Pondering Fiction Ideas

My rut is still with me these days, but less bothersome than before. A few items have popped up on Twittter and my Google reader that have provoked some actual thought and distracted me from my pity party of winter blues. So join me as I ponder the library universe.

My Genre Issues with Fiction
Both Holly and I have been working on assembling titles for lists on read-a-likes as well as trying to stay ahead in order to speak intelligently about new titles. This always sparks our long standing discussion on genres. How do we as librarians decide what is and is not a particular genre? The next part of that discussion is what does the PUBLIC use as a definition of a particular genre? I am sometimes frustrated by the genre labels. Do the labels we assign hinder or help patrons?  (Yes, I have had a well-meaning patron come up to me and say: "Library X has this John Grisham book in the mystery section and here it is in the general fiction section.  Is this a mistake?")
In my perfect library, I am not sure I would have books separated by genre at all. Of course in my perfect library there would be enough librarians to provide perfect library reader advisory so no patron would feel the least bit frustrated.  My takeaway from this discussion (and I never tire of it especially with other librarians) is understanding what our first impressions do for us as reader.  Think about this when looking at everything from where something is shelved to what the cover art indicates.

Fiction Deal Breakers
One of my new favorite sites, Book Riot (@bookriot on Twitter), just posted an article on the Friday Forum: What Won't You Believe. This article just resonated with me and I started thinking about all the times I put down a book because they said something that didn't match up, make sense or simply got some easily checked facts wrong. I am remembering a particular piece of fiction that had a character in New York call her brother in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  No big deal. Except that the author went on about her inconvenience at him being on Central Standard Time. (Grand Rapids is on Eastern time, same as New York). This tirade went on for about two paragraphs. I was cringing the whole time and could not get beyond this mistake. I might have been able to pull through if the narrative or characters had been compelling, but I couldn't manage. (Note to authors: just check on all the little details.  Call the city you are writing about and get those details.  On my reference desk I will happily verify pronunciations/spellings, discuss the cities and local culture.)

It isn't just the fiction writers either.  Reference librarians from Metro Detroit would have happily explained to Steve Perry and Journey about the geographic faux pas about "South Detroit" in Don't Stop Believing.

So, what are your reading "deal breakers"?

Mary

Getting out of a rut

One of the problems in my career is staying fresh about library service.  Often you get into ruts, feel unloved and probably underpaid and under-appreciated.  I am lucky enough to have people in my life who have no problem saying "snap out of it" and then hand me some candy. Since not everyone has this available, here are some of my tried and true strategies for getting out of a rut and getting back to what you love. One of the first posts I drafted for Practical Librarian was about staying fresh by getting out there in library land. (Click here to read that post.) Today, I would like to suggest some strategies for those bad days when everything and everyone seems stupid.

Mental/Physical Health
Consider your energy level and ask yourself if you could be in the throws of burnout or depression.  You might need a health checkup. Consider some days off or a serious break to help you get back on track. Taking charge of your health can be a mood boost by itself. Walk outside for a few minutes and grab some fresh air.  Even in the coldest weather, I have been known to walk outside and "check" the parking lot or building to get a break and some fresh air.

Weed Something
Grant it, this works for the weeding type people more than those "resistant".  Cleaning up the collection and doing routine maintenance can give you a mental boost knowing that you have organized even a small section.  Out with the old and moldy can seem oddly refreshing.

Collect Content
Create a reading list, a read-a-like list, a pathfinder, list of websites etc.  My webmaster is always wanting more stuff for our Facebook or Twitter feed. Consider some favorites that are light in nature and fun for everyone. Maybe you aren't the only one who can use a mood boost.  Remember collection development is not just flipping through a Booklist. Think of articles on the web, funny videos, quizzes and contests and start sharing.

Shelf Read
This also works with certain library types.  You can organize and straighten up shelves as well as walk around the library.  Good for the stacks, good for security and good for patrons.  You will also feel accomplished.

These are my strategies and they might not necessarily work for you but it is important to return to your personal list of freshness strategies.  They don't have to be big plans but sometimes just taking 10 minutes to walk, think or breathe can do wonders for your attitude.

Mary