Jim Trelease was right. Librarians can learn a lot from book store employees. But, as I learned this weekend, the lesson is not only about how to display books in an appealing way.
After Monday's post, I didn't want people to get the idea that I had a bone to pick with Barnes & Noble. It's really the SYSTEM that I have a problem with.
I started that post talking about how the book store was bustling with people of all ages. It was truly a sight to see, after all the dismal talk about the future of books in print lately.
Anyway, I visited the same book store the week before. As I was browsing through the teen section looking for a book for StrawberryGirl (my 14-year-old), a female employee approached me and asked if I needed help. Well, being that the place was packed, I thought it was wonderful that someone actually noticed me at all.
It wasn't the fact that she asked me if I needed help, but what happened after, that impressed me the most. This woman suggested not one, but 3 or 4 books and authors for my daughter. I then started telling her that it was my 11-year-old son who really needed the help finding books, and she asked me what he usually liked.
This woman spent a lot of time with me and it became obvious very quickly that she had a true passion for children's literature. You just don't find that very often (in the real world, at least) these days.
So, here's suggestion #1 for librarians: it's important to figure out which resources you're most passionate about! Your enthusiasm will shine through if you do.
Which book of the three did GreenGuy read right away? It was the book this woman (I wish I got her name) said was a lot like The Lightning Thief (which is coming out in movie theaters soon, by the way...).
A word of caution: I haven't read this book myself, so I'd highly recommend reading the Amazon reviews before you seek it out. It's called The Night Tourist
This past Sunday, I happened to visit the same book store again, and told the employee how much my son liked one of the books she recommended. I asked her if she had any other ideas. She asked what other authors or series he liked, and again she recommended 3 books.
Well, once again, GreenGuy picked one of them up immediately. This time, it's The Name of this Book Is Secret
Which brings me to suggestion #2: If you go above and beyond the call of duty for someone, they'll be sure to seek out your help again. Added bonus: more people reading and visiting the library!
Passion means different things to different people, but I think we can all agree that without some kind of passion, life is pretty meaningless.
It's the same way with literacy and learning, too. If you teach, read, write, or share books with enthusiasm, then children will surely follow your lead.
It's all about the passion. Even in a book store. Especially in a library.
How are you sharing a passion for reading with the children in your life?
In case you missed them, here are two other related posts:
