Readers’ Advisory 2020

May 2020’s Virtual Meeting

Each year, BAYA has one meeting devoted to Teen and YA Readers’ Advisory. 2020’s presentation was hosted by Carla Avitabile, who spoke on her Past Year Favorites, Next In Series, Most Anticipated, and Biggest Disappointment. Check out her slides below:

After Carla’s (always awesome) presentation, the conversation regarding Readers’ Advisory shifted to form-based reading recommendations.

Develop Your Own Form-Based Readers’ Advisory

One recommended webinar mentioned was: Form-Based Readers’ Advisory When Your Readers (and Staff) are at Home

Several BAYA members shared their system’s existing Form Recommendation sites for other members to get ideas from. Check them out below if you want ideas on how to start your own Form Recommendation.

Livermore Public Library

Your Next Great Reads! Livermore Public Library uses this form for their patrons (library card required for response). They modeled their form after other library’s (like Seattle) form system.

Livermore Public Library also has Reading Roundup, where librarians will offer their top 5 reads in 5 minutes (yes they are timed!). This is currently a virtual Zoom program.

San José Public Library

San José Public Library also uses a form for Personal Reading Recommendations called 5forU. Patrons can use the form to tell a librarian a little about their reading preferences and a librarian will respond with five recommended reading titles based on the information. No library card required so check it out and find out what another librarian would recommend you read!