ncompass live: reader of the week

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

THANK YOU!

Questions?Denise Davis

Morton-James Public Librarydmdmjlib@gmail.com

READER OF THE WEEK =

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