Borrow From Indie Bookstores - Market Upcoming Titles

 Libraries are not in competition with bookstores. Enthusiastic readers frequent both and a patron who tests a new to them author at the library is likely to buy that author's books at a bookstore. Develop a relationship with your local bookstores and work with them. As library workers, we can also learn from some of the great ideas that come from indie bookstores. 

One great thing I see in indie bookstores like Tombolo Books in St. Petersburg, FL and Gibson's Bookstore in Concord, NH is marketing upcoming releases with signage and an invitation to pre-order a title. They often include a blurb, a cover image, and author information. Pre-orders are an important way for a publisher to know there will be demand for an individual title. 

Assuming that a patron knows as much as we do about the library is a mistake. Library workers spend hours at the library and are familiar with its services, collection, and programs. Many patrons have a particular reason they visit the library or a way they use the building, missing things that might interest them. It's our job to highlight even the most basic services to catch those patrons who are unaware or who have forgotten about them. 

Either in a separate display or as part of the new bookshelf, create signage with upcoming titles and information about your request/holds list. Invite patrons to place holds either on their own or by asking staff for more information. Include QR codes to your OPAC or eBook collection as well. While it's understandable that bestsellers will need to be included, mix in some books that might be flying under the radar as well. 

You will need to have a workflow to change out the upcoming releases regularly as books are published and arrive at the library. Work with your acquisitions department and selectors to be aware of which titles have been ordered for your library. 

Visit indie bookstores in your neighborhood and on your travels. You will learn a lot. 

Find Inspiration in Book Store Displays

 Libraries aren't the only places to find great book displays and book lists. Independent book stores often have staff who are passionate about the books they love and clever at coming up with compelling book displays that put the focus on getting great books faced out so their customers can discover them. Take a look at your local indie bookstore or check out the websites and social media accounts of stores across the country. See how they use humor and unexpected combinations to promote and market the books in their stores. Give them credit if you borrow their ideas and include details about how your patrons can find them. 

One of my favorites is Gibson's Bookstore in Concord, NH. You can view their displays on their Instagram account for some inspiration. Their displays are book focused, clever, and memorable. One of their more genius ideas is that their past displays and curated book lists are available on their website. If a customer saw a title on a display but missed it, they can check these lists and find what they were looking for. They also have a great podcast with curated lists of the books they talk about. 

Tombolo Books in St Petersburg, FL has a number of book lists on the homepage, including an updated list of their weekly bestsellers. Beyond the NYT best sellers that you may have listed on your website or OPAC, showing patrons what's popular in your library might also be interesting for book lovers. Tombolo also hosts a number of book clubs and archives past reads so that people who have an interest in a particular topic or genre can find their next great read. Tombolo has a page devoted to staff picks. Finding someone with your taste in books can be a great way to learn about hidden gems.

Finally, there is Chicago's own Exile in Bookville. Like Tombolo, they offer a staff picks page with a lot of great backlist titles. Their past events page includes links to related books which can be a huge benefit to someone who missed an event or heard about one and is interested in the books discussed. Their page that focuses on preorders may not seem applicable for libraries but highlighting upcoming books and encouraging holds can generate interest in titles that patrons may not have heard about. It is also a way to remind patrons about your holds list. Don't forget your eBook and eAudiobook collections. 

Take time to visit your local indie bookstore and develop a relationship with them. Librarians and booksellers are natural allies!