Part of the secret of a solid merchandising plan for your collection, services, and programs is to not wait until right before you need to set up a physical or digital display. Most libraries have some regular programming that reoccurs on a schedule as well as services that remain constant. I advise that libraries set up a monthly schedule for displays. This approach also allows for establishing a rotation to encourage many members of your staff to participate as well as every part of your library.
Depending upon what works better for your library, you can use a physical planner, set up an online calendar, or even use a spreadsheet or notebook. Starting with January, list the holidays and cultural awareness events that your library will promote, including local and state events. Note any special programs. Decide which regular programs you will promote with a book display. Finally, leave some spots for staff to be creative and develop their own ideas.
Decide when different displays will be put up and taken down. You will also need to coordinate with your web and social media teams if you want to mirror displays there or save some for digital only. Work with the managers and supervisors in your library to gauge staff interest in participating. Once you have decided who will develop which displays, you can start in on February.
I would develop a plan for at least the first three months of the year. You can go forward with the rest of the year, with the understanding that your board, county, city, or other stakeholders could make a request. Sometimes there are significant events or pop culture phenomenon which you will want to use to market your collection. As with everything in a library, things change and we should always be ready for surprises.
Please reach out if you would be interested in training on setting up a merchandising calendar or on book displays and passive readers advisory more broadly.
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