An easy way to get a jump start on a display is to take some of the lists that are put online and adapt them to your collection. Just borrow the title and see what fits that you already have on the shelf. Book displays are a marketing device for your collection and not a test. I am going to try to list a few each week, along with any advice for adapting them.
For this week, we have -
Booklist remains one of the sites that I check constantly. They feature great reviews and there is a focus on books, readers, and readers advisory.
Spanish Sure Bets for Adult Readers: Summer 2025.
Spanish Sure-Bets for Youth.
Personally, I find lists like this very helpful when I'm helping patrons who want books in Spanish beyond English language bestsellers in translation. Essentials: Head over Heels for Heartstopper.
Lists like this are why Booklist is so helpful. From their description "Readers who have read every page of Nick and Charlie’s story and are looking for more will appreciate the following titles, which feature some or all of the characteristics that make Heartstopper such a blockbuster: sweet romance, realistically grounded emotions, and lengthened pacing that lingers on quiet, meaningful moments." The parts in italics are the sort of features you should look for in books to put on a display like this. A great book display can be built just on books that have similar vibes to a popular series. Top 10 Manga for Adults and Older Teens.
If you don't have these titles or they are checked out and popular in your library, check with the manga fans on staff. They will likely have suggestions.
Once Upon a Book Club has a list for July 30 which was apparently National Paperback Day. If you missed it, don't worry about waiting 12 months. Instead, set up a display of "Paperbacks You Might Have Missed" or "Paperback Titles for Your Staycation" and set up your display.
Cozy Mystery List Blog is sort of a cheat but it's always one of the most popular resources I mention in trainings. My favorite part of their site is Cozy Mysteries by Theme. There are cozies about almost everything. One idea to pull from the site is to check the mysteries by state and set up a display of cozies from your state.
San Jose Public Library has a list called Summer Learning: YA Summer Romances. Again, don't worry about the specific titles. See what you have that could use some attention in your library. Move the display away from your YA collection so that readers who don't know about how great your collection is can discover it!
Summerween is now a thing. The Lineup focuses on backlist titles. They have a list of 8 Books to Get You Into the Summerween Spirit. There are so many of these lists if you search for books for summerween, you will see lists from publishers and blogs as well as lists for adults, teens, and children. The truth is that any suspense or horror book can be on these displays.
As a contrast to Summerween, you could match it up with a Christmas in July and get some more checkouts from your holiday books. I would call it Winter in July to make it more inclusive and open it up to any cozy winter books. Briar Black has a Christmas in July (But Make it Dark) list that defeats that idea.
Essentials: Head over Heels for Heartstopper.
Lists like this are why Booklist is so helpful. From their description "Readers who have read every page of Nick and Charlie’s story and are looking for more will appreciate the following titles, which feature some or all of the characteristics that make Heartstopper such a blockbuster: sweet romance, realistically grounded emotions, and lengthened pacing that lingers on quiet, meaningful moments." The parts in italics are the sort of features you should look for in books to put on a display like this. A great book display can be built just on books that have similar vibes to a popular series.
Lists like this are why Booklist is so helpful. From their description "Readers who have read every page of Nick and Charlie’s story and are looking for more will appreciate the following titles, which feature some or all of the characteristics that make Heartstopper such a blockbuster: sweet romance, realistically grounded emotions, and lengthened pacing that lingers on quiet, meaningful moments." The parts in italics are the sort of features you should look for in books to put on a display like this. A great book display can be built just on books that have similar vibes to a popular series.
Top 10 Manga for Adults and Older Teens.
If you don't have these titles or they are checked out and popular in your library, check with the manga fans on staff. They will likely have suggestions.
If you don't have these titles or they are checked out and popular in your library, check with the manga fans on staff. They will likely have suggestions.
Once Upon a Book Club has a list for July 30 which was apparently National Paperback Day. If you missed it, don't worry about waiting 12 months. Instead, set up a display of "Paperbacks You Might Have Missed" or "Paperback Titles for Your Staycation" and set up your display.
Cozy Mystery List Blog is sort of a cheat but it's always one of the most popular resources I mention in trainings. My favorite part of their site is Cozy Mysteries by Theme. There are cozies about almost everything. One idea to pull from the site is to check the mysteries by state and set up a display of cozies from your state.
San Jose Public Library has a list called Summer Learning: YA Summer Romances. Again, don't worry about the specific titles. See what you have that could use some attention in your library. Move the display away from your YA collection so that readers who don't know about how great your collection is can discover it!
Summerween is now a thing. The Lineup focuses on backlist titles. They have a list of 8 Books to Get You Into the Summerween Spirit. There are so many of these lists if you search for books for summerween, you will see lists from publishers and blogs as well as lists for adults, teens, and children. The truth is that any suspense or horror book can be on these displays.
As a contrast to Summerween, you could match it up with a Christmas in July and get some more checkouts from your holiday books. I would call it Winter in July to make it more inclusive and open it up to any cozy winter books. Briar Black has a Christmas in July (But Make it Dark) list that defeats that idea.
