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Staff Engagement in Readers' Advisory Service in the Public Library

Phillips, JoAnna Merlene
http://orcid.org/0009-0002-9813-1748
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1680115208886477

Abstract Details

2023, Doctor of Education , University of Dayton, Educational Administration.
Readers’ advisory, a library service where library workers connect patrons with their next read, has historically been considered a core responsibility of public library workers. Competing and increasing priorities, along with a long-held preference for reference work, has resulted in many library workers feeling less confident and engaged with readers’ advisory work. This critical research study sought to better understand how, if at all, public library staff engaged with readers’ advisory services and how, if at all, library leadership could support front-line staff provide this service. Additionally, this study sought to better understand the relationship between library administration and the professional development needs of front-line staff through a networked care (Barnes, 2015) lens. In this two-phase qualitative action research study, participants at a multi-location public library system in Northeast Ohio were surveyed and interviewed about their confidence and engagement with readers’ advisory. Findings indicated that few library workers utilized established, purchased readers’ advisory resources (such as journals and databases) and instead relied on crowd-sourcing and peer assistance. Findings also indicated an ambiguity with readers’ advisory best practices and professional development in general. Support in the form of time, money, and staffing aligned in the interviews with prior research. 4 A multiple phase professional development intervention plan was designed and outlined in the final chapter of this work. The professional development plan focused on shoring up the skills of existing library staff while providing an outline for onboarding new employees to this work. Using a combination of organization created resources, database purchased resources, and a subject matter expert, this intervention approach could be used in other organizations.
Corinne Brion (Committee Chair)
Amy Koester (Committee Member)
Stephanie Shreffler (Committee Member)
92 p.
Library Science; Organization Theory
Readers' advisory; public libraries; library leadership; professional development; action research

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Phillips, J. M. (2023). Staff Engagement in Readers' Advisory Service in the Public Library [Doctoral dissertation, University of Dayton]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1680115208886477

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Phillips, JoAnna. Staff Engagement in Readers' Advisory Service in the Public Library. 2023. University of Dayton, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1680115208886477.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Phillips, JoAnna. "Staff Engagement in Readers' Advisory Service in the Public Library." Doctoral dissertation, University of Dayton, 2023. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1680115208886477

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

dayton1680115208886477
130
© 2023, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Dayton and OhioLINK.