Week 15 Prompt Response

The beauty of public libraries to me is that they have the flexibility to never be stagnant. There are always opportunities to create new displays, shift around parts of the collection/shelving, experiment with programs & clubs, and a constant intake of new materials to work with and promote. Here are some ways I would like to promote a library’s fiction collection:

1)  Inspired by last week’s prompt response, I would create a permanent display area entirely devoted to displaying genre-specific titles on a rotating, bi-weekly or monthly basis. The display would feature main tier genres and specific sub-genres. Would be helpful to rotate around in the adrenaline, intellect, landscape, and emotion genres. It offers the opportunity to highlight genres that don’t get the spotlight at much, like LGBTQ and Urban Fiction. It offers the opportunity to display all genres and subgenres in a way that’s inviting to seekers of those genres, but in a way that’s consistently changing to minimalize grumblings and complaining by patrons who happen to dislike the genres that are on display.

• This display would have signage educating users on genres by explaining key themes, appeal, tone, storylines, etc., and top “sure thing” suggestions on pamphlets and bookmarks for patrons to take with them

2)  Genre themed adult programs and/or book clubs. Throughout the class, we’ve learned that regular readers of certain genres are very dedicated audiences. I think it would be beneficial to do a survey to seek out potential interest in certain book clubs or programs based on favorite genres (or even books that were adapted into movies).

• A genre book club idea would be to meet monthly, but not have one assigned book. Patrons who participate can discuss/bring books they loved that month and have the opportunity to share them with others who love the same genre. It would be beneficial to patrons who don’t like book-sharing over social media, or for patrons who want an opportunity to have an in-person group/community.

3)  Grouped with the staff picks, have a couple shelves devoted to patron fiction book suggestions (and maybe brief reviews). When browsing in bookstores, I like spotting out the little signs with hand-written short reviews of the staff picks. This could help patron engagement through having the opportunity to contribute something to displays/service.

4)  Prominently display fiction new releases of each format (print, audiobooks, large print, books on CD, and Playaways) close to the entrance of the library.

5)  Promote fiction books available in the library’s eBook and audiobook apps. I think the current pandemic has already done this for many users, but when this is over I think patrons would be more interested to learn best practices and the extent of fiction materials the library offers digitally.

6)  Inspired by the “Don’t Talk to Me: Passive Readers’ Advisory” (Carrol, B.), I would promote/implement passive, digital readers’ advisory. Share resources in-branch on pamphlets and bookmarks, and online in regular posts with live links to library resources and outside resources (like LitHub, Goodreads, Fantastic Fiction, and more).

Final note:
I loved taking this class with all of you! I've learned about so many awesome books through reading everyone's annotations. Good luck to everyone in future library service and conducting fruitful readers' advisory!