Give people more than what they ask for I have had great success lately with a very simple thing. When people come to the desk asking for a particular book, I'll get them that book, but I'll also often suggest another one they might like. (Or, if the book they want is checked out, I'll reserve it for them but also suggest an alternative.)

Yesterday an older woman came to my desk and she didn't have the energy to go into the stacks to get the book she wanted. So I walked back to get the book, and while I was there I also pulled another book off the shelf that I thought she might enjoy. I gave them both to her and said "I really think you'll like this book too. If you do like it, come back and tell me about it and I can give you some other book ideas. But if you don't, hey, just return it! It's a library book!"

Now, some people might not want you to offer more than what they asked for -- they are so pressed for time that the idea of taking one more library book home is just overwhelming. But I've found that senior citizens, especially, are often pleased to get personalized "bonus books" when they stop by the reference desk. And since reader's advisory is something I absolutely LOVE doing, it's certainly no hardship to me!  ¶ posted by Mary Martin @ 11:09 AM