Readers’ Advisory in the Engineering Library

Scott CurtisLinda Hall Library

The Power of Reading!

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Nikola Tesla enjoys a book in the lab

What is Readers’ Advisory (RA)?

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“…an organized program promoting bothfiction and non-fiction discretionary readingfor the dual purposes of satisfying readerneeds and advancing a culture’s goal of aliterate population.”

-Bill Crowley, in “A History of Readers’ Advisory Service in the Public Library”

Why recreational reading now?Recreational reading –• Improves writing• Hones critical thinking skills• Enhances the ability to

structure and remember data• Provides a cultural context

into which other knowledge may be integrated

• Builds habits conducive to life-long learning

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Leisure readers say reading provides…

• Heightened understanding of people and relationships

• New knowledge of other countries, cultures, and historical periods

• Spark for imagination and creativity, a “livelier mind”

• Insight into different perspectives

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Barriers to Adopting RA

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How do we do RA?

• Understand genres• Learn to articulate appeal

factors to recommend books across genres

• Encourage the reading of “narrative nonfiction” about engineering and technology

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You don’t have to be Nancy Pearl!

How to promote RA and recreational reading

• Library displays• Newsletters (summer 2009.pdf )

• Social networking tools ( Goodreads, FB, etc.)

• Community-wide reading events

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Questions/Comments?

Scott CurtisHead of Reference Services

Linda Hall Library of Science, Engineering, and Technology5109 Cherry Street

Kansas City, Missouri 64110-2498(816) 926-8739

curtiss@lindahall.org