Library staff juggle a lot: helping patrons, managing collections, troubleshooting technology, keeping programs running, and doing hundreds of small tasks that make a library feel welcoming. With all that going on, finding time to build new skills can feel like a luxury.
That’s exactly why we created Learn with NoveList in the first place: to give library workers practical, flexible learning that fits into real schedules. And this week, we’re excited to share something new that makes professional growth even more tangible. We’ve launched the Introduction to Readers’ Advisory Certification, a brand‑new way for staff to demonstrate their expertise in recommending books.
Why a Readers’ Advisory Certification?
Readers’ advisory is one of the most meaningful services libraries offer. Helping someone find the right book at the right moment can spark joy, build trust, and deepen a patron’s connection to the library.
Readers’ advisory thrives when staff feel confident. When they know how to talk about books. When they understand what readers are looking for. When they have tools they can rely on.
The certification also complements the recently released Readers' Advisory Competencies framework, helping staff build and demonstrate foundational skills that support excellent advisory services.
By helping staff build confidence, the certification gives libraries a great starting point for investing in their reading culture.
What’s Inside the Certification
The certification is built around a curated set of Learn with NoveList courses that cover the essentials of modern readers’ advisory. Here’s what learners complete:
- Introduction to Readers’ Advisory Certification: A quick overview of the certification and history of readers’ advisory
- Understanding Your Reader: How to Recommend the Right Book at the Right Time: A deep dive into how readers choose books and how staff can make thoughtful, personalized recommendations
- Using Story Elements with Readers: A practical guide to using appeal factors and story elements to match readers with books they’ll love
- Be Genre Confident: How to Recommend Books in the Eight Most Challenging Genres: A confidence‑boosting course that helps staff navigate genres that often feel intimidating
- How to Circulate More Books with Smart Merchandising: Tips and strategies for creating displays and booklists that get books moving.
Once learners complete all required courses and pass the final assessment, they earn two things: a certificate of completion to download and a digital badge that they can share on LinkedIn or other professional platforms. These items are a tangible way for staff to demonstrate their expertise to colleagues, supervisors, and the broader library community.
Designed for Libraries
If you manage staff, you already know how important it is to support professional development. But you also know how hard it can be to find training that is practical and easy to schedule.
Because the certification is self-paced, staff can work through it in small chunks, during slower desk shifts, between tasks, or as part of scheduled professional development time.
And because the courses are short, friendly, and concrete, staff don’t feel overwhelmed. They feel supported.
One recommendation we’ve heard from our community is that this is an opportunity to assign cohorts of staff who go through the certification together, building in time for discussion and reflection. We think that’s a great idea!
Ready to Explore?
If you’re already a Learn with NoveList customer, you can log in today and check out the new certification. It’s ready for you.
If you’re not yet using Learn with NoveList, this is a great moment to take a look at a demo. We’d love an opportunity to show you exactly what our learning platform is all about: practical training, friendly guidance, and real support for the work library staff do every day.
Log in, explore, and see what your staff can accomplish next.
Danielle Borasky is the Vice President of NoveList. She is currently reading Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner.