Week Fifteen Prompt

For this week I have been tasked with listing the best ways to market a library's fiction section. I will base my responses upon my five years of work experience in various library systems in the Dayton metro area.

MINI BOOK DISPLAYS

My current library is amazing at utilizing an objectively small library space to host multiple small book displays each month. Some of these displays have been: gardening, staff favorites, poetry, "he's a 10, BUT...", and many other fun, diverse, and creative themes. And since these books are shelved together with a small sign, these books will naturally circulate more than they normally would.

BOOK CLUBS

Patrons are hungry for more book clubs, especially as society begins to reconnect after COVID-19's isolating effects. Is your library home to a really robust adult graphic novel collection? Start a graphic novel book club! What about a classic sci-fi gab fest? No doubt this would attract patrons young and old. 

BOOKMARKS AND READING LISTS

One thing my library likes to do is create monthly reading lists to coincide with certain holidays, months (Pride, etc.), and other areas of interest. Often these lists will be created for both children and adults and will include both fiction and non-fiction titles. Especially if your library has the capacity to print these in bulk, it would be easy to even include these lists with certain patron library interactions.

Diverse Reads Annotation (Homie by Danez Smith)

 GENERAL DETAILS

• Title: Homie
• Author: Danez Smith (they/them/theirs)
• Published: January 21st, 2020
• Publisher: Graywolf Press
• Length: 96 pages
• Series or Stand-alone: This is a stand-alone book. 
• Genre: Poetry
• Geographical Setting: United States
• Time Period: Modern day

BOOK SUMMARY

As a finalist for the NAACP Image Award for Poetry, Homie by Danez Smith is a brutal examination of race and sexuality within modern-day America. While many of the poems discuss emotionally difficult topics, such as the loss of a loved one, there is an undercurrent of hope, friendship, and love. 

CONNECTIONS TO THE DIVERSE READS GENRE

• This book is mostly written in African American Vernacular English (AAVE)
• The author is openly gay, so sexuality is freely discussed
• While reading this book, as a white person, I felt as if I was an outsider. This means that the author, who is Black, was truly writing from their heart and life experiences. While some of these experiences were uncomfortable to read, I felt as if I grew as a reader and person from this literary experience
• Poetry has a longstanding history of being predominantly written by white men. Modern poets, however, are much more diverse than the poets of the past. For example, many modern-day poets are female and/or non-white

KEYWORDS AND THEMES 

• Poetry
• Friendship
• Death
• Mourning
• Loss
• Hope
• Sexuality
• Race
• Non-fiction

READ-ALIKES (OTHER LGBTQ+ POETS)

You Better Be Lightning by Andrea Gibson (2021)

Nature Poem by Tommy Pico (2017)

When I Grow Up I Want to Be a List of Further Possibilities by Chen Chen (2017)

READ-ALIKES (OTHER BIPOC POETS)

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur (2014)

salt. by Nayyirah Waheed (2013)

bone by Yrsa Daley-Ward (2014)

Week Fourteen Prompt

For this week I have been tasked to determine if it would be better to integrate diverse reads into normal fiction versus separating them. 

Naturally, this is a dynamic question, and it is one that I have spent the entire week pondering - no joke. There are truly downfalls and benefits to both approaches; however, I believe it is best to separate diverse and other reads. I came to this conclusion after a deep reflection about my past five years as a library professional, as well as someone who is neurodivergent and LGBTQ+. Here are my thoughts:

1. Patrons regularly request separate sections and/or assume that specific genres are already separated from traditional fiction. One of the most frequent questions I have heard as a librarian is, "Where is your mystery section?" Patrons, quite frankly, assume that certain genres of fiction are separated. Additionally, at my current library, we have inspirational fiction separated from traditional fiction. When I have told patrons about this, when it becomes apparent that they are most interested in that genre, their eyes will light up with joy. I have also had Black patrons ask for books by Black authors. As an LGBTQ+ person, I wish there was an LGBTQ+ section. It seems as though readers naturally seek out certain sections of fiction instead of fiction as a whole.
2. If we did not separate any genres, then the fiction section would be huge. HUGE! For practicality's sake, it is simply important to have fiction in one general area (although separated) instead of the entire section being an A - Z-by-author's-last-name scenario. Even the non-fiction section is ultimately divided into different areas to aid the ease of search. And when we break down the fiction section into some of the most important and requested genres, BIPOC voices and LGBTQ+ (among other diverse reads) will be at the top of the most requested genres. 
3. It's fun to window shop! Let's face it: if I am a fan of a certain genre, I will probably want to read as much as I can from that genre. And one of the best ways to look for other authors and series in certain genres is to explore a section of a bookstore dedicated to that genre (and, yes, if bookstores have fiction divided into numerous diverse genres, then so should the library). While many libraries currently separate sci-fi, fantasy, western, mystery, and even religious fiction, then other, more diverse genres, should also have the dignity of a dedicated section. 

Week Thirteen Prompt

For this week, I will be exploring the importance of the YA, new adult, and graphic novel genres.

When I was in high school, which took place between 1998 - 2002, there was little in the way of established YA or new adult genres. While the Harry Potter series was popular with younger children, many of my fellow high school students did not read those books. In fact, many of my fellow students simply read adult books, including Stephen King and Laurell K. Hamilton.

While I read many adult books in high school, and some of them I even enjoyed, I felt as though I did not enjoy reading as much as I could have if I had had access to an entire YA section of a library. Adult fiction often has extremely heavy themes, including explicit depictions of rape or abuse, and especially as a young teen, I simply did not want to read such heavy content. To be quite frank, I don't even enjoy reading those types of books now, as I find them and that type of overtly explicit content to be unnecessarily triggering.

