Using Awards Lists As a RA Tool: National Book Awards Judges Edition

This is part of my ongoing series on using Awards Lists as a RA tool. Click here for all posts in the series in reverse chronological order. Click here for the first post which outlines the details how to use awards lists as a RA tool.   

Beginning today and going through the 16th, the National Book Foundation will be slowly releasing their long lists of nominees in 5 categories. There will be whirlwind of books being added to our toolbox as "best" options during that time. On a side note: I love how they stage their announcements to build excitement for the award.

But one of the downsides of all of that excitement is that people will be itching for the announcements and eager to get their hands on all of the books at once. Add into the fact that they save the top nominations-- fiction and nonfiction-- for last. By the time we get to Friday, we will have already handled requests for the titles already announced and queries about when the others are coming. And often, we get a request seconds after the lists come out. I know all of this from experience. We will need some readalike options and display ideas, and fast.

So here's an idea. Start your display and build your suggestion lists today, even before the first titles are announced.

But Becky, how can I do that? Ahh, it is easier than you think if you begin with the judges and their works first. Click here to see the 5 judges per category-- that's 25 judges who all have works that fall into each of the categories. 

Start with the judges' works and then build in the long list titles as the week goes on. You can draw interest by building excitement and anticipation for the new announcements each day. And then as the current nominees get checked out, click here and use the "Browse By Year" page to add past winners and nominees to your displays and suggestion lists.

This would be an easy and fun display [in person or online]. It capitalizes on a story that will dominate the book atmosphere for the next few days. And it shows you patrons that you care about matching them with a great read.

And don't forget to include this year's Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Art Spiegelman, to your displays. He was already announced here. You an also click here for a quick list of the lifetime award winners from the past few years as well.

Have fun with this. It is fairly easy if you use the judges and backlist to get yourself started. Your patrons will notice and appreciate it.