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Prompt Response 9

What do you think are the best ways to market your library's fiction collection? Name and describe three ways you do or would like to market your library or your future library's fiction. These can be tools, programs, services, displays - anything that you see as getting the word out.


I agree with Saricks that displays are one of the best ways to market the collection. I work in the children’s department and I change the bulletin board monthly and find corresponding books (This month is Earth Day themed) as well as rotate the big display monthly (This month is Fantasy/Fairy Tales). I change the smaller displays too based on what holiday/ special day/ awareness month is happening (National Poetry Month and Passover & Easter!). Book displays for adults could also be as simple as what Saricks mentioned- good books you may have missed- or could be themed. I think displays are effective when they tie into pop culture, holidays, or other interesting things happening locally or nationally.

Another effective way to market the collection is with read alike lists. These can be printed on bookmarks, posted as a blog post, or sent out to subscribers as an email blast. Basically the idea for these to be effective is to provide books that are read alikes for popular titles. The hold lists for Becoming by Michelle Obama, The Library Book by Susan Orlean, and Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens all have huge waitlists rights now at my library. A read alike book list for these titles will give patrons something to read while they wait for their holds to come in. Read alike lists have the advantage of being printed or electronic.

The final idea for marketing the fiction collection that I have is a boutique reader’s advisory service. Basically the idea is a book discussion group, nursing home, homeschool group, or an individual could fill out a form and have a book chosen for their group by the librarian. This can be as small or as big as the library wants. The librarian could choose some books for the group and let word of mouth do the advertising for them. The library could also print bookmarks, put a header on their website, or put flyers up advertising the service. This one is certainly more time and staff intensive than the other two suggestions but if all goes well it could not only advertise the collection but help strengthen ties between the library and various community groups.


References: Saricks, J. (2005) Promoting and marketing readers’ advisory collections and services. In Readers’ Advisory Service in the Public Library. Chicago: ALA. 136-160. [Files - Canvas]

Comments

  1. Laura HuddlestonApril 17, 2019 at 5:34 PM

    I just love displays! April has so many opportunities for children's displays, as you mentioned. The boutique RA service sounds really fun and helpful as both a marketing tool and community outreach service. It's great when a service has multiple purposes like this!

    ReplyDelete
  2. JasonApril 19, 2019 at 4:52 PM

    Hi Caitlyn! I really like your idea of having a boutique readers advisory service. My library delivers titles for patrons residing in our local nursing homes. Having a readers advisory form for them could really expand their options. Very cool!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Rebecca April 20, 2019 at 2:26 PM

    Hi,
    We have services for our homebound patrons, and I can see how your boutique RA service could be adapted for marginalized residents in any public library service areas. What a great way to show the library's commitment to its community!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Caitlyn TobinApril 25, 2019 at 1:58 PM

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. Caitlyn TobinApril 25, 2019 at 2:00 PM

      Gah typos!

      The idea for that one came from a program my library recently started. We used to have homebound services but that ended a couple years ago. Now, one of the branch managers distributes filled out forms to the reader's advisors and based on that info they pick books for users who can't come to the library. Expanding this to include local book clubs, homeschool groups, or more could make the program limitless!

      Delete
  4. Erin CataldiApril 23, 2019 at 7:05 AM

    Boutique RA service - what a wonderful way to word it! I love it (I may steal that term from you!). Great ideas and full points!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Caitlyn TobinApril 25, 2019 at 2:00 PM

      Gotta have a bougie title to draw in patrons ;)

      Delete

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