What do you think are the best ways to market your library's fiction collection? Name and describe three ways you do or would like to market your library or your future library's fiction. These can be tools, programs, services, displays - anything that you see as getting the word out.
- I think the first way would be with a library twitter account. We could even have a separate one for fiction. I have been working on getting word out for what we are doing in my school library by posting it on Twitter (@gcbookworm). This works for my teen patrons, and with a lot of adults on Twitter now, this tool can really help with promoting new books, programs, and more. I think one of the most important parts of marketing is knowing how to reach your target audience. With so many people on Twitter, it can't hurt to have them follow us to see what they might like to read. It's an easy, passive way to find out about new books. They don't have to go to the website or library; they just look at their phone, and we show up in their timeline. It would be a sneak book rec!
- Another way would be with a Facebook group/page. I helped some friends find books for the Lab A assignment, and they are loving their books. They actually asked me to create a group/page on Facebook for other recommendations. They want to know what else is out there for them to read. Facebook is nice because, again, it's somewhat passive and very easy to use. The information shows up in their newsfeed without having to do extra searching. Adults are super busy, so the easier I can make finding new books, the better. This would work great for a public library because it's easy to update and patrons can "like" the page or join the group for more information about fiction.
- The last way to market fiction would be in the library itself. Having displays that appeal to adults and ways for them to find the right book easily would be very helpful. I can't stress enough how busy adults are and how precious their time is to them. Coming into the library is enough of a battle, so if we make it even easier to find the right fiction book, I think they will be grateful. I would like displays that combine print books on display, QR Codes for book lists, and bookmarks with other suggestions. My display would need to meet all different types of patrons because adults have a wide range of abilities - some can't work with technology (book display and bookmarks) but some would be great with technology (QR Codes). This combination is the best for adult fiction.
I think you make a valid point in that a lot of effective collection marketing strategies encourage passive participation, often through social media and the internet. It can help the library engage users who can't always come into the building and those who like to discover books on their own. One downside of using these methods is that it is very difficult, if not impossible, to determine just how many library users see tweets and Facebook posts, and if they are actually getting people to read new books or try a genre they haven't read before. But this definitely shouldn't prevent libraries from using social media, because you never know what kind of positive impact it could make. For instance, I think it's awesome how your project is morphing into an ongoing Facebook group where your friends can come to find new books to read, and can keep track of new suggestions on their own time. I hope that it stays up and running long after we've finished this class :)
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