Checklist For Monthly Book Displays

 I strongly encourage you to develop a plan in advance for what displays and lists you will put up for each month. They will be less daunting and it will allow you to distribute the task of setting them up among library staff. This will also allow for double-checking to make certain that the titles you will include are diverse and that you avoid perennial best selling authors who don't need our help promoting their books. 

There are a few steps that you can follow every month to start your planning. 

• What programs for adults, teens, and children are planned? Book displays can be used to promote your program as well as market your backlist to patrons. Include signage and flyers about the programs. 
  
  
• Does your local government (city, county, village, township...) have any events that you can promote with a book display? Make a list of your digital titles that relate and link to the page online that has details about the event. 
  
  
• Are there national holidays or days of celebration/commemoration? Planning in advance will let you order more titles if your collection is missing youth or adult materials. 
  
  
• LibraryReads is a national monthly list, voted on by library workers, which represents the titles that were most anticipated. (Here's an infographic which explains how it works.) It's not a best of list but instead is more of a buzz list. The list is released before the start of each month. It's a great way to promote your holds list. (Remember that not all patrons know about all of your services.) Link to the list on your social media and to your digital book collections. If you are a public library worker, I encourage you to vote. You can register at Netgalley  or Edelweiss  for access to advance reader copies. 
  
  
• Are there new services or resources at your library that should be promoted? Use book displays to show off a new database or public service!

Remember of course that your leadership team may have things that they want you to prioritize so checking in with them is a good idea. 

These may all not be applicable every month or you may have limited space and can only put up a few in the building. But book displays can be lists on your library blog, newsletter, or social media. They can also be bookmarks and flyers that your patrons pick up in your building or elsewhere in your community.