Library Journal is here to remind us that when a movie the The Odyssey catches patrons' attention, we can use that interest to help draw attention to library collections. On August 5, they featured stories set in ancient times for fans of The Odyssey. The post includes a link to a spreadsheet with more titles than featured on their graphic. Don't do extra work when journals help you out with features like this.
A regular Library Journal feature that is worth reviewing is their Read-Alikes for titles with top holds in public libraries. One example is Read-Alikes for ‘Whistler’ by Ann Patchett .
They provide three read-alikes:
Lake Effect by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney (Ecco)
This Is Not About Us: Fiction by Allegra Goodman (Dial)
Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite (Doubleday)
While this is not enough for a large display, this could certainly make for a pop-up display on a service desk for for a smaller display if your library lacks space. If you take these three books, you can look for read-alikes for these three and turn it into a bigger display.
Keep an eye out for this feature and use it as a fill-in and to advertise your holds list. Patrons can find a great read while they wait for the hottest book. Create a sign that says "While You Wait for Whistler" and create a QR code to your online catalog. You can possibly inspire patrons to deep dive into your catalog and to place more holds.
Yesterday, I spent most of the day catching up at work because I was on leave for several days. We return to day with an idea from Library Journal!
One of my favorite features in Library Journal is their Display Shelf. They assemble books related to a theme and include a link to a spreadsheet with titles. The landing page does feature some of the titles, faced out. The current theme is summerween - for those readers who can't wait for spooky season. I would suggest that for many readers, it's always spooky season. You can search their site for previous themes and use them for inspiration when you need an idea.
Borrow the layout and then you can include the display on your social media. The titles below include several that I have reviewed and given stars to including:
Molka by Monika Kim
It came from Neverland by Cynthia Pelayo
Bodies of Work by Clay McLeod Chapman
Beyond reading for pleasure, I review for both Booklist and Library Journal. Here are some of my recent reviews:
I recommend both of these sites and publications for both readers advisory and collection development purposes. They are a fantastic way to keep in touch with what is popular and what is trending. If your library doesn't subscribe, ask that they do.
Published March 1 by Booklist: Neurotica by Maxwell I. Gold from Shortwave Press
https://www.booklistonline.com/products/9819174. Starred Review
Comps: Stephanie Wytovich or Cynthia Pelayo
Published February 1 by Booklist: The Spoil by Maile Chapman from Graywolf
https://www.booklistonline.com/products/9818773
Comps: I will add these as soon as I can
Published February 6 by Library Journal: Molka by Monika Kim from Erewhon Starred Review
https://www.libraryjournal.com/review/molka-100008120
Comps: Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado or My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Published February 6 by Library Journal: Odessa by Gabrielle Sher from Little, Brown Starred Review
https://www.libraryjournal.com/review/odessa-100008109
Comps: The World That We Knew by Alice Hoffman or The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
I won't republish the reviews here and I will try to do a better job of adding more information to my Goodreads page with more details than can be in print. I did list my comps for the titles to give you some idea.
As I have mentioned before, there is no reason to reinvent the wheel when it comes to book displays or finding ideas. Both Booklist and Library Journal regularly have ideas you can borrow and reshape to fit your own library's needs. While it may not be up to you if your library subscribes or not to either or both, even the headline of an article can help you with book display ideas.
Library Journal has a feature called Display Shelf on their website. Often curated by Editor Melissa DeWild, these shelves are a great way to get ideas about what kind of fiction and non-fiction displays your library can put up. Don't feel pressure to include every book they have up; use the idea as a jumping off point and search your own collection for titles that will work.
Booklist has articles on Essential reads in a particular subgenre or subject. There are also trend alerts which include books with subjects like Love & Sports. Even if you don't subscribe, you can be inspired by the titles of these lists. Booklist Online is not as expensive as other library databases so I would encourage you to inquire about an institutional subscription. It's a great resource for readers advisory and collection development.
Another resource Booklist provides is High Demand Read Alikes. With titles like Slow-Burn Love Stories and Women in War, you should be able to find an idea when you are pressed to create a display but don't feel especially creative. They are also broad enough that finding some read alikes in your own physical and digital collection should be easy.
Library Journal is here to remind us that when a movie the The Odyssey catches patrons' attention, we can use that interest to help dr...
