Reading Resolutions Guest Post: Lila Denning

Lila Denning, Acquisition Services Coordinator at the St Petersburg [FL] Public Library, has been a guest on the blog a few time before, here.

This year she has offered up her social distancing specific resolutions in order for you to see another example beyond just mine from yesterday. 

Again, if you want to share your resolutions with the larger RA Service community, please contact me. The more examples, the better.

Passive Readers Advisory is even more important in 2021

2021 Resolutions by Lila Denning

Given that we are all still social distancing because of COVID-19, passive readers advisory is a vital tool for every library worker to have in their toolbox. Patrons can review online lists and articles or virtual displays of your digital collection. They can grab a book from a display or a bookmark with suggested titles they can request from home. Helping to guide patrons to books and other materials more quickly will help minimize the length of time they are in your building or will help them place holds for curbside pickup. 

Resolution #1 for 2021- Simple is better when it comes to book displays.

I know this is going to be controversial, especially with youth and school librarians but the focus should be to get materials in the hands of patrons. Fancy displays with bells and intricate accessories are great for enclosed glass display cases or display boards. To get books into the hands of patrons, you don’t need to be an artist. The fact books are faced out will draw attention, in and of itself.  Add a simple sign and maybe some bookmarks advertising your website or e-resources. Then add piles of books related to your theme. 

Resolution #2 for 2021 - Sometimes simple is better when it comes to themes. 

If you are going to set up multiple book displays, I suggest making some simple to fill in. Use a more general genre such as cozy mysteries or something like cats on the cover. You will be thankful when you get busy and have to fill in the display later. I try to use a couple of these every month. One of the most successful displays that I do in my library is to grab picture books and display them face out on top of the bookcases that hold them. That’s it. No theme other than being picture books.

Resolution #3 for 2021 - Share the work of book displays with everyone on staff. 

One lesson I learned while out on medical leave is that you should spread the work and fun of book displays out among the staff. Allow anyone, regardless of title, with a great idea to create a display and be responsible for filling it during the month. Recruit staff to help you fill the displays as they empty out. Make a list for your workroom with ideas for filling the display that anyone can use as a guide. One thing this can do is diversify what kind of displays get made because your staff will have different interests, backgrounds, hobbies, and ideas. Even having someone else fill a display you created could bring in materials that you never considered. Maybe someone in maintenance loves prog rock or a cataloger is a fan of literary short stories. You might find someone who can list Cuban authors in your collection or grab books about local history. It’s a bookstore trick we used to use- know who is a maven about any given topics and ask them for help. 

Resolution #4 for 2021- Mine the news and popular culture for ideas. 

When something is in the news, use that for a book display. Sometimes that can be the death of a significant person or a movie that everyone is talking about. Find materials that are roughly related by theme, character, or setting. Wonder Woman 84 is currently being talked about which could translate into not just Wonder Woman graphic novels but books about Greek mythology, books with warrior princesses, or books about the 1980’s more broadly. Check the various streaming services to see what the most popular titles are and use them as a backdrop for a display. 

Resolution #5 for 2021- Interpret book display broadly

If you are doing curbside only, setting up a display inside the building may not be happening. Instead create a series of bookmarks with lists of suggestions on them and make them available. Post weekly signs on your front windows with the book list of the week. You can reproduce the lists on your website or on your social media. Use Facebook posts or Twitter threads to guide your patrons to your catalog. Displays are tools to help your patrons discover your collection. The same information can be delivered in a variety of ways. We may not be able to have  face to face conversations with patrons but that doesn’t mean that you can’t guide them to their next great read, watch or listen. 

Resolution #6 - Don’t forget every part of your collection 

I use the word book display but I include audiobooks, music CDs, DVDs, and digital materials on my displays. Remember this when you are creating displays or lists of titles. You can broaden a theme by including related non-book materials. Patrons who normally browse your AV collection may not have access or want to spend the time searching the shelves. Guide them with lists and displays that either focus on or include those materials.

While eventually we will be able to have great conversations about materials face to face, resolving to explore passive readers advisory will allow library workers to bring attention to their collections in a variety of new ways. Don’t be afraid to try something new. This is a great time to bring new ideas and ways of doing things to your library.