Summer reading will be starting soon, and your book displays
and lists can become part of the program. There are two themes that most public
libraries will be using: Adventure Begins at Your Library from the
Collaborative Summer Library Program and Read, Renew, Repeat from iRead.
Either theme can be used to promote your backlist and bring your collection to
your patron’s attention. Use them broadly and always include some basic
information about your summer reading program on the displays. A QR code to
your website will also help patrons find out more.
Don’t forget to take Becky Spratford’s (RA for All) advice
and put a cart of adult books in the youth programs. Most young children who
attend storytime have a caregiver with them and those adults will appreciate having
access to materials without having to bring a potentially tired or hungry child
into the adult stacks. The cart can be easily filled with fiction and non-fiction
popular titles. It can even be placed near the checkout desk or the picture
books if that makes more sense for your space. Walk the programming area as if
you were a patron and see where you can place a cart. You may find that two
carts would work better. Of course, bring youth materials into your adult
programs if you find that adults are bringing children.
Create lists or book displays that tie into your programs
for adults or youth. Try to have displays throughout your buildings. They can
market your programs and promote your collection at the same time. Some of your
social media posts about your programs can include materials from your
collection. Include smaller flyers or bookmarks about your programs in the
items you place on your displays.
One final note, encourage staff from all over your library
to help promote your summer reading. Any interaction with a patron could be a
chance to provide information about it or even to let them know it exists. Try to
have staff meetings with everyone to provide basic information. Make it
something that everyone who works in your library is invested in and excited
about.
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