Ebooks and audiobooks didn't exist when I was a kid; or if they did, they weren't as popular as they are today. Beyond that, I don't think that the culture of reading, and books in general, has changed too much. I personally have become more interested in online fanfiction than I am in actual books. I also have an interest in ebooks for the convenience.
I don't really see the culture of reading changing. There always has been, and always will be, those who enjoy reading and those who don't. I don't see schools changing how they approach reading. I imagine that physical books may become slightly less common in schools, if textbooks and class materials become available digitally.
I see big house publishers slowly being replaced by small-time publishers and self-publishing authors. E-Publishing will likely also continue to rise.
Monday, April 16, 2018
Week 15 Prompt
Prompt: What do you think are the best ways to market your library's fiction collection?
1. Facebook/Website: A lot of people are turning to the internet for answers to their questions. A good way to promote the fiction collection would be to put an announcement on the library's website and/or Facebook page.
2. Fiction Display: Having a display section of classics, recent favorites, and new fiction can get the public interested in what else the library has to offer.
3. Reading Programs: A lot of libraries have summer/reading programs. The fiction collection can be highlighted in one such program.
1. Facebook/Website: A lot of people are turning to the internet for answers to their questions. A good way to promote the fiction collection would be to put an announcement on the library's website and/or Facebook page.
2. Fiction Display: Having a display section of classics, recent favorites, and new fiction can get the public interested in what else the library has to offer.
3. Reading Programs: A lot of libraries have summer/reading programs. The fiction collection can be highlighted in one such program.
Week 14 Prompt
I would not separate LGBTQ fiction or African American Fiction from the general collection.
1. It's generally easy to determine if a book has LGBTQ or African American subject matter. If someone doesn't want to read it, it's fairly simple to avoid. Personal autonomy and responsibility are things; we must be responsible for the media that we choose to consume, and not try to dictate the media someone else chooses to consume.
2. I agree that it promotes segregation. To me, it makes it seem like these books don't belong with other books, which I disagree with. It brings a focus to anyone in those sections; someone may want an LGBTQ-themed book, but may be embarrassed or uncomfortable with letting others know.
3. By separating these books, you decrease the chance of a reader stumbling on them and discovering something new. We tend to stick to what we know and like, and if someone doesn't usually pick books on these topics, then the chances of them discovering these subjects on their own greatly decreases if the books are separated.
Over all, I don't feel that the desire to separate LGBTQ and/or African American Fiction comes from a good place, and I couldn't in good conscious do so.
1. It's generally easy to determine if a book has LGBTQ or African American subject matter. If someone doesn't want to read it, it's fairly simple to avoid. Personal autonomy and responsibility are things; we must be responsible for the media that we choose to consume, and not try to dictate the media someone else chooses to consume.
2. I agree that it promotes segregation. To me, it makes it seem like these books don't belong with other books, which I disagree with. It brings a focus to anyone in those sections; someone may want an LGBTQ-themed book, but may be embarrassed or uncomfortable with letting others know.
3. By separating these books, you decrease the chance of a reader stumbling on them and discovering something new. We tend to stick to what we know and like, and if someone doesn't usually pick books on these topics, then the chances of them discovering these subjects on their own greatly decreases if the books are separated.
Over all, I don't feel that the desire to separate LGBTQ and/or African American Fiction comes from a good place, and I couldn't in good conscious do so.
Saturday, April 7, 2018
Week 13 Prompt
I definitely think that we should be serving adults (young, new, whatever) who enjoy YA/NA/Graphic Novels. It's not our place to gatekeep. If the material isn't hurting anyone, patrons should be allowed access. It's no one else's business to decide what should or should not be promoted in the library. Those who feel that YA/NA/Graphic Novels aren't legitimate literary choices are wrong; just because it doesn't mesh with what someone thinks is proper writing/subject matter, doesn't mean that it's not legitimate, that it's not enjoyable, or that it should be excluded from being accessible to the public.
That said, listening to patrons who do enjoy those genres is the important thing. Supply what they like, then encourage them to branch out. Maintain a variety of styles, both writing and drawing, to entice patrons to do just that. I don't feel that YA/NA/Graphic Novels need treatment different from say, romance or sci-fi, in terms of promotion or application. Treat these genres/styles as the other genres are treated; like they belong there.
