Displays - at our branch my coworker is in charge of a display, and we give suggestions if needed, for both fiction and non-fiction. We don't have one display set aside specifically for random fiction that rotates. But no matter the books that are displayed, it generally circulates well and is a good place to showcase different genres.
We also have a half wall with shelves that holds all the new fiction, including Large Print titles, right next to the general fiction section. These titles stay on for a year, and then are added into the general collection afterwards. (We have a new non-fiction shelf, as well, obviously, by the non-fiction section.) Some patrons go straight to the New Fiction shelf and just take titles from there, whether it's because they have read the older titles or it's exciting because the books are dubbed "new".
Another display we have is the most anticipated, or popular books, that are our 7 Day Books. These books have a paper band marking them as such, so it's very visible. Rather than having them checked out for the "normal" two weeks, these are titles from authors like Patterson, Evanovich, and Steel that may have 50+ or more holds on them. These 7 Day Books cannot have requests put on them, and are not renewable. They have higher fines if overdue, so that determines whether some patrons are willing to possibly be late, or can finish the book within a week. As soon as we check these books in, we put them on the shelf immediately, and they fly off the shelves. Many patrons have holds on these books and they act like they are winning something grand when they can get a 7 Day book and don't have to wait. Depending on the circulation of the 7 Day Books, they will be taken off that shelf within 6 months and added in the general collection.
Booklists - many of our booklists are outdated. I am in the process of updating some of the genre lists, and hope that after the print lists are done, then our webpages will be updated, too. Having booklists in bookmark form, or even a printed half-page or page, where patrons can see and pick one up has been helpful in the past. Even having them at the circ desk, even if not on display, is great for library workers who may blank out when trying to think of an author or title to suggest. When we have bookmarks, they are taken quickly, and many times patrons request for titles that are on them immediately after looking the bookmark over.
Book Clubs and Summer Reading - in our staff meetings the issue of how to get people to read more has been discussed thoroughly. While Book Clubs are great, patrons may not know who is hosting one (if it's not library sponsored), nor may they have the time to go to the meeting. Our library has always had a good turnout for the children's, and even teen, summer reading programs, but I think it would be beneficial to target adults. A librarian from another branch in my system sent this link, and I think it may be helpful to remind the people that make financial decisions that programs like these should be allotted funds, and womanpower to make them happen.
http://www.infotoday.com/mls/apr99/story.htm
Summer reading programs for adults is a great idea. My library includes adults in the summer reading program. Every book that an adult patron reads is logged in the computer and the first patrons to reach certain milestones get gift cards. At the end of the summer, there is a grand prize of a bag of free books for a randomly selected patron that participated. This program is a hit with our patrons, especially since we have a lot of regulars who read a bag full of books a week.
ReplyDeleteFor the summer reading program one way to include adults is to allow them to get points for reading to kids or listening while kids read to them. This has seemed to be a popular option at Indy PL. (It also boosts the participation levels somewhat.) Over the years, the way that adults redeem prizes has changed, and I'm not sure how that will work out this year. (Occasionally some prizes have had restrictions.)
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