We decided to focus on planning RA workshops/training events, rather than acting as a general discussion/interest group, since that is what we got the best response to in the past year. Three of the four annual meetings will be workshops, and the fourth (October) meeting will be the planning meeting for the next year.
January 22, April 22, July 22, and October 28 (4th Tuesdays) at 1:30, subject to speaker availability. (Note from Allison: All meetings dates are on the SWON calendar 10/19/07).
Default location will be SWON, though if we expect very large meeting attendance, we will book PLCH’s North Central Regional Branch meeting room.
This was the bulk of the meeting discussion, since we decided that our focus would be on planning and creating training opportunities.
Topics mentioned included how to find readalikes, children’s RA, basic RA training, nonfiction, music and movies (especially “hands-on,” giving actual title suggestions rather than just steering people to reference sources), science fiction, historical fiction, suspense, fantasy, romance, inspirational fiction, humor, creating classes for the public on how to find good books, keeping up with “hot” titles, and creating online RA.
We decided that this will be the year of the genre, as people really seem to like workshops that give them very practical, immediate reading suggestions to offer to their customers. So discussion focused on which genres to find speakers on. Science fiction and nonfiction were chosen. Humor was discussed as a preferred third topic, but the consensus was that it would be difficult to find a speaker on this topic.
Discussion then turned to libraries around the country that are very successful in creating a “reader’s community” in their libraries and on their websites. Morton Grove, Hennepin County, Seattle Public, and Williamsburg Regional were particularly mentioned. We decided that we would like our third program this year to feature a speaker from one of these library systems offering a “how to” talk (preferably in person, possibly by videoconference), if SWON’s budget permits. Allison will pursue this.
We also talked about a wish list of national speakers on Reader’s Advisory, mentioning Neal Wyatt, Nancy Pearl, Joyce Saricks, Diana Tixler Herald, Mary K. Chelton, Duncan Smith, and Cynthia Orr. Allison will see whether there is any possibility of getting a major speaker like this, perhaps in co-sponsorship with other networks. If this is possible, the idea was raised of a day-long RA program.
The group will give this thought. Joan may have a fairly local contact name for the nonfiction RA presentation.
Emily proposed using the LASSIE listserv more actively, using it to pool our knowledge, not so much to answer specific RA/reference questions, but to respond to hot topics, e.g., creating “reading maps” to satisfy the interest raised by current movies, tv, popular titles, etc. We discussed doing this with both immediacy (e.g., true adventure titles to link to the currently released movie Into the Wild) and proactively/in advance, so that staff could create booklists, do displays, and do collection development on topics that will come up in the next few months. We talked about the movies that will come out at the end of the year or next summer, talked about popular TV shows, mentioned some current hot titles, etc. The listserv could also be used for general discussion of topics such as favorite readalike resources, most popular RA questions received, ideas for speakers, etc. Emily will create an invitation to listserv members and toss out some kick-off topics for initial discussion to see how well this works.
Allison will add all new members’ names to the listserv and will publicize it in general SWON mailings. (Note from Allison: this has been done 10/19/07)
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