RA FOR ALL...THE ROAD SHOW!

I can come to your library, book club meeting, or conference to talk about how to help your readers find their next good read. Click here for more information including RA for All's EDI Statement.

Monday, March 31, 2025

What I'm Reading: April 2025 Horror Review Column in Library Journal

    A rectangle of the Library Journal Logo with a large capital L and J in red. Centered on the J are the words, Library and Journal, each on their own line in a dark gray. The logo is on a white background with a thin lined dark gray box around the entire logo. 

My April 2025 Horror Review Column is now live on the LJ site and in the current issue of the print magazine! In this post I have gathered the titles with my three words and links to my full draft reviews on Goodreads. Click through for readalikes and more appeal information.

First this month's STARS:

  • The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling (richly detailed, highly unnerving, 3 points of view)
    • Interview with the author in this issue. Link coming soon
  • The Country Under Heaven by Frederic S. Durbin (vignettes, weird western, thought-provoking)
    • This was the surprise of the column. I knew nothing about this book before starting it; I picked it because it looked interesting and was releasing in my time frame. But wow, it was spectacular.
  • Girl in the Creek by Wendy Wagner (sporror, invasively creepy, strong sense of place)
And the other 5 excellent titles:
    Posted by at No comments:
    Labels: , , , , ,

    Friday, March 28, 2025

    Promote Far and Wide: Free for All: The Public Library on PBS Premieres April 29th

    As reported on Reactor:

    There’s a new documentary celebrating the history and impact of libraries heading to PBS, and the trailer released today touches on the unequivocal positive impact they—and the librarians who work there—have on communities.

    Here’s the synopsis:

    Free For All: The Public Library chronicles the fascinating evolution of the American public library’s trajectory, from the original “Free Library Movement” that began in the late 19th century to the present, when many libraries find themselves caught in the crosshairs of the culture wars and struggling to survive amid budget cuts and closures. 


    Here is the PBS landing page for the film. It has access to the trailer which I have also embedded below.

    This is the positive library PR we need right now. We need to remind everyone how great the library is but also, why we get caught in the culture wars. 

    Look I know all of you are going to watch it, but I am posting about it here so that you promote it to your patrons. HEAVILY. We need our supporters to see this and then spread it to others. We need this to help energize our base which includes people from all identities, locations, political parties, and socioeconomic statuses. 

    Post on your socials, put up signs in your buildings, and host a watch party. All of it. We need to positive press right now.

    Free For All: The Public Library premieres on PBS’s Independent Lens on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 10 p.m. It will also be available to stream on the PBS app at that time.


    Posted by at No comments:
    Labels: ,

    Thursday, March 27, 2025

    Booklist March 2025 Issue

    The Booklist Online redesign makes sharing the content from the current issue very easy.  Go to this link and get access to the lists and articles from the most current issue. Any of these links from the current issue work whether you have a log in or not (I logged out to double check), so have at it with book lists, award winners, and interviews for all ages of readers below.

    But also, remember that if your library receives a print edition of Booklist, you can have online access. Click here for the FAQ and scroll down to the section "Setting Up Access to Booklist Online."

    And another reminder that if you are an ALA Member you now have Booklist Reader Access. I wrote about that last month, here. Or you can just go to this link to set it up for yourself.

    Many resources to help a slew of readers below. Enjoy.

    Booklist: March 1&15, 2025.


    FEATURE. First published March 1, 2025 (Booklist).

    cover of March 2025 Booklist

    On the Cover
    From The Paper Bridge, by Joëlle Veyrenc, illustrated by Seng Soun Ratanavanh, translated by Katy Lockwood-Holmes, and published by Floris Books.The Paper Bridge is reviewed in this issue’s Spotlight on Picture Books. Illustration © 2022 La Martinière Jeunesse. Used by kind permission of Floris Books, Edinburgh.

    ALA’s 2025 Best Lists
     
    Spotlight on the Environment & Sustainability
     
    Spotlight on Picture Books
     
    Features
    Posted by at No comments:
    Labels: , , ,

    Wednesday, March 26, 2025

    Micro-Genre Alert: Bog Gothic

    I have started a new tag to capture the proliferation of micro-genre trends. Click on micro-genre here, at the end of this post, or in the right gutter where the tags all appear in alpha order.

    The thing about micro-genres isn't that they are new, rather it is the trend that is worth noting. Romantasy is the best example not only because of how popular it is, but rather, because if you look at the lists of books that fall into this trending genre, they have always been there (yes more are coming out because it is popular). All we are doing now is giving this particular type of book, with a specific appeal or trope a name.

    As I wrote in my first "Micro-Genre Alert" post here, when something is trending in the larger world, we should take advantage and make a display-- show people that we both know about the trend and have books to satisfy their curiosity.

