Continue your trial Course login

Library Training Courses

Public Library Courses

Elementary School Courses

High School Courses
Buy for a team

Empower your library team to do more

Leverage our learning platform to upskill your library team today. Assign different courses to individual staff so you can reach your learning goals and library objectives more effectively.

More info
Fieldwork-heroes
Outcomes

Helping libraries around the world

Opening the Book courses will inspire individual staff and whole services to meet the challenges of the modern library. Over the last 16 years 20,000 staff have taken our training courses in many different countries; courses gain 99% satisfaction ratings from users.

What our learners say
Authors
Support
Contact
FAQs

Talking with Patrons about Books

What do you say when someone asks you for a good read? A practical course to get you more comfortable with starting book conversations and more confident in making reading suggestions. You don’t have to be a big reader yourself, or have lots of book knowledge; it’s all about learning to listen and using your patrons as a creative resource.

Was $95.00

$70.00 per place

Pay by invoice or by Paypal, credit or debit card.

Buy for a team

For librarians, library associates, library technicians

Time:

4 hours online plus time to test out the ideas.

Assessment:

The learner completes self-assessment exercises online and posts contributions to the discussion board which is mediated by Opening the Book.

Course contents

Part 1: Who wants to talk?

Part 1: Who wants to talk?

What you will be doing
Your role in the library
The value of the library service
What do readers want?
Approaching patrons
Conversation openers
Practise with a colleague
Practical work

Part 2: Got any good books?

Part 2: Got any good books?

Making suggestions
Likes and dislikes
Reading grooves
I’m looking for a good read
Knowing what’s available
Judging the cover
Age appeal
Handselling
Moving into non-fiction
Hunting the experience

Part 3: Where and when to talk

Part 3: Where and when to talk

Being comfortable, feeling safe
Finding places to talk in the library
Listening well
Writing it down
Building a routine
Finding opportunities at events
Visiting a book group

Part 4: Sharing what readers say

Part 4: Sharing what readers say

Spreading the words
Starting a buzz in the library
Be a reading activist
Measuring the impact you have
The quiz
Self-assessment
Thank you
Credits

More Public Library training courses

Merchandising Library Shelves

Merchandising Library Shelves

$140.00

Dynamic Readers’ Advisory

Dynamic Readers’ Advisory

$140.00

Creating Powerful Displays

Creating Powerful Displays

$140.00

Managing First Impressions

Managing First Impressions

$140.00

Audience Development

Audience Development

$345.00

Animating the Collection

Animating the Collection

$345.00

Observation Research

Observation Research

$345.00

Practical Outreach

Practical Outreach

$345.00