Secret Shopper
My secret shopper experience began at a local library. I stopped at the circulation desk and they sent me to reference when I asked for a good book recommendation. I went to the reference desk and waited my turn. When my turn arrived I asked the library worker for "a good book recommendation." She asked me if I had any genre in mind, and I told her something different from what I have read before. I told her I enjoy reading inspirational, romance, and general fiction works. She asked me if I liked fantasy novels and I told her I have not really read any fantasy novels besides Harry Potter or young adult novels. She recommended the book Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal, describing it as Pride and Prejudice with magic. She told me I could find the book in under the call number "SF Kow" and said that she hoped I enjoyed the book.
I think the book sounds interesting and I think I will enjoy it as I have enjoyed books with magic elements in them before, I just wish she would have asked more questions about the types of books I read. For instances, while I enjoyed Pride and Prejudice, it took me a very long time to get through the book because the writing style was not to my liking. I think if she would have asked me if I liked Jane Austen I would have told her that and maybe she would have made more suggestions. In the end, I will give her suggestion a try- I just might love it!
Chelsea,
ReplyDeleteI can't help but agree with you that more could have been done in terms of narrowing down your interest. In fact, I am quite surprised that she did not lead you to the actual book rather than just handing over a call number. Did she know if you were familiar with the library and layout at all? For all she knew, she was sending you out on a goose chase where you would not be able to find the book. Whenever I am personally answering a readers advisory question, I always make sure that I lead the patron to the book, because it gives me a chance to speak with them and get to know their interests a bit better, but also because I can give them a chance to look the book over and tell me whether or not that interests them. If they see the book and decide it is not for them, I am there to recommend something else, rather than making the patron track me back down.
I know at my library many of my co-workers just point the patron towards the stacks and expects the patron to know how to find the book. While some patrons understand the organizational system, many do not and I always try to walk with my patrons and help them find the book so they know we care about them finding the book they are looking for. Like Laura, I try my best to walk with them, but sometimes that cannot happen, but I always tell them to come back if they have trouble finding the book. That way they feel comfortable coming back and asking for help.
DeleteI agree with Andrea, I try to make sure I take the patron to the shelf. I only don't do it if I have a line of people and the patron tells me they know where the book is. I still try once the line is gone to make sure they found the book ok and if that is something they think they might enjoy. If not we can go back and try again. Also like Andrea said I enjoy talking with the patron about other books that they have read or like when walking to find the book we are looking for it sometime gives me something else to recommend that I may not have thought about when we were at the desk.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea, as you walk you can learn more and maybe suggest another book in case the first suggestion doesn't work out. I also try to walk with the patron, but that is not always possible-like you said! We do our best, and I believe the librarian who helped me was also doing her best. Thanks!
DeleteDid you find it surprising that she started recommending fantasy/magic when you didn't mention that this one one of the genres that you enjoyed? To be honest, if someone listed "inspirational" as a top area of interest, my instinct would not be to jump to fantasy fiction. It seems almost counter-intuitive. At the risk of being too general or stereotyping, when I hear "inspirational", I immediately think of Christian topics, so that is where I would go first. Not to say that people who like Christian fiction wouldn't also like fantasy or magic, but it's a pretty big leap. She didn't seem to zero--in on your interests, but rather skipped to a genre that she as perhaps more familiar with. If she was not familiar with your genres that you like, using resources would have been essential, rather than just recommending something on-the-fly. Her intentions were probably in the right place, and I don't mean to be such a harsh critic since you are willing to try the book, but overall it seems like a rather puzzling interaction!
ReplyDeleteI was surprised to get a fantasy recommendation. I was expecting a gentle read or maybe a classic recommendation that would be similar to an inspirational read. I believe her intentions were true and it is possible it is her favorite genre and she wants others to enjoy it as well.
DeleteHi Chelsea!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like you had a very disappointing experience, and like the librarian did not take that much time to answer your question at all. I have to admit, before I took this class, whenever a patron asked me about a good book, I would freeze, and then rack my brain for something that I read earlier, and then tried to remember the content of the book. I would get nervous about recommending a book because I didn’t want to get yelled at by the patron if the patron didn’t like what I suggested. I can’t remember where exactly, but our Saricks textbook stated that we don’t have to read everything under the sun, and that made me feel more comfortable with Readers’ Advisory, and even like it. We totally share genre preference in common- there are some books that are just too gruesome/graphic for me to get through, so I prefer Gentle Reads and Classics. It sounded as though the librarian just heard the “something different” part and latched onto it, not really listening to what else you had to say.
Personally, I like Pride and Prejudice immensely. I’m a huge fan of Jane Austen. I get used to her language after the first few pages, but it isn’t always for everyone. There are all sorts of read-alikes you could look into, like Austenland by Shannon Hale, for a more modern twist with easier language. That’s great you are willing to try the librarian’s suggestion, anyway!
Thank you! Yes, I believe the librarian was feeling similar to your feelings when approached with a readers' advisory. It may be that she does not get asked that question a lot and froze and recommend one of her favorite books/genre. I have seen Shannon Hale's books when I've shelved at work, and I have always wanted to try them. I will have to try that out after I finish Shades of Milk and Honey!
DeleteGreat summary! I'm glad that you rolled along with the librarian and kept an open mind even though she didn't have the most useful RA approach.
ReplyDelete