Sponsored by the Canadian Association of Public Libraries

Cost: $75.00

Supporting Materials: Tarulli_RA_APLA.ppt
ppt slides, Body and Soul
ppt slides, Overdrive
ppt slides, the Quest
ppt slides, Hansen
ppt slides, Read Your Lunch
ppt slides, Wenning
mp3, DaVinciCode1542.mp3

The task of helping a reader to discover their next great read can be a challenge for many reasons. Today’s reader is looking for meaningful suggestions but usually within very limited time constraints, and the harried readers’ advisor may come to see the question, “What should I read next?” as a daunting one.

Co-sponsored by the Nova Scotia Provincial Library and the Canadian Association of Public Libraries this day-long workshop focuses on Readers’ Advisory skills and techniques to help both new and seasoned staff. During the day recognized experts in the field of Readers’ Advisory (RA) as well as public library staff will share their tips, tricks and successes. By the end of the day attendees will have gained new perspectives in RA as well as a heightened appreciation for readers and the value of our service to them.

For the past three years RA in a Day has been run successfully by Sharron Smith of the Ontario Public Library Association’s Readers’ Advisory Committee. For the first time, she is taking it on the road and adding an east coast twist.

Who should participate?
Whether you are new to the field of reader guidance or highly skilled at making reading suggestions, plan now to attend this day and discover techniques and inspiration to enhance you readers’ advisory skills.

About the presenters and the sessions:

Duncan Smith - the Value of Readers’ Advisory
Duncan Smith is a founding partner of NoveList. This important Readers’ Advisory resource grew out of research that he conducted on why readers read what they read. As a Librarian, teacher, researcher and a widely recognized authority on Readers' Advisory, Duncan has written on a variety of RA topics and is a popular speaker and presenter.

Sharron Smith - The Art of Appeal
It has been said that no two readers read the same book; the reasons why readers enjoy a particular book are unique to them. In order to meet the needs of the leisure reader, it is essential that the readers' advisor has a thorough understanding of the appeal elements that drive reading selection, what makes a good book, and why it is enjoyed by some and not by others. During this session, Sharron Smith, Manager of Readers’ Advisory Services at Kitchener Public Library, will discuss the major appeal elements and provide reading suggestions for each element (with a Canadian focus) so that by the end of this session you’ll have a great reading list. Sharron is Chair of Ontario Public Library Association’s RA Committee, the co-author of Canadian Fiction: A Guide to Reading Interests, and recipient of the 2008 Librarian of the Year award presented by the Ontario Library Boards Association.

Kristina Parlee and Heidi Hallett - Read Your Lunch – East Coast Special
Looking for an Atlantic Canadian book to sink your teeth into? Hungry for a great new local author? In a special APLA edition of their popular lunchtime library program, Heidi Hallett and Kristina Parlee bring to life the leisure literature of Atlantic Canada. Enjoy lunch while you take in this entertaining and energetic discussion on recent and upcoming titles in East Coast Lit.
Heidi Hallett is owner of the well known Frog Hollow Books in Halifax. Readers’ Advisory Librarian Kristina Parlee selects fiction for Halifax Public Libraries, is an RA trainer and a key member of the Halifax Public Libraries' Readers’ Services team.

Denis Cunningham and Sarah Wenning - Reaching Readers: Marketing Collections & Readers’ Services
Come share your most creative ideas for promotion of your leisure collections and Readers’ Services. Learn some marketing strategies that will attract readers to the library and the basics of promoting collections through displays, booklists, and collection layout.
Denis Cunningham is the Manager of Communications and Marketing with Halifax Public Libraries. He is a two time winner of the prestigious ALA John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award. Since winning, Denis has been a member of the Dana selection committee for three years.
Sarah Wenning is the Regional Manager of Readers’ Services for Halifax Public Libraries where she coordinates service development and delivery in the region. She is a member of the Nova Scotia Provincial Library’s Readers’ Services Working Group and the Pan Canadian Readers’ Services Forum.

e-RA: electronic resources to enhance Readers’ Advisory service
Join members of Halifax Public Libraries' Readers’ Services Team for a quick-paced overview of current web based resources available to Readers’ Advisory staff everywhere and an update on how social catalogues can enhance our service.
Our three presenters are from Halifax Public Libraries. David Hansen is the Resource Manager of Readers’ Services and the Mystery selector for the region.
Maureen Collier is a Reference Librarian and a Readers’ Advisory trainer.
Laurel Tarulli is a Cataloguing Librarian and a key member of the Readers’ Services Team.