    But we should not worry about identifying those trends and making the lists from scratch. Nope. That is what are resources are for. As I say in Rule 7 of my 10 Rules of RA Service-- we need to use resources to help readers, just like we do for reference questions. You are not better at your job o helping readers if you only use your own brain. In fact, quite the opposite, using resources shows what a better RA professional you are.

    So back to the topic at hand. Using my resources, I noticed this piece in CrimeReads all about Bog Gothic. From the article:

    Bog Gothic or Bogothic?

    Although bogs are not as popular a setting for thrillers and horror novels as, say, a crumbling estate or a city crippled by corruption, there have definitely been some authors who have drawn inspiration from this type of wetland, myself included. We might call this subgenre ‘Bog Gothic’ if it were not for the fact that this term already exists: it was coined by Patrick McCabe to describe his gothic stories set in rural Ireland, the most famous of which is The Butcher Boy (1992). Having a bog is not required for a novel to be considered ‘Bog Gothic’, because ‘bog’ here refers to Ireland and Ireland’s dark past rather than the actual wetland. To avoid confusion and because people on social media love a good portmanteau, I suggest that we use bogothic (from bog and gothic, as coined by my wife) to refer to gothic books that incorporate bogs and bog bodies.

    What follows now is a list of bogothic books provided with their score on the bog-o-meter (a highly-accurate, totally objective tool). Let’s see which ones really put the ‘bog’ into bogothic!

    Click through to see the annotated reading list with that bog-o-meter score.

    Not only is this a great idea for a display that will feature books from across your collection, old and new, it is fun. You could use these books and the author's scores to make you own display in the building or online.

    But let's find some more "Bogothic" suggestions as well, especially lists of books as suggested by fans of the micro-genre.

    Now there's a bunch of books to make for a fun display. Attached a "bog-o-meter" score to each book if you want-- just do it on a post-it. And get your patrons involved as well. 

    Post the list of books and a photo of your display online and ask people to add their own books and or bog-o-meter scores.  Use my conversation starter to display post to ask all of your patrons to share their favorite titles for this micro-genre.

    Even better idea-- make the conversation starter question not just to add a book to the display but also, include a space where patrons can suggest the next micro-genre for you to feature. Yes our resources can alert us to trends, but our patrons are also a resource. Show them that you want to know what they want. Encourage them to speak up about the types of books they are most interested in. Not only will this help you to have the collection and services they want, it will make your job easier as they will be coming up with the display ideas for you. 

    Finding the books will be fun. Try reddit as described above and a general search for whatever micro-genre they mention to get started.

    Posted by at No comments:
    Labels: , , , , , , , , ,

    Tuesday, March 25, 2025

    Summer Scares Booklist Webinars and Podcasts Are LIVE

     

    Click here to get to the
    Summer Scares Resource page


    One of the best things about the Summer Scares partnership with Booklist Magazine is that they support us getting the message out about the program to the larger library world for all age levels of service. 

    They have committed to providing introductions to titles and their authors in three FREE webinars (one for each age group) and an overview of the entire program via their Self Care podcast. And all of it is tied to the release of our amazing Programming Guide, always in early March, which they promote heavily in everything they do.

    We have seen an untick in libraries doing Summer Scares because of their wide reach. This support at the start of each new season of titles is huge. 

    So today, I want to take a moment to thank the entire team at Booklist (Grace, Julia, and Susan specifically for doing the heavy lifting). These three webinars and the podcast take a lot of work to appear as seamless as they are, and I anted to make sure they are presented all together. 

    I have updated the resource page but I also wanted to alert my readers that everything is ready for you to start planning your Summer Scares.

    Please give the webinars and podcast a listen/watch.  And thank you Booklist for being such a wonderful partner in Summer Scares.

    • Booklist hosts a series of webinars with each set of 3 authors and the recordings will all be FREE to view. Links below to access them all.
    • Listen to Committee members and some librarians who use Summer Scares in their libraries talk about the program in general and this year's selected titles on Booklist's Shelf Care
    Click here to access all of the Shelf Care podcasts 
    including Episode 41.

    It’s time for Summer Scares, and the popular horror-reading program is in fine form again. Shelf Care host Susan Maguire spoke to librarian Becky Spratford, author Kendare Blake, and Booklist’s Julia Smith about this year’s selections for adult, teen, and middle-grade readers; transgressive horror; and Hellmouth Pokémon, as you do. She also spoke to Jocelyn Codner and Carina Stopenski, both of the Horror Writers Association’s Library Advisory Council, about the Summer Scares program guide, why libraries should serve horror readers, and what they’re reading and loving.

    Click through for the show notes including MANY links. 

