Sustaining promotions
With the pressures on library budgets, it is not possible to sustain promotions based around small numbers of titles. The books issue quickly and libraries are soon left with empty display stands. Reader development initiatives think beyond the immediacy of the first issues and build in wide choice meeting the personal interests of a wide group of clients and ability to cope with demand from a range of stock.
There seems to be an ever-increasing number of development initiatives which could be useful for your adult clients. Such initiatives typically stimulate interest in reading more widely through innovative approaches and marketing to the reader. The reader development initiatives use a reader-centred approach, which focuses on meeting the reader's needs rather than promoting a range of books or specific titles.
All lists and recommendations have value when it comes to raising the profile of books and authors. But it is only by considering the specific needs and interests of the client that you are likely to impact upon their reading enjoyment. There are some major initiatives such as nationally funded reading promotions, book awards and media-led activities which are useful sources of reading suggestions. Some of these are annual events but it may be worthwhile to revisit previous years. For example, a list of former nominees for a major literacy prize could be useful. The list needs to have a number of titles, reviews or book "blurbs" and be available within the service to meet the needs of a wide range of reading preferences.
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