Merchandising Made Simple: Using Standards and Dynamite Displays to Boos Circulation »

JENNY LAPERRIERE is Senior Librarian at the Schlessman Branch of the Denver Public Library.

TRISH CHRISTIANSEN is a former retailer (e.g., The Disney Store, The Gap) who currently works in the Reference Department at the Central Branch of the Denver Public Library. Both have used merchandising techniques to promote their collections and build circulation; and they present workshops on this topic throughout the state.

Learn how to use proven retail techniques to promote your library collection, elevate your library's image, draw patrons to your space, encourage them to browse and find new materials, enhance their library experience, and boost circulation. This guide shows you how to create branding through signage, arrangement, and displays; and foster customer loyalty. The authors demonstrate how you can draw upon your entire collection-from children's and YA materials to fiction and nonfiction-to promote your library and services-without spending a lot of money. Generously supported by photographs and illustrations, this is a simple and fun approach that can produce profound and immediate results.

VOYA

The authors, a librarian and a retail merchandiser, show how library merchandising can increase circulation and build customer and community loyalty. They discuss traffic flow, collection presentation standards, displays, housekeeping, educating staff, and evaluating one's efforts. The chapter iDisplay in a Boxi lists more than sixty ideas for themed displays. Each chapter includes iface-out assignmentsi to help the reader use the information learned, notes, and further reading. Library merchandising is compared to retail merchandising, giving reasons for some of the methods used and ways to transfer those methods to the library environment. Black-and-white photos are used throughout, illustrating examples of the methods discussed. Some of the photos are not clear, which makes it difficult to see the details. This readable, practical introduction to methods of merchandising shares ideas the reader can use immediately. It gives good background information as well as tips for putting the ideas into practice. The authors are realistic in that they show how merchandising can be done with what one already has if you budget does not support the purchase fixtures and props. The iface-out assignmentsi can be used to evaluate current practices and plan for changes in promoting the collection. Libraries looking to increase circulation and connect teens and books will find this reference useful. Reviewer: Deborah L. Dubois

Ch. 1 Understanding your customer 1

Ch. 2 Secrets of the trade 13

Ch. 3 Display zones 25

Ch. 4 Tools of the trade 41

Ch. 5 Anatomy of a display 61

Ch. 6 Housekeeping 87

Ch. 7 Enlisting and educating staff 97

Ch. 8 How are you doing? 105

Ch. 9 Display in a box 109

Glossary 133

Index 135