Nonfiction Readers' Advisory

by Burgin, Robert

• ISBN13: 9781591581154
• ISBN10: 159158115X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-10-30
• Publisher: Libraries Unltd Inc

Summary

The readers' advisory renaissance of the past few decades has focused almost exclusively on fiction. However, many readers relish nonfiction, not just for the information it imparts, but for reading pleasure. In fact, the concepts of genres and appeal features can be applied to nonfiction, just as they are applied to novels. This ground-breaking work addresses the issue of how readers' advisors can expand their repertoire and make better use of their library's collection by incorporating nonfiction into the RA transaction. Some of the most notable authorities on readers' advisory and reading promotion--Ken Shearer, Catherine Ross, Bill Crowley, Connie Van Fleet, Alma Dawson, Duncan Smith, and others--will contribute their insights on the ramifications of this fascinating new arena of readers' advisory.

Table of Contents

Introduction	xi
Joyce G. Saricks
Part I: The Case for Nonfiction
A History of Readers' Advisory Service in the Public Library	3	(28)
Bill Crowley
``The RA Moment''	3	(1)
Of What Use Is RA History?	4	(2)
Definitions and Distinctions: Defining RA	6	(1)
RA and Adult Education	6	(1)
The Fiction Problem	7	(2)
Accepted Belief and Historical Evidence	9	(1)
1876---``Inventing'' RA	9	(4)
1920 to 1940---Privileging Nonfiction RA	13	(5)
1940 to 1984---RA ``Lost'' in Adult Services: The Turn to Information	18	(2)
1984 and the Revival of RA	20	(1)
Research Support for Reading as Self-Education	21	(1)
``Returning to the Center'': What the RA Past May Offer the RA Future	22	(3)
Notes	25	(1)
References	25	(6)
Beyond Boundaries	31	(16)
Kathleen de la Pena McCook
From Fact to Creative Nonfiction	31	(4)
Readers' Advisory Experts on Nonfiction and Public Libraries	35	(2)
Adult Programming and the Public Library As Commons	37	(2)
Cultural Heritage and Nonfiction Readers' Advisory	39	(1)
Notes	40	(1)
References	41	(1)
Nonfiction Titles Mentioned	42	(5)
Part II: Nonfiction Materials
Many Kinds of Crafted Truths: An Introduction to Nonfiction	47	(20)
David Carr
At the Taxidermist's Convention	47	(1)
Reading Home Town Together	48	(2)
What Nonfiction Is	50	(1)
Nonfiction Variations	51	(9)
Biography	52	(1)
Memoir	52	(1)
History	53	(2)
Contemporary Issues, Case Studies, Reflections	55	(3)
Other Subgenres	58	(2)
Nonfiction Themes	60	(1)
Deep Dimensions of Nonfiction	61	(2)
Deep Tellings	61	(1)
Inside Encounters	61	(1)
Rescued Histories	62	(1)
Lives in Contexts	62	(1)
Journeys and Places	62	(1)
Losses and Understandings	63	(1)
Growing-Through Narratives	63	(1)
Our Lives Are Nonfiction	63	(1)
Notes	64	(1)
References	65	(2)
The Appeal of Nonfiction: A Tale of Many Tastes	67	(18)
Kenneth D. Shearer
Background	67	(3)
Planet Bookscape: The Fiction/Nonfiction Textual Terrain	70	(5)
What Is the Appeal of Books?	75	(3)
Appeal Factors on Planet Bookscape	78	(4)
References	82	(3)
Hearing and Seeing: The Case for Audiovisual Materials	85	(20)
Michael Vollmar-Grone
Introduction	85	(2)
A Few Caveats	87	(1)
Historical Use of Informational Audiovisual Materials	87	(1)
Reasons Audiovisual Materials Are Not Fully Utilized	88	(1)
Unfamiliarity with Formats	88	(1)
Lack of Reference Sources	89	(1)
Difficulty of Accessing Information in Linear Formats	89	(1)
Media Literacy	89	(3)
Goals and Techniques of the Readers', Viewers', and Listeners' Advisor	92	(1)
General Guidelines for Working with Readers, Listeners, and Viewers	92	(2)
Knowledge Areas	94	(1)
Other Format Considerations	94	(1)
Conclusions	95	(1)
Recommended Resources	96	(1)
Other Resources	97	(1)
References	98	(7)
Part III: Nonfiction Readers
Reading Nonfiction for Pleasure: What Motivates Readers?	105	(16)
Catherine Ross
Implications for the Readers' Advisory Transaction	118	(1)
References	119	(2)
True Stories: Portraits of Four Nonfiction Readers	121	(22)
Duncan Smith
