Booktalking for Adult Audiences

Abstract

More and more, librarians working with adult users are called on to talk to groups of readers about books and reading. Whether it is to a book discussion group seeking guidance in selecting new authors, a class on crime fiction, or a program through the library's outreach services to seniors, booktalking is no longer solely the responsibility of children's librarians. The ability to articulately and succinctly present a program on books is an essential skill for all readers' advisors. In the following piece, Jennifer Baker lays out some guidelines for librarians who are new to booktalking. She discusses choosing titles, preparing for the talk, and shaping the presentation to specific audiences. Baker is an adult services librarian in the fiction department at the Seattle Public Library and has worked as a readers' advisor and reference librarian. She is currently a member of the Reading List Council, a RUSA committee that awards best or' in eight genres each year. An alumnus of the University of Washington (UW) graduate library program, she has conducted workshops on booktalking for students in the UW iSchool and has provided training for book group facilitators in UW's Common Book program. She is a NoveList contributor, reviews fiction for Booklist and was privileged to be mentored by Nancy Pearl.--Editor Most library literature on the subject of booktalking is aimed at youth services librarians; naturally these librarians have a great deal of influence in the classroom talking to kids about books. Since youth services professionals are frequently asked to booktalk, it stands to reason that the library graduate programs provide guidance and opportunity to do booktalks and receive peer feedback. Adult services librarians are less frequently required to do formal adult booktalks--this area of public programming is largely neglected and should be included as an important element of readers' advisory services. Marin Younker states that questioning the value of booktalking to teens is like suggesting that it's a waste of time to offer storytimes to kids.(1) Story-rich programs and booktalks for adults provide the same kind of entertainment, mental stretching, and learning experience for adults, yet library literature and educational opportunities for adult services librarians-in-training is limited to nonexistent. Many adult services librarians never do a formal booktalk; most booktalking occurs in the stacks with individual patrons or online while suggesting appropriate titles on a specific topic. For the adult librarian invited to present a formal book talk in the community, the prospect can be daunting. This article provides a few practical pointers for readers' advisors to ensure booktalking success in different settings and with a range of audiences. Some elements of booktalking, such as program planning and marketing, and the physical preparations for a formal booktalk, are not addressed in this piece, but are adeptly covered in Chapple Langemack's The Booktalker's Bible.(2) CHOOSING THE RIGHT BOOKS When invited to give a formal booktalk, the first thing to ask is what the host expects: What kind of reading will interest the audience? A group often will contact the library with a request for a booktalk on a specific topic. The local art museum asked my library's fiction department to provide a booktalk presenting nonfiction and fiction about art. Such specificity of topic can be an issue if the booktalker knows little about art and has only a short time to prepare. It's helpful at the onset to glean as much information about your audience as you can: their common interests, what they might be expecting, and what kind of program they are hosting. It will quickly become obvious to you if you are not the right booktalker for them. If your reading interests and background are congruent with the group and you accept their invitation, think about the books you have enjoyed recently and which would fit the parameters. …