Joyce G. Saricks has worked as coordinator of the Literature and Audio Services Department at the Downers Grove Public Library since 1983. In addition to co-authoring Readers' Advisory Service in the Public Library (ALA Editions), she has published several articles on readers' advisory and co-created the Adult Reading Round Table, an organization of more than 200 Chicago-area readers' advisors. In 1989, Saricks won the Public Library Association's Allie Beth Martin Award, and in 2000 was named Librarian of the Year by the Romance Writers of America. She has presented more than seventy workshops on readers' advisory for public libraries and library systems around the country. Saricks earned her master's degree in library science from the University of Chicago.
Librarians attempting to answer that gut-sinking request for a book "just like this one" can't afford to miss this excellent self-study reader's advisory guide. The author of Readers' Advisory Service in the Public Library (Professional Media, LJ 10/15/97), Saricks helps librarians painlessly discover the specific appeal of 15 different popular fiction genres, what the benchmark titles are for each, and how to talk to people about the books they love. Genres overlooked by other reader's advisory tools are listed here in good detail, such as literary fiction, women's lives and relationships, and three types of suspense separate from mysteries, horror, and thrillers. In each chapter, Saricks breaks a genre down into subgenres (for example, under mystery, English cozy amateur detective tales vs. police procedurals) and identifies authors and titles that typify each. Annotated suggestions for print and nonprint resources are appended for further investigation, as well as another appendix challenging readers to explore five books in each genre every year (with a list of good titles to try). Well indexed by author, title, and subject, and full of practical suggestions on how to prepare for working with readers, this is an invaluable resource. Highly recommended for all public libraries. Jennifer Baker, Seattle P.L. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
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