Readers’ advisory and science fiction, ebook research and Austlit.

This seminar for NSW public library staff will be an action packed day of professional development for readers’ advisory and collection staff. In the adult fiction stock quality health check science fiction was an area which libraries struggled with. It was also the genre which library staff said they wanted more information about so they can better help the readers at their libraries. While this seminar will focus on science fiction it will also include ebook research, Austlit and the ever popular ten slides in five minute sessions.

This seminar is a collaboration between the State Library of NSW and the NSW Readers’ advisory working group.

As preparation for the seminar read at least one of the Future tense short stories on Slate. It would be great if you could read the response essay as well. This will be discussed as part of the day.

The seminar will be streamed and videoed. Think about where you sit, if you do not want to be videoed.

Information about how to get to the library.

Information about access.

Travel assistance is available for libraries more than 100kms from the venue.

If you are sharing about the day on social media please use #ra2019. You can buy a bag, a notebook and much more, all with the hashtag and a lovely design on them.

Draft program - this may be subject to change

20 March 2019, Metcalfe Auditorium, State Library of NSW

Readers’ advisory seminar

9:30 Welcome to State Library of NSW by Dr John Vallance, State Librarian.

9.45 - 10.35 Associate Professor Rebecca Giblin and or Professor Kimberlee Weatherall will be discussing their research into the availability of ebooks for lending and the terms of that access. This is important research about access to content. You can follow Dr Rebecca Giblin on twitter @rgibli and Professor Kimberlee Weatherall @kim_weatherall

10.35 - 10.45 Stand and stretch - what are two ideas you will take back to the library from this session. If you are online, please use chat to discuss this same area with others who are watching the seminar by streaming.

10.45 - 11.30 hear from author Daniel O’Malley, author of The Rook and Stiletto you can follow Daniel O'Malley on twitter @denimalley

11.30 - 11.35 Stand and stretch

11. 40 - 12.30 Megan Rosol is a librarian at Skokie Library in Illinois who is a specialist in science fiction. Megan will speak about approachable readers' advisory services for science fiction based on appeal factors. This talk bring together the most asked for genre in the evaluations from the 2018 readers’ advisory seminar, and the collection challenges highlighted by the adult fiction stock quality health check. You can follow Megan Rosol on twitter @rosol

Lunch 12.30 - 1.20 in the Macquarie Room

In the lunch queue talk about science fiction short story you have read - focus on appeal characteristics (not if you liked it) using points from Megan’s talk. If you are online, please use chat to discuss this same area with others who are watching the seminar by streaming.

1.20 - 2:10 Citizen science and readers’ advisory, a potential partnership. Find out how you can be part of this discussion.

2:10 - 2:50 Specialists from Kinokuniya will be talking about trends in science, science fiction and other key collection areas. You can follow them on Instagram.

2:50 - 3.00 Stand and stretch - find someone you have not talked with, and share one or two ideas which you will be taking back from today.

3:00 - 3.15 5 minute talks - the ten slides in five minute talks are always popular, and are a great way to find out what is happening in other public libraries.

3.15 - 4.00 Find out how the Austlit database can be used for readers’ advisory. Austlit is an authoritative database about Australian literature and storytelling, with biographical and bibliographical information, full text, exhibitions and rich online content.

You can follow Austlit on twitter @AustLit

This seminar is a collaboration between the State Library of NSW and the NSW Readers’ advisory working group.

Contact Ellen Forsyth ellen.forsyth@sl.nsw.gov.au

Readers’ advisory, science fiction, ebook research and Austlit for NSW public library staff