An Overview of Readers Advisory Service with Evaluations of Related Websites

As readersʹ advisors, librarians attempt to match patrons with books theyʹll enjoy. Typically done with fiction, this service is important for two reasons: First, fiction circulation figures are consistently high in public libraries. Second, patrons often rely on recommendations for fiction reading material since the contents of novels arenʹt as clear-cut as nonfiction books, which are sorted by subject. To be successful advisors, librarians must know their collections and their patronsʹ reading preferences, and then bridge the two. Librarians can learn their patronsʹ reading preferences using specific interview techniques, and they can learn their collections using readersʹ advisory aids such as the latest web resources.