ncompass live: reader of the week
TRANSCRIPT
READER OF THE WEEK
2016MORTON-JAMES PUBLIC LIBRARY
NEBRASKA CITY, NEmorton-jamespubliclibrary.com
• Initiative introduced by new director 2015-2016
• Partnership with local newspaper,
• Paper published 2x/week, circ 10,000• Readers recruited by library staff to answer
questions for a weekly feature
THE BASICS
DIRECTOR’S INITIATIVE
• Approached newspaper editor, Fall 2015• Created format with staff input• All staff encouraged to recruit readers• One staff member designated as coordinator• Publication began January 2016
CONSIDERATIONS
• Basically, a free advertisement• Add something every week about a service,
e.g. “ Did you know that you can check out Watt Detectors at the library???”• Create more awareness of reading for
pleasure• Feature a variety of readers and materials
“So, what is the task?”
• “Grab/call/write anyone you think might be interested in being in the paper and talk about books. Ask them 4-6 questions about reading.”
• “I just want to see passion for reading.”• “Don’t imagine much more than 200 (max 300)
words in total. We are trying to talk about novels, not write them ”
• Names, titles, photo of reader/image
INTRODUCTION
Prelude to questions:“We know quite a bit about our books here at the library, but we want to know more about you, our amazing readers. Every week we will introduce a new reader from the community and we strongly encourage everyone to visit with us at the Morton-James Public Library about being a future “reader of the week.”
RANGANATHAN would like this:• Books are for use• Every reader his/her book• Every book its reader• Save the time of the reader• The library is a growing organism
Jeff Koterba, Omaha World-Herald, January 2012
? THE QUESTIONS ?
1. What is the last book you read?2. Who is your favorite author and what makes him/her so great?3. Why do you read?4. Have you ever had to give up on a book?5. Name a book you would recommend and tell everyone why they should read it. * “Library’s notes” followed reader’s answers
CONCLUSION
• “Thank you for answering these questions. If there’s anything else you’d like to comment on about your passion for reading, feel free to share it here: …
• The newspaper would like to include a photo of the reader with this feature. May we take your picture? If you’re not comfortable with that we totally understand and offer you the option of taking a picture of you with a book in front of your face, a “bookface”! We can show you an example or two – they’re quite fun!”
LOGISTICS
• Coordinate schedule with readers and newspaper to meet copy deadlines and allow time to write “Library’s notes” section
• RECRUIT, RECRUIT, RECRUIT = MARKETING–Within library – Beyond – Rotary Club and other meetings, coffee
klatch
• Spreadsheet to track people approached
LOGISTICS continued…
• Readers could answer ?s on paper or by e-mail• Periodic updates provided at staff meetings,
and sent to staff via e-mail: readers in pipeline, photos pending, etc.
• Provided newspaper with ALA graphics –
“LIBRARY’S NOTES”
• Followed each reader’s answers• Listed library’s collection of each author/ title
mentioned by reader• Opportunity to tout access, not just
ownership, e.g. ILL service, OverDrive• Leveraged to highlight special promotions
and upcoming events, e.g. NLW, book club, summer reading programs, etc.
SPREADSHEET
Library director
Library volunteer City
commissioner
• Retired bank president• Engaged
community volunteer
Business owner, senior services
Home- schooled 9-yr old
College President
ONE BOOKONE NEBRASKA
Siblings, 2nd & 3rd graders
Retiredprincipal
2nd gradeteacher
Insurancebusiness-woman
Retired educator
MORE NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK
ARBOR DAY LIBRARY
• Hey kids!• YOU TOO CAN BE A READER OF THE WEEK, LIKE
EMMA!
• To get started just ask the librarian
MORE MAY…2nd grader, Daisy Meadows fan
8th grader,Peg Kehret fan
Substituteteacher
Homeboundpatron
High school sophomoreLocal pastor
Children’s library
SSummer intern,high school jr.
Fifth grader
Author, aspiring counselor
M
A
G
I
C !!!
6TH grader,Mike Lupica
7th grader, Rick Riordan fan
7th grader, Margaret Peterson Haddix
Academic librarian
High school freshman,Boy Scout
Library boardmember
City employee— museum director
Health care worker
MJPL library clerk
High school sophomore
Award-winning Innkeeper
OCTOBER SURPRISE
• October 28, 2016“Editor’s Note: For each week’s Friday News-Press, the MJPL has been providing a reader of the week profile. This week is a bit of a departure from that feature as the MJPL Director talks about the recent unfortunate vandalism of the Library’s entry in the local Scarecrow Contest…”
Storytime in the Pumpkin patch…
Retired English teacher
Local educator
High school English teacher
2nd grader, fan of Junie B. Jones
Painter, art teacher
P ICTURE YOURSELF HERE –
YOU TOO CAN BE A …
READER OF THE WEEK!!!
Notebook example
• READER OF THE WEEK • Nebraska City News-Press (NE) - September
30, 2016• Newspaper• Page: A6• Words: 426 (Average count: 535)• Readability: 10-12 grade level (Lexile: 1170) (Average: 1240)
BONUS: Content indexed in
BONUS: Content indexed in
Readability, n = 339-12 grade (1)10-12 grade (4)11-12 grade (17)> 12 grade (9)
MORE “BONUSES”…
• Catalyst for promotion, e.g. NLW, staff profiles• Call from California• Boy Scout reader identified library as his
potential Eagle Scout project• Budding magician identified, added a new
magic book to our collection• Increased community conversations about
reading
