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Learn about Readers' Advisory (RA) programs promoting both fiction and non-fiction reading to improve critical thinking skills and cultural integration. Discover the benefits of recreational reading and how to overcome barriers to adopting RA. Explore tips to promote RA and recreational reading through library displays, newsletters, and community events.
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Readers’ Advisory in the Engineering Library Scott Curtis Linda Hall Library
The Power of Reading! Nikola Tesla enjoys a book in the lab http://www.flickr.com/photos/73584165@N00/185401450/
What is Readers’ Advisory (RA)? “…an organized program promoting both fiction and non-fiction discretionary reading for the dual purposes of satisfying reader needs and advancing a culture’s goal of a literate population.” -Bill Crowley, in “A History of Readers’ Advisory Service in the Public Library” http://www.flickr.com/photos/helenyoyo/3519317220/
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 http://www.flickr.com/photos/seattledailyphoto/523972654/
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 http://www.flickr.com/photos/spneale/2924344430/
Barriers to Adopting RA http://www.flickr.com/photos/chandos/403727926/
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 You don’t have to be Nancy Pearl! http://www.flickr.com/photos/bibliona/196694634/
How to promote RA and recreational reading • Library displays • Newsletters (summer 2009.pdf ) • Social networking tools ( Goodreads, FB, etc.) • Community-wide reading events http://www.flickr.com/photos/31763016@N00/5265784/
Questions/Comments? Scott Curtis Head of Reference Services Linda Hall Library of Science, Engineering, and Technology 5109 Cherry Street Kansas City, Missouri 64110-2498 (816) 926-8739 curtiss@lindahall.org