Science Fiction - Reading assignment thoughts

The Science Fiction and Fantasy chapters were the hardest for me to understand - I had to read them twice carefully. I also thought they were the most poorly written chapters in the Text.
SF
I noted Joyce Saricks list of SF appeal factors, which hve a "twist" due to SF. She notes storyu line, frame and frame shows some uniqueness one example was time travel. Pacing was interesting -- author can use slower pacing to create the texture and ambience of another time. In SF the imaginary setting (another world, etc) is a major character in the story - so setting may be a stronger appeal factor than often weak characterizations in SF

Diversity in SF can lead to idea-oriented or adventure-oriented stories so this would be a great difference to focus on when talking with customers. How important is a fast-paced story, are you challenged by the science in the story and is scientific credibility important to you . . . As scientific discoveries and breakthroughs occur, new scientific sub-genres are born: ex. nanotech stories. So you may have readers with an interest in one type of science but not another. I think you'd have to be wary of people that might have one view or another of ethical issues related to science - the book I read describes human genetic engineering for example.

The Text made me aware of the diversity of sub-genres and this list will be useful to consult in the future for RA or displays.

Fantasy
That fantasy is a way not only to enjoy stories of an alternative world but to the reader may be a way of learning how to look inward was a slant I hadn't thought of.
Readers who like a powerful story line, use of imaginative imagery and details about this other world will enjoy fantasy. Magic and enchantment are often components in fantasy. Readers look for an "internally consistent world" Text suggested raders are examining humanity's place in an often threatening (real)world. I wonder how conscioulsy Fantasy readers are aware of such an examination.

Sounds like fantasy readers are attracted by setting - especially detailed setting, plots that include magic are attractive and storyline is important. I'm not sure how critical character is to the fantasy reader. Again, there are many sub-genres. And will the Harry Potter phenomena mean a fantasy boom for decades - have younger readers developed a lifelong love of fantasy?



Kept these questions to think about for our own library: We only break out SF.
Science Fiction and Fantasy - our online RA lesson this week is SF and Fantasy.
In your libraries, do you shelve SF and Fantasy as one GENRE collection?
do you shelve Each as their own Genre-- each is its own GENRE collection -- so there is a SF collection and a separate Fantasy collection?
or do you have a SF GENRE with Fantasy shelved in Fiction or any other configurations out there?

How does your arrangement work for the customer and for staff? What's positive about your arrangement or how would you change it?

Have other libraries that have Genre collections chosen not to have a combined SF/Fantasy genre collection nor a separate SF and/or Fantasy genre designation? SF and Fantasy in Fiction only.

Are some libraries considering a change based on the current growth in fantasy literature and readership?

Share your thoughts as a librarian or reader--what is the most customer-friendly shelving arrangement?