Increase Library Usage through Strategic Merchandising presented by Kathy Dempsey of Libraries Are Essential (#LibsAreEss) Sept. 18, 2018

Think Like Retailers Timely Seasonal Creative Eye-catching Pic from Wonder Book, a small chain in Maryland.

What Is Merchandising? Merchandising differs from displaying in that it’s a planned, promotional action. At its best, merchandising: targets particular segments is attractive and balanced reflects your brand draws positive attention elicits feelings involves much more than books encourages usage and check-out

It’s More Than Books Facing Out

Let’s Start Outside

Signs Make Lasting Impressions

Closed? Tell ‘em What’s Happening.

Make Sure People Can Find You!

Your Entrance Says a Lot

Your Entrance Says a Lot

Why Try Merchandising? Make library look more inviting Highlight underused materials Silent Readers’ Advisory Increase circulation Promote upcoming events Relate to customers Differentiate branches/areas of building Fun & creative for staff

Clear Sightlines

Show Off Special Sections

Display With Promotion

Go the Extra Mile

‘Trading Spaces’ in Mt. Laurel, NJ http://wvla.org/downloads/2009_Conference/schalkgreeneb.pdf

Before and After in Collingswood, NJ

Collingswood Circ Increase

Tips for Success Have an outsider do a “walkabout.” Involve the staff for buy-in. Note trouble spots. Get patrons’ opinions! Start small. How will you evaluate success? Publicize your changes. People see signs for 2-3 seconds: Be legible!

Teens Like Their Own Spaces

Teen Space

Teen Space With Slatwall

Slatwall = Extra Space

Screens for Easy Changes Digital screens that are programmable Digital frames of any size with changeable memory sticks Digital signage with scrolling words

Let’s Look at Signage

Fonts Matter

Let’s Look at Signage

Let’s Look at Signage

Let’s Look at Signage

Let’s Look at Signage

Promoting Digital Items

Promoting Digital Items Marketing Your Library’s Electronic Resources: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians By Marie R. Kennedy and Cheryl LaGuardia Neal-Schuman, 2013 & 2018. www.alastore.ala.org/content/marketing-your-librarys-electronic-resources-second-edition-how-do-it-manual-librarians

Good and Bad Book Sales

Staff Picks

Highlight Staff Members!

Cool Spaces: OBA (Amsterdam)

Cool Spaces: OBA (Amsterdam)

Cool Spaces: Baltimore County PL

Cool Spaces: T-Shirts

Cool Spaces: Goethe Institut (NYC)

Cool Spaces: Goethe Institut (NYC)

Cool Spaces: Goethe Institut (NYC)

Favorites: It’s OK, Really

My Favorites: Carry-Out Bags (Stockholm)

My Favorites

My Favorites

My Favorites

My Favorites

My Favorites

My Favorites

Kathy Dempsey Kathy@LibrariesAreEssential.com Facebook: Facebook.com/LibrariesAreEssential Author: The Accidental Library Marketer www.LibrariesAreEssential.com Editor: Marketing Library Services newsletter www.infotoday.com/MLS Blogger: The M Word: Marketing Libraries www.themwordblog.blogspot.com Also an ebook!