[Publib] Good Displays?

[BookBitch]

Judy,

What I try and do is collect books until I have at
least 30-40 for the display, then put them out 10-12
at a time.  Depending on the type of display, that can
take a morning or it can take several months (and if
it does, I just put together a spreadsheet of titles &
authors).   

For the 'Read My Lips' display, it took the
cooperation of most of the branch to collect enough
books to make a successful display.  As books came
through, or as staff noticed books that would work,
they would either copy the cover for me or leave me
little notes with suggestions.  After a good six
months, I finally had enough titles to keep the
display filled for the month.  Sadly, the master list
of titles disappeared and I haven't had the heart to
rebuild it.

For me, the purpose of these types of displays is to
increase circulation and draw attention to books that
may otherwise be overlooked on the shelves, so
whatever is out on display is always available for
checkout.  The 'Summer Chills & Thrills' display was
refilled at least twice a day, and it was the largest
display we ever did, about 30 books at a time were out
there.  And if I run out of books, then it's time to
move on to the next display.  I also do theme months
like every April is National Poetry Month, November is
Jewish Book Month, and so forth.  We have huge
increases in circulation in those books that month.

I think the bottom line is that a lot of people like
some guidance in selecting books, so if they think
someone - a librarian - picked out the book that is on
the display, then it must be good. We usually have a
constant display of "staff recommends," usually about
6-8 books on a small table near the front of the
library, and that gets refilled several times a day
too.  I try and use older titles for displays to
increase those circulation numbers.

Yes, it's time consuming and sometimes a lot of work
to get the books together, but nothing says successful
display more than a barren one!

On the other hand, if you're using displays to try and
hide something, maybe you could use something besides
books - we used to have displays by local artists and
artisans of their work, even stuff from kids from area
schools.  Those things don't circulate and can hide a
multitude of sins, providing you can protect them
while on display.

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

--- Judith Turner <turnermalibmba at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Stacy -- 
> 
> Wonderful and creative displays -- these must just
> make patrons fingers itch to check the books out
> which leads to a question --  Do these books
> circulate right awat?
> 
> After spending some time finding books (and possibly
> putting everything in the collection that looks nice
> enough out for the display)  in the case of "Read my
> Lips", how quickly do you permit the display to be
> disassembled?
> 
> When the purpose is to get books into the hands of
> readers, then having them fly off the table is great
> but what if you are trying to make the library look
> festive around holiday time, hiding a decorating
> disaster or camouflaging a crack in the plaster --
> what then?
> 

> Judy Turner
> Whitefish Bay, WI


    I am the BookBitch 
www.bookbitch.com 
    Win 8 signed thrillers including ANARCHY AND OLD DOGS by Colin Cotterill, THE REINCARNATIONIST by M.J. Rose & STRIP SEARCH by William Bernhardt!