[Publib] Good Displays?

[BookBitch]

I did merch for Borders for a number of years and I've
been doing displays for my library for many years.  I
think what makes the most impact is good signage and
props along with the books - and don't forget to
include DVD's or audio books too.  At Borders we had a
"chalk outline" of a body in front of the mystery
section - we used tape and a staff volunteer for the
body.  My branch manager wouldn't let me do it here in
the library but it was really popular at Borders. 
Other examples (some original, some gleaned from the
FictionL list) --

Romance - we did a table up like you would for wedding
gifts using inexpensive props from the party store,
crepe paper bunting around the table, a big wedding
bell up on a box we covered in white paper and then
surrounded with romance novels.  

"Read My Lips" - One of our staff here is very
artistic and she created a fairly large sign that had
big, red lips covered in glitter.  All the books on
display had big lips on the cover (it took a while to
find them!) like American Rhapsody by Eszterhas and
Lip Service by M.J. Rose.

"Steel This Book" - that was verbiage on the sign and
the display consisted of Danielle Steel books - back
cover out on display.  For those who aren't aware, Ms.
Steel has her picture on the back of all of her books,
and she dresses in theme with the book.  My personal
favorite - The Klone & I has two Danielle Steel's on
the back!

"Follow the Yellow Book Road" - artist in residence
created an eye catching sign and the display consisted
of books with yellow covers

"Summer Chills & Thrills" - simple sign with words and
blood dripping <grin> and this one had horror and
thrillers (not mysteries although you could include)
It had to be refilled a few times a day, probably our
most popular display ever.

"Don't Judge a Book by its Movie" or "Reel Books" - we
do this one probably once every year or two.  Display
consists of books that have been made into movies, and
we put DVDs based on books out on it too.  

Hope this helps.

Stacy Alesi
Library Name *Censored*
Boca Raton, Florida
& MLIS student at USF

--- Jessica Simpson <freezinglife at gmail.com> wrote:

> Please excuse any cross-posting.
> 
> Hi everyone,
> Yesterday our library invited a marketing consultant
> (MLS, MBA, former
> Barnes & Noble merchandiser) to talk to our library
> staff about better
> marketing our materials to patrons.  Unfortunately
> the information the
> consultant had to offer was not quite what library
> administration and staff
> were hoping for.  One of the things we were
> interested in was how to create
> a stellar display, one that staff would constantly
> need to be refilling
> because the materials were just so popular.  What
> displays have worked
> really well for your library?  Do you have any other
> general suggestions
> about creating displays that work?  I am in Youth
> Services, but we are
> looking for display ideas for any area of the
> library.  If there is
> interest, I will submit a compilation to the list.
> Thank you!
> -Jessica
> 
> -- 
> Jessica Simpson
> Youth Services Librarian
> Columbus, OH


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