Libraries have wonderfully rich collections. Book marketing changes constantly, trends in genres come and go, new bestsellers start fresh cover fashions. It is hard to keep up with the range and depth of material that is available to our readers, including our wealth of back stock. How can we help people discover what is hidden in our shelves? This course will help you update your book knowledge and select, curate and present capsule promotional collections that will catch readers’ interest and tempt them to try something new.
Identifying a unifying idea to create a collection starts with thinking about what readers want, the experiences they are looking for in books. You will develop skills in identifying these to make strong links between diverse titles. You will use a central concept to gather titles together that have similar appeal, but that would not normally be found together on the shelves, or in a standard promotion. These capsule collections will be useful in your digital promotions, as flexible physical promotions in the library and as a resource for reader recommendations.
Module One will teach you how to create collections which start from a topic and develop intriguing connections that widen a subject. Module Two takes a visual approach to identifying reader appeal in cover design and shows you how to create imaginative collections which bring similar reading experiences together to offer the reader something tempting.
Your Mentor will give detailed feedback on your ideas and title selection. Their role is to use their expertise to stretch your thinking and to help you create exciting collections. They will support you to develop new skills and book knowledge that you can use time and time again.
This course has made me challenge my thinking on traditional stock promotion. I am now planning displays in a different way to try and engage with a more diverse audience.
Annette Mircic North Yorkshire Libraries UK
I found the input of my mentor really useful, partly because I have not completed this 'type' of training for many years, it was interactive and autonomous, very different from the usual.
Caroline Holdsworth Calderdale Libraries UK
Mentor feedback on this course was incredibly helpful. In terms of putting collections together, my mentor provided me with an objective perspective that helped to strengthen the focus of the collection, and thus its power. She was a great combination of supportive, objective and encouraging.
Mark Kirkby Leeds Libraries UK
The tasks were interesting and cleverly designed to encourage you to think latitudinally, looking at different options and considering the development of the reader. The course introduced new ideas gradually and gave you opportunities to apply them practically. My mentor offered timely and clear advice, giving me areas to think about without spoon-feeding the ‘correct’ answers.
Robin Crawshaw Lancashire Libraries UK
This course was really enjoyable and I learnt a lot about curating new collections to increase reader engagement. It also made a refreshing change to be able to focus on developing my stock knowledge (which isn't strictly part of my day job). I liked having set tasks to complete, but with the ability to bring my interests and love of reading to the table. Thank you for letting me be part of the course and for the support I've had from the mentors along the way. I'm a little sad it's over - as I'm a sucker for learning!
Louisa Ackling Worcestershire Libraries UK
I feel the course was very well-structured, and having the feedback from a mentor was extremely useful and supportive.
Deborah Stevens Somerset UK
| Why themes? | |
| How readers choose | |
| Differentiating the non-fiction readership | |
| Changing perceptions | |
| Understanding narrative non-fiction | |
| Avoiding the subject | |
| Creating a concept | |
| Choosing a new theme | |
| Naming your themed collection | |
| Task One: Ideas for your own themed collection | |
| Discussion with your Mentor | |
| Preparing for Task Two: Selecting your books | |
| Building in range | |
| Reflecting diversity | |
| Including stretch and surprise | |
| Task Two: Create a collection for your chosen theme | |
| Discussion with your Mentor | |
| Using a themed collection in the library | |
| Using a themed collection online |
| Why use book covers? | |
| Take a look at book cover trends | |
| Check out your own visual preferences | |
| Decoding visual clues | |
| Covers for classics | |
| Identifying a reading experience | |
| Opening up a genre | |
| Looking for visual connections – figures and faces | |
| Targeting a reading audience | |
| Finding inspiration for a unifying idea | |
| Task Three: Suggest a concept for your own cover design collection | |
| Discussion with your Mentor | |
| Selecting books for your collection | |
| Tightening your audience focus | |
| Introducing diversity | |
| Adding outliers | |
| Task Four: Create a collection starting from cover designs | |
| Discuss your collection with your Mentor | |
| Using collections for reader recommendations | |
| Using capsule collections as part of your promotional strategy | |
| Learning review | |
| More Opening the Book courses |
Prices displayed in GBP
