Assignment 14-4

Stacy Winters Allegany County Library

Title: The Patrons Choice

Readers Advisory is a big part of our job as librarians. Our mission states that the ACLS enriches

peoples lives by providing information, materials, services and entertaining programs to

promote our community, lifelong learning, and opportunity for all. We also have several shared

values, such as excellent customer service and open communication. With that in mind, I got

inspired at our readers advisory face-to-face session and thought it would be fun to do a

patrons readers advisory called the Patrons Choice.

Patrons and staff could come in and write down the title of a book they read on a chart along

with their name (which would be optional) and 5-7 words to describe the book. Then they can

rate it with our star stamper 1-5 stars. We would do this for three months. At the end of those

3 months the most popular title would be featured as the Patrons Choice Award on our home

page, face book page, and on a bookmark along with any honor books.

In doing this we would be opening up the lines of communication between our staff and our

patrons by learning what they like to read and what they dont like. They will be able to see

what other people, including staff, like and dislike.

This could be an ongoing entertaining program and would not require any additional staff. The

staff at the front desk would be in charge of the chart since they would be the ones helping the

patrons. So it would rotate and everyone can participate.

Date: May 5, 2015

Title: The Patrons Choice PRESS RELEASE - Allegany County Library System

Contact: Christopher McGee

Allegany County Library System

31 Washington Street

Cumberland, MD 21502

301-777-1200 ext. 1103 Fax 301-777-7299

For Immediate Release

Washington Street Library will be starting a patrons readers advisory program this summer. Patrons can stop by the library on 31 Washington Street and let the staff know about any books

they have read. At the end of summer Patrons can check out the librarys home page and facebook page for the Patrons Choice Award winner and honor books or stop by and pick up a bookmark with the award winners featured on it. For more information, stop by or call the

Washington Street Library at 301-777-1200

We would also advertise this program on our Librarys home page and facebook page 6 weeks prior to the start date.

The library will not be promoting this program at this time, but likes the idea and will consider it

in the future.