Speaking of Books

Going into this program, my preferences have been archiving or academic libraries. However, I have lived and worked long enough to know that life rarely turns out as I plan. So, I have done my best to try and explore the library profession widely. Therefore, when an email popped up on one of the student listserves in October of 2008 looking for first-year students to “booktalk” at the WLA Conference in Spokane in April of 2009, I volunteered, without fully understanding what a booktalk actually was.

Booktalking is part of the reader advisory aspect of youth librarianship – though I feel that it has much wider possible applications and could easily be carried over to supplement many of the areas that publisher catalogs and reviews do – where the would-be librarian reads one or more books and gives a short presentation on the plot and value of the text. The best ones are done in a tone that is appropriate to the age group most likely to be reading the book.

I chose several books largely in the teen category Swords, by Ben Boos, The Mystery of the Fool and the Vanisher, by David and Ruth Ellwand, Deadville, by Ron Koertge, Fade by Lisa McMann, The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness, The Forest of Hands and Teeth, by Carrie Ryan. I had written many book reviews in the past, and, unlike many people, am not uncomfortable speaking in front of groups, so I was relatively confident. Plus, it would give me an excuse to read for fun.

Please find the link to booktalking pdf here:

Book reviews are different than booktalks and a 50-word annotation of a written work is not at all the same as annotating a folktale. You don’t have to worry about motifs and themes for starters. Regardless, in April of 2009, I arrived in Spokane with my books read and presentations prepared. After some advice from colleagues and revisions, I – and everyone else – presented to a fairly packed room.

It was a valuable learning experience and will be incredibly useful if I find myself in a position that deals with youth librarianship. Regardless of where I find myself in this profession, I would be happy to participate in this process again as it is fun along with being useful.