    Posted by at No comments:
    Labels: , , , , , , , ,

    Monday, March 24, 2025

    LJ's Audio In Depth Column and Other Useful Audio Book Review Resources To Help you Insert Yourself Into Your Patrons Digital Audio Discovery Processes

    An organe rectangle with a woman with dark hair facing left with headphones on and a man with dark hair and a beard and headphone facing right. Both are on the left hand of the rectangle. Then in white black letter is the title-- Audio in Depth. Below that a white text box with black text that reads: March 2025 Across a range of genres and subjects, skilled narrators deliver nuanced, striking, and comforting listens, as spring arrives with performances that reveal new insights about old favorites and introduce fresh aural experiences not to miss.

    The March Issue of Library Journal has increased audio coverage here.

    Easy access to the Starred reviews in general and each genre access. 

    If you scroll down there is also access to a brand new survey by LJ, SLJ, and APA that confirms the dominance of digital audio. Click here for the summary which also has access to the full report at the bottom. Anyone who helps any reader, no matter which formats they prefer, needs to read this report.

    (Reminder, earlier this month I had a post about digital audiobooks here. It is a great re-read after this post today)

    Finally, LJ runs these Audio in Depth columns in 4 issues a year, March, June, September, and December. When you scroll down they have easy access to the backlist of columns going back to 2022, all with one click.

    Backlist access to these duo reviews is key because often, audio books come out AFTER the book releases, and sometimes, there is an audio that we don;t have at first, but then the book gets popular, so finding a review to go back and check to see if we can add it is important.

    Also while we are on the subject of audio book resources, please keep AudioFile Magazine book marked at all times or sign up for their newsletter. This is THE best audio book resource. You can search by narrator and genre. You can see their starred reviews which they call "earphone awards." Everything is easy to search and access with keywords or through their excellent drop down menus. Again, click here.

    All signs point to the exploding popularity of digital audiobooks. I have been writing about it a lot. I need you to understand though that even if you aren't the one purchasing these, or your main job is helping at the desk of the physical library, you still need to know about the options. Many of your patrons are searching on their own from their phones to find titles. They are not asking for the help they would in person because they are not in the library when checking e-audio books out.  

    You need to be more proactive about making lists of great audiobooks by appeal, having QR codes in the stacks or on your displays to send people to Libby for more titles (or to those lists), and just talking about the fact that you can help people find audio books that they will enjoy just like you help them find print books. Add it to your talking points at the desk. Have staff ask about audiobooks when helping readers. Put it in your newsletters and on your social media. 

    Just make sure you are including digital audio books in your general RA conversations. They are listening with or without your help. Why not insert yourself into their discovery processes. It will make their experience better, allow you a chance to gather some data about what they are most enjoying to help you craft better collections in all formats, and just like all RA-- it will show your patrons how useful you are in helping them find a great read for their limited leisure time. The more we insert ourselves into their discovery processes, the more indispensable we become.

    Posted by at No comments:
    Labels: , ,

    Friday, March 21, 2025

    Library Journal's Day of Dialog Is Coming April 17th and Not Only Will I Be There....So Will ARCs of by Book!

    A rectangle that says LJ Day of Dialog Fee Virtual Event April 17, 2025 on the left hand side. On the Right hand side there are 5 people with speech bubbles (with no words just lines or question marks, excaliomation marks, dots or a combo of each.

    The next LJ DoD is coming up soon and it is going to be the first official step on my book promotion journey.

    Join us April 17 for our Library Journal Day of Dialog virtual event! Spanning a variety of genres, this day-long program will offer an in-depth look at the biggest forthcoming books for summer/fall 2025. You’ll hear directly from top authors as they discuss their new titles, inspiration, process, and more.  

    And don’t forget the virtual exhibit hall! Visit the booths to download free resources and chat with representatives.

    EVENT HOURS: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET 

    As Library Journal's Horror Review Columnist, I am often called upon to help with panels; however, this time they wanted me as an author! When thinking about which author to pair myself with for this event, I knew it had to be Alma Katsu. First, I am already reading her next book, FIEND, for my June 2025 column (review due 4/14). Second, at this moment in history, with her background working for our governments intelligence agencies, she knows real life horror. And third, check out the title of her essay in my book, "What You Can Learn from Horror: Don’t run from darkness; it’s trying to teach you a lesson."

    Once we paired up, I was asked to come up with a title/theme of our 30 minute chat, and this is what I decided upon:

    3:45 – 4:15 PM ET | Why We Need Horror
    Join Award winning author Alma Katsu and Library Journal's Horror Review Columnist Becky Spratford as they discuss the importance of reading horror during the darkest times.

    Alma and I are doing this live and with no concurrent panel. We will be talking about her upcoming book, FIEND and her essay in my upcoming book, WHY I LOVE HORROR. Both books will be available for download in the publisher's booths of the virtual exhibit hall. (PRH for her, S&S for me).

