Reference | Readers’ Advisory
”[This] classic text continues to be a go-to source for all things reference ... Essential for library schools and valuable for academic libraries and larger public ones."
— Library Journal
"Whether you are a fan of horror or are not interested in being scared, this book will have you recommending books that give your patrons a fright in no time."
— Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association
"A supremely useful guide."
— Booklist
Street lit, also known as urban fiction, addresses with unflinching grit the concerns and problems of city living and survival in the United States. As a leisure reading genre, street lit encompasses some of the most in-demand titles in American public libraries’ collections. In this new, thoroughly revised edition of her popular guide, Irvin’s coverage of street lit is fortified by professional narratives from her experiences as a public librarian in Philadelphia, an updated treatment of canonical and contemporary book titles, and scholarly references that reflect her research background in library and information science. Attuned to the needs of novices and devotees alike, Irvin
- sketches out the rich history of the urban fiction, showing why it appeals so strongly to readers and providing a quick way for street lit novices to get up to speed on understanding the genre;
- demonstrates why promoting street lit means promoting literacy;
- explores how authors, readers, and librarians read and respond to the genre and one another;
- covers a variety of subgenres in terms of scope, popularity, style, major authors, and works;
- shares approaches to readers’ advisory (RA) founded on creating trust between the patron and the librarian; and
- offers pointers on collection development and library programming.
Surveying core sexual and reproductive health concepts, this straightforward and non-judgmental resource will support library workers in providing trustworthy guidance to patrons through fact-friendly reference and program services.
The bibliotherapy-informed practices, programs, and events outlined in this guide will help librarians support the mental health and personal growth of their patrons.
"Written in an accessible, engaging way that not only provides concrete examples of each type of blend, but also provides enough information for readers to start identifying and recommending blends on their own."
— Reference Reviews
"Thorough and easy to use, this guide should be something read by anyone working with (or raising!) children of any age."
— School Library Journal
"Librarians working with children or teens will find this book a useful guide in planning programs and selecting library resources for patrons in the throes of generational poverty (a term applied to families who have experienced poverty for at least two generations)."
— Catholic Library World
Edited by former public and school librarians, this important resource explores the exciting landscape of recent children’s literature and provides helpful frameworks and strategies for adults to think about the evaluation, curation, and use of these books with young people.
