Trying to find a good book to read

I decided to visit a larger public library for this assignment so I felt confident that the library staff would assist me with finding a good mystery novel. I entered the library, walked upstairs to the second floor, and headed over to the reference desk that had one library staff available. Since I visited this library on a weekday afternoon the library was not busy. A middle-aged male library staff member said “Hello” as I approached the desk. I asked if he could recommend a current or contemporary mystery and after he repeated my words for clarification he then paused and said that he “didn’t read many books from that genre”. However, he immediately suggested Lee Child to read and then started typing on the computer.

Within a minute he turned the computer screen towards me, and I saw he was on Google; in a moment he clicked on a link to access the mystery authors’ webpage on Goodreads.com. He pointed down the screen and noted Lee Child, David Baldacci, and then Robert B. Parker. Although this library clerk never mentioned sub genres or asked any further questions I was actually planning to read a Parker book for my Mystery annotation. Technically he was successful in answering my question. As I thanked him he got up and showed me where the Mysteries were located within the Fiction section. He looked for my approval, apologized again for not knowing many books in the genre, and then left so I could search for a Parker selection on the shelf. I was caught between the two novels Paper Doll and Sudden Mischief which are part of the Spenser series so I checked out both books.

Overall I had a good experience. This library clerk had a friendly demeanor and tone of voice; he seemed approachable and found the information quickly. He did not seem surprised by my question and though he did not know the answer he was pro-active in finding an author from the genre.  I was disappointed that he did not use the library catalog or Novelist though I have looked at the Goodreads.com site for book reviews.  I would have preferred that he asked more questions during the interview (previous books that I had read, what I like about the genre, etc.). Also, he did not recommend any book titles. I think of Lee Child as a Suspense author and David Baldacci as a Thriller author. Therefore, I do not think he had much background in Reader’s Advisory. Because the library was not busy the interaction/conversation was not hurried. I have learned that even if you do not read certain genres it is helpful to know at least several key authors from every genre.

Another interesting observation was that there was a New York Times bestseller list as a Reader’s Advisory booklist on a bulletin board next to the reference desk. There were book displays on the main floor featuring mostly new book titles and staff selections for February (i.e., Romance novels, Black History Month).