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.
Personally, I don't use much social media, but I love it when libraries use interactive social media to promote various books. Indianapolis's #currentlyreading posts get a lot of traction on Facebook, often with plenty of comments, recommendations, and discussions about books. The posts are frequent enough (usually every Sunday) and I love to scroll through and see what Indy's patrons are reading; oftentimes, patrons will ask for reader's advisory as well:
It's a clever way to promote other library resources!
Additionally, I enjoy receiving new book newsletters from libraries! Promoting those books on a blog, social media site, or in a newsletter is always enjoyable (so long as it's not just the cover image)! While not fiction, I always added a list of new video games in our newsletters which always seemed to prompt patrons to call and request holds.
While it's not on my to-do list presently, I used to regularly create book displays for children and adults. Setting books to face outwards help circulation statistics as well; The most successful ones for me were the "Chopping Block" displays; the "soon-to-be-weeded" books that tugged on the hearts of patrons who didn't want those books to go away or couldn't imagine a library book that had never been checked out. I loved the use Sarah McLachlan sad dog pictures as accompanying display images. However, my displays we never behind a glass case where it seems to be the case at my newer local library (Allen County). I'm curious to how that affects circulation.
I too am not one to use social media very often, but the way IPL uses it in your example is really neat! Have you heard of other libraries doing this sort of thing, or is this a newer idea?
ReplyDeleteI took a little browse through Twitter and I didn't notice other libraries attempting it; however, Indy's similar posts on Twitter are not as successful (FB's 60+ comments versus ~7 replies on Twitter). I wonder if Indy has built up a rapport with the frequent #currentreads posts or if their patrons are more akin to Facebook.
DeleteI know of several libraries that use this kind of social media "what are you reading" type thing, although usually I've seen it on Twitter. I think it's a great tool, too!! Seattle Public Library does (did?) a similar thing and it was a librarian's job for that block of time to keep the feed updated and answered. A great way to use social media and extend beyond library patrons.
DeleteFacebook and Instagram are really popular at my library system! There are soo many ways you can play around with it! Full points!
ReplyDelete