A great readers' advisory interaction might begin with a simple question: "What have you read lately that you loved?" But the conversation that follows can do much more than help someone find their next book. It can build relationships, encourage discovery and strengthen a library's connection to its community.
How can libraries make these meaningful interactions a consistent part of their services?
That question was at the heart of a recent NoveList webinar featuring public library professionals who helped develop the new Readers' Advisory Competencies, a framework designed to help libraries strengthen staff skills and build a culture of reading.
Watch the Readers' Advisory Competencies webinar recording
The panel shared practical insights, personal experiences and ideas for bringing readers' advisory into everyday library work. Here are a few highlights from the discussion.
- Why Readers' Advisory Matters More Than Ever
- You Don't Have to Read Everything to Be a Great Readers' Advisor
- Readers' Advisory Happens Beyond the Service Desk
- A Framework Libraries Can Make Their Own
- Where Can Your Library Start?
Why Readers' Advisory Matters More Than Ever
Libraries provide much more than books, but connecting people with stories remains central to their mission.
Stephanie Topping, Information, Resources and Connections Leader at Niagara Falls Public Library, emphasized that readers' advisory is fundamentally about people.
"Readers' advisory is really about relationships. RA turns transactional experiences at the library, like checking out a book, into meaningful human interactions. It's a connective practice that creates a deep engagement with readers."
Topping explained that the new competencies can help libraries move beyond treating readers' advisory as an informal activity. They provide a shared vocabulary, support professional development and help organizations establish consistent expectations.
Importantly, readers' advisory isn't limited to staff who regularly recommend books. Everyone has a part to play.
"Readers' advisory is everyone's role at the library," Topping said.
You Don't Have to Read Everything to Be a Great Readers' Advisor
One of the biggest challenges for library staff is keeping up with the enormous range of books, genres and media available to readers.
Kaite Stover, Director of Reader Services at Kansas City Public Library, offered a reassuring perspective: "You will never have enough, but you are enough. Because we can't read, watch, listen to everything."
Rather than expecting staff to know every book or emerging trend, Stover encouraged libraries to build knowledge through curiosity, conversation and collaboration.
Her advice? Start by talking about what you're already reading, watching and listening to. Discuss what you enjoy and why. Listen to colleagues whose interests differ from yours.
These informal exchanges help staff develop the vocabulary and confidence needed for successful readers' advisory conversations.
Stover also explored how understanding readers' motivations, whether entertainment, learning or personal connection, can help staff make more meaningful recommendations.
Watch the webinar to hear how Stover encourages her team to share their interests and continually expand their knowledge.
Readers' Advisory Happens Beyond the Service Desk
Not every readers' advisory interaction requires a face-to-face conversation.
Dodie Ownes, Adult Services Librarian at Denver Public Library, discussed promotional advisory, which helps readers discover materials through displays, reading lists, blogs and other forms of outreach.
"We have so, so many opportunities to engage our customers through all the formats that we carry in the library. Not only does it give customers multiple entry points to discover our collections and services, it allows for staff with a huge variety of skills to engage with them."
Ownes emphasized that staff bring different strengths to readers' advisory. Someone who loves audiobooks may have valuable insights about narrators, while a colleague who enjoys writing might create engaging reading lists or blog posts.
She also shared examples of how Denver Public Library uses personalized reading lists to connect with readers and help staff practice their advisory skills.
The takeaway? Libraries can create more opportunities for discovery by recognizing the diverse interests and abilities of their teams.
A Framework Libraries Can Make Their Own
The Readers' Advisory Competencies cover eight interconnected areas, including story and media knowledge, relational advisory, promotional advisory, collection awareness and collaboration.
Each area includes core, advanced and expert skill levels, giving staff opportunities to develop their abilities over time.
But the framework isn't intended to be a rigid checklist.
Throughout the webinar, panelists emphasized that libraries should adapt the competencies to their own staffing, community needs and organizational priorities.
Autumn Friedli, Program Services Coordinator at Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, shared how everyday activities, from browsing collections to observing how patrons discover books, can help staff strengthen their advisory skills.
The panel also discussed how libraries are incorporating the competencies into staff training, service planning and organizational strategies.
Where Can Your Library Start?
Building a culture of readers' advisory doesn't happen overnight. It develops through everyday conversations, shared knowledge and a commitment to connecting people with stories.
Whether your library is establishing a readers' advisory program or strengthening an existing one, the competencies offer a starting point for staff development and discussion.
Want to hear more? Watch the full webinar recording to explore all eight competency areas, hear real-world examples from the panelists and discover ideas you can adapt for your library.