That said, listening to patrons who do enjoy those genres is the important thing. Supply what they like, then encourage them to branch out. Maintain a variety of styles, both writing and drawing, to entice patrons to do just that. I don't feel that YA/NA/Graphic Novels need treatment different from say, romance or sci-fi, in terms of promotion or application. Treat these genres/styles as the other genres are treated; like they belong there.
New Adult Annotation
Author: A. Meredith Walters
Publication Date: October 2012
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Number of Pages: 290
Summary:
Maggie Young lived a relatively normal life, up until she met Clayton Reed. With a past he want to escape and personal demons that continuously threaten to bring him down, Clayton's connection to Maggie offers a light in the darkness. Together, they struggle to remain true to themselves and each other as Clayton's demons threaten to tear them apart.
Characteristics that fit in with New Adult:
- Deals with the "experimental years"; ages 18-26
- Deals with "first-times": college, full-time jobs, serious relationship, moving away from home, etc.
Read-Alikes:
- When We Collide by A.L. Jackson
- Definetly, Maybe in Love by Ophelia London
- Wait for You by J. Lynne, Jennifer L. Amrtentrout
Sunday, April 1, 2018
Week 12 Prompt
Reader's Advisory Matrix:
Author: Frank McCourt
Title: Angela's Ashes
Publication Date: 1996
Number of Pages: 368
Geographic Setting: Ireland; U.S.A.
Time Period: Depression-era
Subject Headings: Irish Americans Biography, Irish Americans Ireland Limerick Biography, McCourt Family, Limerick (Limerick, Ireland) Biography
Type: Non-Fiction, Biography, Autobiography-Memoir
Series Notes: First of three memoirs
Book Summary: Angela's Ashes: A Memoir is a 1996 memoir by the Irish-American author Grank McCourt, with various anecdotes and stories of his childhood in Brooklyn, New York, but focuses mostly on his life in Limerick, Ireland. It also includes his struggles with poverty and his father's alcoholism.
Reading Elements:
1-3 Annotation: In Angela's Ashes, author Frank McCourt details his life as an Irish-American, which begins and ends in New York but primarily takes place in Limerick, Ireland. This book explores McCourt's childhood as he's born in Brooklyn New York, returns to Ireland and poverty as a young child, and struggles to finally return to New York as a young man of nineteen. McCourt deals with poverty and the alcoholism of his father.
Similar Works:
Name of Annotator: Brittany Vanzo
Author: Frank McCourt
Title: Angela's Ashes
Publication Date: 1996
Number of Pages: 368
Geographic Setting: Ireland; U.S.A.
Time Period: Depression-era
Subject Headings: Irish Americans Biography, Irish Americans Ireland Limerick Biography, McCourt Family, Limerick (Limerick, Ireland) Biography
Type: Non-Fiction, Biography, Autobiography-Memoir
Series Notes: First of three memoirs
Book Summary: Angela's Ashes: A Memoir is a 1996 memoir by the Irish-American author Grank McCourt, with various anecdotes and stories of his childhood in Brooklyn, New York, but focuses mostly on his life in Limerick, Ireland. It also includes his struggles with poverty and his father's alcoholism.
Reading Elements:
- Narrative Context: The work is shaped into a compelling page-turning read that can read much like fiction.
- Subject: The subject of this memoir is Irish-American Frank McCourt and his life growing up.
- Type: A memoir is a type of non-fiction that relies more on the narrative that other types, say an essay.
- Pacing: The pacing of Angela's Ashes is fairly linear, going from young childhood to early adulthood.
1-3 Annotation: In Angela's Ashes, author Frank McCourt details his life as an Irish-American, which begins and ends in New York but primarily takes place in Limerick, Ireland. This book explores McCourt's childhood as he's born in Brooklyn New York, returns to Ireland and poverty as a young child, and struggles to finally return to New York as a young man of nineteen. McCourt deals with poverty and the alcoholism of his father.
Similar Works:
- The Liar's Club by Mary Karr
- The Road from Coorain: A Woman's Exquisitely Clear-Sighted Memoir of Growing up Australian by Jill Ker Conway
- Growing Up by Russell Baker, Gilbert Riswold
- Memoirs, 1925-1950 by George F. Kennan
Name of Annotator: Brittany Vanzo
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