a hot one, for this reason a lot of patrons are interested in knowing more or celebrate their differences. I once had a patron who has just came out of the closet, and he wanted EVERYTHING GBLTQ. The fiction books in that library were classified by author's last name, so if anything doesn't come up through a subject heading search, it would be lost in the fiction collection.

3- Putting GBLTQ materials in a class of their own proves that the library displaying these materials lives by the ALA principals that are against censorship and discrimination.

Overall, GBLTQ remains a sensitive issue when tied with religious beliefs and expectations of gender roles, therefore in order to integrate the GBLTQ community it has to be understood and accepted through the spread of literacy regarding this topic.

Week 13 Prompt: YA & not so YA readers

There is this horrified look on adults when they hear other adults tell them that they are reading YA or children books. Mostly it's related to self-image issues which predetermine what adults should be like and what activities are suitable for them. Regardless, there are those brave adults who despite all the scorn pick a YA book and read it in the library triumphantly.

However, as librarians we must encourage our patrons to check out YA or children books without feelings of shame or fear. The best way to do it I think is through library advertising by creating displays in the main walkways of the library rather than confining them to the YA section, so interested adults can pick up the book from the display and check it out. 

Also memes on social media break the ice and puts humor to non-humorous situations, so through advertising to adults who love YA books, more adults will also be encouraged to read the genre they love.

Classic Fiction Annotation

The Picture of Dorian Gray
By Oscar Wilde

Synopsis

Dorian Gray is a handsome man who has got it all, or does he? He is portrayed as that, literally, on a canvas that was gifted to him by his artist friend Basil. But behind Dorian's good looks hides a monster which is greedy for more. Dorian wants immortality, and through selling his soul to the devil, he manages to stay handsome and young, while his picture on canvas ages and rots.

This arrangement however shortly dissolves as Dorian is forced to face his own sins and redeem his soul.





Characteristics that makes it fit into classic fiction

- The setting of the story -19th century-.
- The description of the English society of the late 1800s.
- The controversial themes hinting at homosexuality and redefinition of gender role.
- Elegance in writing.

Read-a-likes

Lolita by Valdimir Nabokov
Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft
Dracula by Bram Stoker
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

The Reader’s Advisory Matrix

The Reader’s Advisory Matrix

I Heart My Little A-Holes

by Karen Alpert

·         Where is the book on the narrative continuum?

Highly narrative (reads like fiction)

·         What is the subject of the book?

Pregnancy and raising children.

·         What type of book is it?

A memoir.

·         Articulate appeal:

What is the pacing of the book? Fast, packed with information and hilarious experiences.

Describe the characters of the book. The author herself, pictured as a deranged mother (rightfully so) with the two kids and husband.

How does the story feel? Makes you dread having kids at first but the more you read into it you realize that kids are a blessing.

What is the intent of the author? To tackle a taboo which most women don’t speak about: their baby delivery experience and its aftermath. The author pretty much paints all the horrors of pregnancy and child rearing in a humorous, frank tone.

Does the language matter? Yes.

Is the setting important and well described? Not much setting is necessary for the purpose of this book.

Are there details and if so, of what? Yes, of child rearing and pregnancy.

Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials? Are they useful and clear? Yes, the author included pictures of her children.

Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience? Yes, as the author describes the bad situations that happened to her, she also mentions the silver lining to each situation.

·         Why would a reader enjoy this book?

1-      Packed with information.

2-      Hilarious and honest.

3-      Important topic for every woman.

Non-fiction Annotation

Mother Nature is Trying to Kill You: A Lively Tour Through the Dark Side of the Natural World 

By Dan Riskin

Synopsis: 

Divided into seven sections titled under the seven original sins, the author of this book is determined on convincing readers that Mother Nature is foe, not friend.

In a world where the phrase "All Natural" sells to most, it is rather alarming to be told that natural could mean death. In this book, Dan Riskin explores the natural world and habitats of wild animals and insects to report their habits and what makes them dangerous to us, humans.

From the smallest creatures to the humongous, you will not believe what they all have in common: the intent of destroying us! Therefore, you should absolutely pick up this book and read it. Who knows, maybe it will save your life one day! :)


Read-Alikes:

What if? Serious scientific answers to hypothetical questions
By Randall Monroe

Everything is going to kill everybody
By Robert Brockway