Question:
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.
Answers:
First, I would start low-tech and low cost. Those in charge of the library and their
superiors love low cost options. Creating
a display of books, audio books, and/or DVDs can be very simple as placing books
on a table with a sign. It can be elaborated
with posters, banners, colors, lights, and even a unique display set up. I feel the key to a great library display is that
it needs to be eye catching and located in an area of high foot traffic, such
as near the front doors, circulation desk, and even the washrooms.
Below are several books displays I found on Pinterest.
A fun idea for Halloween. This is not practical for patrons to check out
the books. However, the library would
use book sale books for the props and then put horror themed books, DVDs,
graphic novels, and audio books next to them.
This display would catch your attention or you would walk
right into it! J This 3D display may or may
not work with your library depending on space, but is a great idea for getting
noticed.
This is a great idea.
Patrons can pose behind display.
Parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles could take pictures of their loved
ones as superheroes. Even us comic book
nerds would think that this is fun. Take
a large box, trace the outline, color, and cut out the whole for the
heard. Fun and very low cost. Place a table of graphic novels and super hero
movies next to the display.
My next set of ideas is to go more high-tech, but also keeping
the cost low. For my Audio Visual class
this semester I created a video advertising the new location of my library’s
graphic novel section. I wrote an
outline of the script and did all the videotaping and editing myself. I used YouTube video editor to edit the
video. If I had more time I would have
downloaded free editing software and learned how to use it. I wanted my video to start out on a serious suspenseful
note and then turn really wacky. It took
many takes and editing. Here is the
video I created: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBLweTx1WW8
With countless people use the internet on a daily basis the library
can use it to advertise, alert, and teach their patrons. Libraries are creating blogs, vlogs, screen
captures, and webpages. For my Audio
Visual class, I also created a video game event to coincide with this year’s
International Video Game Week. I made up the library (named after my dog). Here is the URL: http://dachshundlibraryvideogames.weebly.com/
For my History of the
Book and Genealogy classes I
created a website about the history of my library’s building, mural, and nature
walk. I also added more content to cover
the history of the towns three library buildings. Here is the URL: https://lowellhistoryblog.wordpress.com/
.
The last suggestion I have is very low tech, but
effective. The library can use fliers, word
of mouth, and newspapers
When a patron come to the library’s circulation desk to
check out books the library worker can inform the patron that they are putting a
flier inside one of the books highlighting the previous month’s new fiction and
non-fiction books. These fliers can also
be hung up at local community centers, schools, and businesses.
When the reference desk is helping a patron locate a novel
by a certain author they can inform the person that the library has other books
by the same author available.
The local newspaper has a community bulletin section. The library can advertise upcoming programs,
activities, and information.
I really like your display ideas, I would definitely use those ideas.
ReplyDeleteHi, I love your ideas! I have seen the 3D concept, it is being used at my local library. I like how you are trying to use low cost ways to promote fiction because it is more practical to do so. Great job!
ReplyDeletePinterest is awesome for display ideas! I really like that you put notes next to each of your examples. Upon seeing that first pictures, I immediately thought how cute it was. My next thought was that I wouldn't take a book from there because it would mess up the display. I like that you suggested using book sell books and putting books to check out around them.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like you are pretty familiar with using technology to promote things around the library! That class seems like it gave you a lot of good practice. For one of my classes (and I know another classmate has mentioned this idea), we created book trailers. Depending upon the library size, community, and resources available, that could be another good way to incorporate technology into reader's advisory. You could do book trailers for books you are reading or new books.
I like the idea of using newspapers because they could be placed at the circulation desk for patrons to pick up and browse while they are in the library. They could include a one genre for each different page, and the popular titles could include lesser-known read-a-likes that the patron would be able to enjoy. These novels could easily be annotated so that the patron wouldn't feel hesitant about picking it up because of an unknown plot. I always enjoyed the road trip display you included in this prompt response because it is a nice visual that could include titles about adventure and travel, either fiction or nonfiction.
ReplyDeleteWay to think outside of the box on some of your display ideas. These are terrific and also keeping the budget in mind. Putting read alike fliers around your library is a great idea, even in the restrooms.
ReplyDeleteGreat prompt response! Full points! I too like the different ideas! Innovative!
ReplyDelete