Week 14 Prompt

Depending on the library layout, demographics, etc. there can be multiple ways to market a library's fiction collection. When you are in a library, there are subtle and loud displays that catch your attention in different ways. Maybe it is an end cap display with only five books on the Royal Family. Maybe it is a huge table display of this past year's New York Times bestselling titles and authors. Perhaps it is even an RA booth with a librarian ready to give you some fantastic fiction recommendations. The possibilities are endless.

Personally, I love doing book displays. Some of my favorite displays that I have seen and helped create are ones with a specific and narrow focus. However, there is a right way to go about filling a display. According to Saricks (2005), "we do not display just any book that happens to fall within the theme; we try to be more discriminating. Readers grow to trust the quality of the books we put on display, so we make a point of selecting them carefully" (p. 142). I would love to do a display on "Books about Books" with adult fiction titles. There are so many great options that are specific to this theme. By selecting good books that fit a specific theme, readers who take these picks will trust and look forward to future displays with an equally carefully curated display. 

Another thing I love that can promote a fiction collection is a book discussion group. According to Saricks (2005), "no public library can afford not to offer an opportunity for patrons to gather to discuss books, both fiction and nonfiction" (p. 157). I think one of the main reasons I love book discussions is that there is no limit to what you can do with them. This does not have to be your run of the mill discussion in a stuffy room. Take the discussion outside, or to a park, or even to a bar. Invite an author to come speak, either in person or digitally. Personally, I would love to do a book chat at my local plant conservatory for a nature read like Where The Crawdads Sing. Done correctly and with enthusiasm, this strategy can definitely boost a library's fiction collection.

Finally, something that I have not really thought about before is bookmarks. Using bookmarks strategically can definitely help boost a library's fiction circulation. However, this would have to be done correctly by having a narrow focus and being proofread multiple times. According to Saricks (2005), "bookmarks with a narrow-enough focus are Locked-Room Mysteries and If You Like [Author's Name], Try These" (p. 144). I would like to do something like this with bookmarks for science fiction and fantasy readers. By putting bookmarks in big name authors like Andy Weir, Brandon Sanderson, or George R.R. Martin with smaller read-alike authors, it could potentially help boost those other author's books circulation within the fiction collection. 

References

Saricks, J. (2005) Promoting and marketing readers’ advisory collections and services. Readers’ Advisory Service in the Public Library. ALA. 136-160.