The library I work at, while awesome on many ways, is sadly deficient in encouraging browsing. It is an open plan so there is not a lot of wall space for posters and things like that. We have a couple of display areas but not near the fiction. It could definitely be made more welcoming to browsers in general, and I would like to implement some of the ideas I have learned in this course to appeal to readers. These three ideas I think would have the most impact.
1. Signs- I think a simple sign like suggested in the Saricks chapter, "Looking for a Good Read? Ask here for Help" or something would at least let people know that librarians do that. I think a lot of people are intimidated by approaching us for assistance in finding a good book. A sign welcoming their inquiries would help break the ice. In fact, we could do with a lot more signs through the whole library. The nonfiction collection is awesome, but the ends of the shelves are labeled with only the Dewey number range they contain. Adding signs like "Cookbooks", "DIY", "Gardening", etc. would make it much more appealing and easier for patrons, who usually don't know that cookbooks are in the 640s, to navigate.
2. Displays- If we could get taller shelves for the fiction, it would give us more shelf space for the collection, as well as give us more space to put those end-of-shelf units we could use to showcase various authors, genres, topics, etc. Since the collection as it is does not inspire browsing, little displays every shelf or two would bring to the attention of patrons something they may have missed. I also like the idea of having a display of reading suggestions near the entrance and at both the reference and circulation desks, even if it is just a book truck with 30 or so selections. Right now the only display we have is the ends of the new book shelves, which are placed not at the entrance where they should be, but clear across the library by the nonfiction. Not conducive to Reader's Advisory efforts.
3.Bookmarks- We have lots of bookmarks for other library advertisement, but I think it would be better if most of those things were kept to the (few) poster displays we have, and RA bookmarks were added to them. At least half of the bookmarks offered should be RA. Lists of favorite series in order, similar authors/titles, what to read while you wait for, would all be popular with our patrons.The book marks are a favorite with readers of all ages at the circ desk, so I think this is an awesome way to reach our readers and let them know what we can help them with. This would be something that would be quick and easy for patrons to take and peruse at their leisure, and relatively easy for us to keep up with and keep fresh.
The sign is a great idea. We always have things we are working on while at the desk and I think some patrons hesitate to ask for assistance. However, it's hard to ask everyone who walks by the desk if they need assistance. I find more patrons approach me when I am off desk and working on a project in the library. I think a sign would make patrons more comfortable asking for help.
ReplyDeleteHi Paula!
ReplyDeleteThese are all really good ideas. I think signs are something a lot of us forget about. The fiction in the library where I work is all lined along a back wall, which is all windows, so I'm in that boat, too. However, I think we could do some small shifting to fit in signs.
As I've been thinking about it, we have almost no areas for displays for our adult fiction! We have one section, which faces away from where most patrons look and that's mostly it, except for a table that's brought out every now and then. I'm going to have to start thinking of ways we could do more displays at my branch and discuss them with the librarian. I, too, like the idea "of having a display of reading suggestions near the entrance and at both the reference and circulation desks, even if it is just a book truck with 30 or so selections." We do this for movies, but it would be good to do with books, as well. Something that's sad is that people assume our low circ numbers mean our patrons don't like to read. Maybe we're just marketing our collection wrong. Maybe something simple like this could help our patrons find what they're looking for.
Also, I agree 100% with the bookmarks idea.
Thanks!
Stefany