Prompt #9 - Marketing the Fiction Collection

I currently don’t work in any library setting, but I’m pretty happy with the way my local library displays its fiction collection.  I don’t think I would change anything right now (but then again, I’m not known for my imagination or creativity). My library is currently under renovation and with it closed due to COVID, I’m sure there will be new policies in place when it reopens which might affect the way collections are displayed.  There are several ways the fiction collection can be ‘marketed’ - displays, bookmarks, poster/banner, spinal labels/stickers, carts/bins, book talks/ clubs, or digitally (blogs, vlogs, podcasts, social media [Twitter, FaceBook, Pinterist, Instagram, GoodReads, or Tumblr]). Many of the ideas for the marketing of the fiction collection are inspired by the ALA’s list of Celebration Weeks & Promotional Events.  Since these are national events, many promotional items are already created and thus will be cost efficient for the library and can also make it easier for patrons who visit more than one library.

1. Bookmarks - This is a great and fairly cheap way to promote the various types of fiction books, TV shows, movies, music, periodicals, video and boardgames. These can be used to promote specific genres, ‘most requested’, seasonal, and bundles. They should be small, light, and sturdy enough to slip within a book, game, or disc cover when said resource is checked out. Bookmarks can also be placed at strategic locations within the library to catch the patron’s attention. These are designed to be taken home for further perusal because most have pertinent information regarding the title of the bookmark.  A few examples are listed below.
• Genre specific novels - Young Adult, New Adult, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Suspense/Thriller, Western, SciFi/Fantasy, Inspirational, Urban, Comics/Graphic Novels, LGBTQ
• Genre specific Movies/TV shows (Thematic) - Suspense, Drama, Comedy, YA, Chick Flick, Comic Based, International
• Subject/Special Day/Week/Month -  President’s Day, MLK Day, Teen Tech Week, Freedom of Information Day, Money Smart Week, Preservation Week, Earth Day, LGBTQ Book Month, Banned Books Week, International Games Week, International (Women) Authors Month, Black History Month, Women’s History Month, National Poetry Month
• 'Most Requested" - novel, author, movie, TV Show, documentary, music artist, book series, audiobook
• Bundle Collections - list of novels and movies and/or music that tie in together
2. Displays - This is another great but even cheaper way to promote the fiction collection in the same way bookmarks are used.  Whereas bookmarks are a small list of resources to be taken home, displays are large, bold, and updated as resources are checked out. Depending on how detailed a bookmark is, it can only have a few items on it; a display can have up to 20-30 items. “The key {to a good display} is to make sure that enough good titles are available beyond the first twenty so that the display can be properly stocked for the expected time it will run” (Saricks, 2005, p.141). Displays should be easy to put together and take apart; it can be on a flat or tiered table, tiered or rotating stand, or anything.  The examples of displays are the same as those above for bookmarks. However, a ‘most requested’ display would be difficult to maintain.
3. Book Clubs - These have become very popular over the past several years and libraries would be remiss not to include them in their programming.  Many authors and publishers even have discussion questions at the end of their books for the purpose of a book club.  Most clubs are led by a staff librarian and discuss one book the entire time.  Others have a theme and allow the attendees to decide what they will read within the theme (like the one I attended for this class, see my post).  Some meet at the library, whereas others meet at a pub, coffee place or restaurant.  Clubs that meet elsewhere are an excellent way to market not only the club but the library itself as it can attract others to join the club or go to the library later.

Works Cited:

Saricks, J. (2005). Promoting and Marketing Readers’ Advisory Collections and Services. Readers’ Advisory Service in the Public Library. Chicago: ALA. 136-160.

Reference:

Celebration Weeks & Promotional Events. (Mar. 29, 2007). American Library Association.