People are reading more than ever--are you prepared to advise them?

Do you feel confident when someone asks you to help them find a book he/she
will enjoy?  How many times have I heard folks say that they absolutely
dread it when someone asks them to recommend a "good book,"  yet you share
that readily with other library employees and teachers! Outstanding readers'
advisory services can be the key to increased support of your library.
That's something to think about in these challenging economic times.

The Northeastern Maine Library District is pleased to announce the first in
a series of Readers' Advisory (RA) programs that will be offered in 2009.
These programs will help you improve and update traditional readers'
advisory (RA) skills and gain a better understanding of the influences that
pique readers' interests as well as print and online resources that can help
you respond to readers on the prowl for something good to read.

Linda Oliver from Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick will be exploring
nonfiction readers' advisory services on Wednesday, April 8 from 1:00-4:00
p.m. at Bangor Public Library.   Discover why adults say they read
nonfiction, what appeal factors attract readers to nonfiction, and tips for
interpreting your conversations with patrons (members) about nonfiction
books.

Please register at http://evanced.info/maine/evanced/eventcalendar.asp
While these programs are sponsored by the NMLD, anyone who is interested may
attend.

Just remember readers' advisory service helps you build relationships with
your users.  Anyone who works in a library --shelvers, catalogers,
directors, circulation staff--will benefit from any of these readers'
advisory programs.  Large libraries have reference departments and/or
readers' advisory desks.  Not many of Maine's libraries fit into that
category, thus we all tend to do RA on the fly.  These programs will help
you do it better!

Hope to see many of you on April 8th!
Sincerely,
Valerie Osborne, Consultant
Northeastern Maine Library District
Bangor Public Library
145 Harlow Street
Bangor, Maine 04401
(207)947-8336 phone
(800)427-8336 toll free
(207)945-6694 fax
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