The YA genre, which certainly does not lack in mature content; however, does avoid extremely explicit depictions of rape, abuse, and other sexual content (even if these elements are included in a novel and are integral to the overall plot). The YA genre also has plots that are, quite honestly, more imaginative than regular adult fiction. If this genre had been as established as it is now, I would have loved to have read these types of books instead of ones by Orwell and Nabokov. 

This brings me to the other two genres, which are new adult and graphic novels. Both of these genres do differ from YA, as they can certainly be more adult in nature, but they often have elements of levity or youthfulness that can lessen the effects of occasionally troubling content.

Especially after the psychological affects of COVID-19, I noticed that many adult library patrons (middle-age and even older) simply do not want to read dry or literary or heavy books. They want something fun, light, and creative. They want to become friends with the characters they read. They want a means of escape from the difficulties of modern life. And of all of the genres that are contained within the walls of a library, the genres that fit that description most are YA, new adult, and graphic novels.

As a librarian, I promote these genres heavily to my patrons, regardless of age, and I encourage other librarians to do the same. If you are a librarian who is reading this, and you feel uncomfortable with recommending a YA book to a middle-age patron, perhaps try a phrase of encouragement, like this one: "The YA genre is really fun and has some of the best and most creative plots I have read!" And more often than not, the response from that middle-age patron will be akin to something like this: "That's exactly what I feel like reading!"

YA Annotation (My Name Is Jason. Mine too.: Our Story. Our Way. by Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffin)

 GENERAL DETAILS

• Title: My Name Is Jason. Mine too.: Our Story. Our Way.
• Author: Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffin
• Published: April 21st, 2009
• Publisher: HarperTeen
• Length: 96 pages
• Series or Stand-alone: This is a stand-alone book. 
• Genre: Poetry/memoir
• Geographical Setting: New York
• Time Period: Modern day

BOOK SUMMARY

Poet Jason Reynolds and artist Jason Griffin are college roommates and best friends. In an attempt to hone their skills and develop their combined voices, they decide to move to New York to pursue their dreams. While they experience many ups and downs along their shared path to success, their friendship does not waver.

CONNECTIONS TO THE YA GENRE

• This book focuses upon after-college themes, such as moving to a new city and attempting success, which will resonate with the book's targeted demographic
• There is a strong sense of defiance in the book - that the authors do not want to work a normal 9-5 job and instead pursue artistic goals
• This book is written in a casual tone, which will engage younger readers who have an interest in poetry along with books that are written in verse
• The art style of the book is both eye-catching and accessible, which will hopefully encourage young readers to explore other poetry or art-focused books
• Two of the most salient themes of the book concern hope and friendship, which will connect with young readers who often deal with many similar difficulties that the authors face in this non-fiction narrative 
• An important aspect of the book, and one that is regularly referenced throughout the book, is that Jason Reynolds is black, and Jason Griffin is white. This fact is important, because the authors wanted to emphasize that, despite their differences, the two authors are best friends who truly love each other and have many commonalities 

KEYWORDS AND THEMES 

• Poetry
• Books that are written in verse
• Friendship
• Moving
• New cities
• Post-college experiences 
• Art
• Graphic design
• Race relationships
• Fast-paced
• Encouraging
• Hope-filled
• Emotional

READ-ALIKES (FICTION)

Here are some YA fiction books:

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (2018)

Muted by Tami Charles (2021)

Me: Moth by Amber McBride (2021)

READ-ALIKES (NON-FICTION)

Here are some other traditional YA poetry books:

Light Filters In: Poems by Caroline Kaufman (2018)

Shout by Laurie Halse Anderson (2019)

Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman (2021)

Week Twelve Prompt

For this week I will be completing the RA Guide to Nonfiction as instructed by my professor. I will be filling this out for the only book that has ever made me cry, which was Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron and Bret Witter. 

Where is the book on the narrative continuum?

Since this book is a memoir, it reads more like a fiction than non-fiction book. 

Who or what is the subject of the book?

The subject of this book is Dewey, who was found in the overnight book drop at the Spencer Public Library in Spencer, Iowa. The librarian who found him, Vicki, is also the secondary subject. 

What type of book is it?

As previously mentioned, this is a memoir about both Dewey and Vicki's relationship with each other and the Spencer Public Library's community.

**ARTICULATE APPEAL**

What is the pacing of the book?

This is a fast-paced and easy-to-read book. 

Describe the characters of the book.

Dewey is adorable. What more can be said?! Vicki, unfortunately, goes through some major life changes, including breast cancer, which is heavily discussed in the book. Despite some of the heavier elements of the book, the relationship between Dewey and Vicki is genuinely precious.

How does the story feel?

Heartfelt, emotional, and inspiring. 

What is the intent of the author?

To accurately portray the events that led to Dewey's international fame as well as entertain readers.

What is the focus of the story?

How a discarded kitten became known all over the world as Dewey: The Library Cat. 

Does the language matter?

Of course. The language is friendly and inviting. Informal, even.

Is the setting important and well-described?

Yes, the library and community that it serves are both important and well-described. 

Are there details? If so, about what?

As previously mentioned, there are details about the library and community, but there are also details about Dewey's end-of-life health struggles and Vicki's battle with breast cancer. 

Are there charts and other details?

There are several pictures of Dewey, along with his exploits at The Library Cat. 

Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding or experience?

There are many emotional highs and lows throughout the book, all of which prompt learning, understanding or experience. 

Why would a reader enjoy this book? Rank appeal.

1. The book's characters (Dewey, mainly)
2. The story's feel (heartfelt, inspiring, etc.)
3. The story's focus (from discarded kitten to international celebrity)