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After taking this course, I am now equipped with more conversational tools so that I don’t feel like I have to know about all the books in the library.
- Librarians, Library Associates, Library Technicians
- Public libraries
- Intermediate
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.
457 staff completed · 40+ services
LEARNING OUTCOMES
What staff will know, value and be able to do:
Identify readers who are open to conversation by observing body language and environmental cues in the library
Initiate conversations with readers using open questions about their reading experiences rather than specific titles or genres
Recognize the reading preferences and needs of individual readers through active listening and reflective questioning
Analyze book covers to understand their visual signals and identify suitable readers for different titles
Suggest books to readers by focusing on the reading experience rather than literary quality or personal recommendation
Demonstrate handselling techniques to match books with readers across fiction and non-fiction genres
Locate and create opportunities for reader conversations within everyday library routines and at library events
Capture and share reader comments and voices to build community engagement both in the library and online
Evaluate their role as a bridge between readers and the library collection to support discovery and reading choices
Value the importance of listening, respect for reader autonomy, and the library as a unique space for readers to take chances on new books
- 01 Who wants to talk?
- 02 Got any good books?
- 03 Where and when to talk
- 04 Sharing what readers say
How long do I have to complete the course?
You can start any time and work through the material at your own pace.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes. A certificate is issued automatically once you've completed the self-assessment.
Can my whole team take it?
Yes - bulk discounts on 10+ places. Get a team quote →
What format is the course in?
Online text with illustrated examples, interactive exercises, audio and practical exercises you complete in your own library.
How accessible are the courses?
Self-paced with adjustable text size, width and contrast, plus an audio version with read-along text in every course. More about accessibility →
What learners say
Even though I have always talked with readers and encouraged them to tell me about their reading journey, I now have an arsenal of new questions to ask that I hadn’t thought of myself. Also I look at the way we display books differently now.
Talking with readers made easy worked well for me. Being able to log on when time allowed was very useful. I am keen to revise the course once our restructure has taken place and share ideas from it with the team. I look forward to signing up for future Opening the Book courses.
$70.00
per place
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