F RONTLINE Online Reader Development Training

W HAT IS F RONTLINE ? Online course tailored to your workplace. Takes place over 4 months and involves 7 practical modules. Aims to improve the ways readers discover books in your library (promotions, displays, recommendations etc.)

R EADERS Talking about books with patrons “A good read is often the one that you didn't know you wanted, the chance discovery.” Whichbook.net

R EADING P REFERENCE What are your reading preferences, prejudices and habits? How do you recommend a book without reading it or even liking it? “In observational research in a wide range of libraries, we have found that 75% of borrowers in fiction choose their books by browsing.”

B OOKS AND A UDIENCE A successful promotion brings together a wide range of books from different areas of the library and includes fiction as well as narrative non-fiction. The returns section is responsible for up to 50% of issues. Book industry research says that practically nobody under 40 would choose a hardback over a paperback. When you pick books for a promotion, keep the age appeal consistent.

A NALYSING C OVERS

D ISPLAYING B OOKS Few people visiting a library ask staff anything. The average length of visit to a public library is between five and ten minutes. Around 75% of people who come into an adult lending library choose by browsing. Approximately 25% are borrowers who are looking for a specific title and author and know how to find it. 25% use the A-Z sequence, Dewey and occasionally the catalogue. 75% have never understood Dewey, can't be bothered to follow A-Z and never go near the catalogue. 25% hate surprise books and don't use returns or promotions, they prefer to go their own way. 75% use returns and face-on display, they like promotions and are delighted by surprises.

H OW IS THIS DISPLAY ORGANISED ?

W HAT IS THE PROBLEM HERE ?

W HICH DISPLAY IS BETTER ?

R EADER TO R EADER R ECOMMENDATION Reader-to-reader recommendation is a powerful tool in promoting books. There is no form of promotion more powerful than one enthusiast raving about something they’ve enjoyed to someone else. Libraries are places that don’t have to sell anything except a good read. The returns trolley epitomises the whole principle of reader-to-reader communication as it is the place in the library where books are most plainly seen exchanging hands.

T ARGETING A P ROMOTION In stock centred promotions we only promote books from one area of the collection, for example ‘gardening’. In reader centred promotions we promote books from various areas of the collection (fiction and non-fiction) and target a particular audience, for example ‘busy mums’ who may enjoy reading from various genres.

R UNNING A P ROMOTION Are the books moving? Are they being borrowed by your target audience? Is the display in the right space – do you need to move it? Counting the gaps, how often do you have refill the display? Observe who looks at the display. Talk to the people who borrow from the display.

N OW WHAT...? Small changes can make a difference Get involved Ask us any questions