The Late Great Unpleasantness: Tony Horowitz and the Civil War	122	(4)
Janice Radway's Feeling for Books	126	(7)
Reconstruction	126	(4)
Distinctions	130	(3)
Roger Rohweder: In Pursuit of One Hundred Years of Flight	133	(3)
David Carr: Turning Point, 1968	136	(4)
``It is never satisfied, the mind, never''	140	(1)
Note	141	(1)
References	141	(2)
Nonfiction and Young Readers	143	(14)
Crystal Faris
Why Nonfiction?	144	(2)
Curiosity	144	(1)
Brain Development	144	(1)
Boys and Reading	145	(1)
Reality Reading	146	(2)
The Youth Services Librarian's Role	148	(3)
Read Nonfiction	148	(1)
Stay Current	149	(1)
Build a Core List	149	(1)
Evaluate Titles	149	(1)
Visit Stacks	150	(1)
Market Information	150	(1)
Conclusion	151	(1)
Awards for Nonfiction Children's Books	151	(2)
ALSC/Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award	151	(1)
Orbis Pictus Award	151	(1)
The International Reading Association (IRA) Children's Book Awards	152	(1)
Washington Post---Children's Book Guild Nonfiction Award	152	(1)
The Flora Stieglitz Straus Award	153	(1)
Notable Social Studies Books for Young People	153	(1)
Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K--12	153	(1)
References	153	(2)
Further Reading	155	(2)
Nonfiction Advisory Services in the School Library Media Center	157	(18)
Marcia Kochel
No Respect	158	(2)
Why Promote Nonfiction?	160	(4)
Quality	160	(1)
Pleasure and Enjoyment	161	(1)
Achievement	162	(1)
Boys	163	(1)
How to Promote Nonfiction	164	(8)
Collection Development	165	(1)
Booktalks	166	(2)
Collaboration with Teachers	168	(1)
Displays	169	(1)
Brochures and Bibliographies	170	(1)
One-on-One Recommendations	171	(1)
Conclusion	172	(1)
References	172	(1)
Children's and Young Adult Books Mentioned	173	(2)
Books That Inspire: Nonfiction for a Multicultural Society	175	(24)
Alma Dawson
Connie Van Fleet
Defining Multicultural Literature	176	(1)
Nonfiction and Multicultural Audiences	177	(3)
Mainstream Literary Movements of Relevance	177	(2)
Appeal to Multicultural Audiences	179	(1)
Evolution of Multicultural Nonfiction	179	(1)
Implications for Libraries in a Multicultural Society	180	(1)
Mission	180	(1)
Collection Development	180	(1)
Public Service	181	(1)
Perspectives in Multicultural Nonfiction	181	(10)
Social History: Connecting with Community	181	(2)
Criteria for Evaluating Multicultural Social History	183	(1)
Personal History: Connecting with Other Individuals	184	(4)
Criteria for Evaluating Biography	188	(1)
Guidance and Self-Help: Connecting with Self	189	(2)
Criteria for Evaluating Multicultural Self-Help and Guidance	191	(1)
Conclusion	191	(1)
References	192	(1)
Books Used As Examples	193	(6)
Part IV: Practical Advice
Readers' Advisory in the Real World	199	(14)
Stacy Alesi
Body Language	201	(1)
Listening	202	(2)
Resources	204	(3)
Finding the Commonalities	207	(4)
Appearing Confident	211	(1)
References	212	(1)
The Story's the Thing: Narrative Nonfiction for Recreational Reading	213	(16)
Vicki Novak
Defining the Genre	214	(1)
Top Ten Reasons to Read Narrative Nonfiction	215	(1)
Neglected Readers?	215	(1)
Subject versus Appeal Factors	216	(3)
Writing	218	(1)
Setting (Transports the Reader)	218	(1)
People	219	(1)
Story	219	(1)
Narrative Nonfiction Genres	219	(3)
Biography, Autobiography, Memoirs, and Diaries	219	(1)
True Crime	220	(1)
Travelogues or Books with a Strong Sense of Place	220	(1)
Medicine	220	(1)
Journalistic Reportage or Exposes of Social Issues	221	(1)
Essays or Short True Stories	221	(1)
Humor	221	(1)
Overcoming Adversity	221	(1)
Adventure, Disaster, or Survival	222	(1)
History	222	(1)
Microhistories	222	(1)
Science, Technology, and Inventions	222	(1)
Providing Nonfiction Readers' Advisory Service	222	(1)
Selected Nonfiction Readers' Advisory Tools	223	(3)
Conclusion	226	(1)
Notes	227	(1)
References	227	(2)
Conclusion: Beyond Fiction and Nonfiction	229	(10)
Looking at the Similarities	231	(2)
Getting Past the Dichotomy	233	(3)
References	236	(3)
Index	239	(6)
Frank Exner
Little Bear
About the Editor and Contributors	245