    You read that correctly! You will be able to read my book. After finishing it I know you will be buying a copy for every building in your systems. LOL. Well, only a little. One of the best things about my book is that the cover (coming soon) is awesome (drawn by a talented horror artist) and between the cover and the title-- Why I Love Horror-- you simple put it out as the sign for all of your horror displays and fill in any and all horror books around it. (This also means you probably need more than one copy as well because people will grab it).

    Okay enough shameless promotion. Here is more good news. Right before our conversation is the Horror panel:

    2:25 – 3:15 PM ET | Nightmares Unleashed
    From personal peril to historical hauntings, these horror novels will keep you up and keep you guessing.

    Isabel Canas, The Possession of Alba Diaz (Berkley: Penguin Random House)
    Jenny Kiefer, Crafting for Sinners (Quirk Books)
    Leigh Radford, One Yellow Eye (Gallery Books: Simon & Schuster)
    Sam Rebelein, Galloway's Gospel (William Morrow: HarperCollins)
    Markus Redmond, Blood Slaves (Dafina: Kensington)
    Moderator: Janee Jackson-Doering, Youth Services Consultant, State Library of Iowa

    A big thank you to Janee and her panel for getting everyone primed and ready for me and Alma.

    But this day is not just about me or even horror. There is a full day of free events as well as a virtual exhibit hall. Click here to explore the program and use the tabes at the top of the page for more information.

    Again all of this, everything that day, is FREE from April 17-July 17 for everyone who registers. Click here to get your spot reserved now. You can join us live or watch the recording for 3 full months.

    Posted by at No comments:
    Labels: , , ,

    Thursday, March 20, 2025

    Stop What You Are Doing and Talk to Your Patrons About the Proposed IMLS Cuts Today!

    Back in December I had this post, "Who We Are, What We Do, and Why-- Make a Commitment to Do Better in 2025." Well stop making excuses for why you haven't done it yet because I am here to give you a script and action step to pass on to your patrons.
     
    Here is the bad news straight from ALA's Show Up For Libraries:



    A blue rectangle with the words "TRUMP IS TRYING TO CUT LIBRARIES. FIGHT BACK WITH ALA." on the bottom left is the logo for "Show up for our libraries" and on the bottom right, the logo for the American Library Association

    Trump’s Trying to Gut Libraries: Fight Back with ALA

    Late on Friday, March 14, President Trump issued an executive order attempting to dismantle the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Millions of people rely every day on library services and programs supported by IMLS. Now we need YOU to show up for our libraries.


    Okay here is what you do with this information-- you share it and how to act with your friends, family and patrons in emails and by handing out QR codes to go directly to the ALA one-click campaign above. This link goes directly to the page for the ALA's "Show Up for Libraries" page. All people have to do is give their name and address and an email is created for ALL of their federal reps. It takes a few seconds. 

    That is the least you can do. But if you can, write emails too. Here is an article from my library system with the language you can put in an email to your friends and colleagues. It explains the situation very clearly to a non library person audience. Cut and paste whatever parts you would like. There are multiple action steps listed there. It gives people a chance to interact with this advocacy campaign in the way that is right for them.

    I know all of these actions are easy and work because I send a few of these emails a month, for every issue that ALA asks me to send for. But they are used to ME, sending emails. What about you? What about your patrons? 

    At my library board last night, I told my fellow board members that it is our duty to spread the word about this to those who are not as connected to libraries as we are.

    Today, I am directly asking you, my readers, wherever you live in America to get 10 people in your networks to click through and spend 30 seconds to get an email sent to all of their federal reps. And ask them to get 10 people to do it as well. I already did it, so there is no reason you cannot.

    There is a chance to personalize the standard message if people want to, but honestly, flooding as many federal reps as possible as often as possible, in as many districts as possible, is our goal. Since I have a national platform, I am using it to help encourage you to do a simple local action.

    I want you to target not only your friends and family, but also your patrons.

    If your library tells you that you cannot talk about this at work-- a reality especially in states where the ALA is banned-- do it passively. Make those QR codes and hand them out. In the library, at the grocery store, when you see friends, ask them to use them and then pass on to someone else. Remind people that we need as many people as possible to do this-- en mass.

    Again, no excuses that you don't know what to say. Here is an article from my library system. It has the language you can put in an email to your friends and colleagues. Cut and paste whatever parts you would like. There are multiple action steps listed there.

    If you can't stand up for Libraries, you shouldn't work in one.

    And, quite honestly, if you cannot figure out a way to solicit others to help act, I am not sure you should read this blog anymore.

    Posted by at No comments:
    Labels: ,
    Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)