Everybody's Reading Toolkit
MANCHESTER
Project 1 - Mystery Books
Aims
The object of the exercise was to draw people's attention to the bookstock, have a bit of fun with the books and do something, which provoked some sort of reaction/discussion.
Where
Manchester Powerhouse Library
Target Group
Users of the library aged 16-25yrs (the library is solely for young people)
What took place
- I chose different types of books that I felt that people within the Reading Lifelines age range might find entertaining.
- I bought Christmas wrapping paper and several bags of fun size chocolate bars.
- I wrapped the books up with a couple of chocolate bars inside each package.
- I made labels to go on each book saying: -
To Powerhouse Reader
From Powerhouse Library - Each label gave a clue as to the content of the book inside, i.e.
Why not have some ROMANCE this Christmas
Have an ACTION PACKED Christmas
SCARE yourself silly this Christmas
Have a good LAUGH over Christmas
Have a COMIC STRIP caper over Christmas
Experience something OFF BEAT over Christmas - I then added - WARNING - May contain chocolate
I placed the books all over the tables in the library and displayed them along the bookshelves, on top of other books etc.
When people came into the library I encouraged them to try a mystery book. I got a good response. People enjoyed laughing and joking, saying things such as "I never knew you cared, how thoughtful to buy me a present" and generally people were willing to give it a go. I think that they quite liked the fact that it was a bit unusual and it enabled me to engage people in conversation in a very informal way. I wasn't forcing people to take books, just to try something and the fact that it was anonymous meant that people couldn't pre-judge a book before taking it home.
There was also an element of bribery though, I guess - as people knew that even if they didn't like the book, they would still get some choccies! But that added to the fun side.
In order to keep track of which books were being issued to which people, I wrote the library barcode number on the reverse of the label. This meant that we could issue the books properly.
Tips, Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
The positive aspects far outweighed any problems though - 2 people reserved other books by the author they had been given.
We got lots of nice comments from users and youth workers.
A member of staff said "I thought it was a mad idea that wouldn't work but I have to admit that a lot of the books have gone out".
Weaknesses
There was one drawback. Although we could stamp a due back date on the label, we knew that most people wouldn't remember to use it as a bookmark and would forget when to bring the book back. This could cause problems if you have to adhere to a strict fines policy. I would like to do some more mystery book promotions and we'll see if we can find a way round that problem
Project 2 - Observation
Aims
I made contact with an organisation which runs drop-in sessions for 16-25 year olds who are homeless. These are times when people can visit the Centre to sit down, meet others and get a meal.
I wanted to put together a small deposit collection using Powerhouse stock, which I could change every 2-3 months.
Where
Deposit Collection to be used in the centre for homeless young people
Target Group
Users of the centre
What took place
This doesn't sound very exciting but sometimes you don't have to do an all singing all dancing event in order to be effective.
I would recommend this as a strategy to use for gradually getting to know a group of people you are planning to visit regularly.
I selected a mix of fiction, graphic novels and non-fiction and also took old copies of magazines.
During the drop-in session I displayed the stock on tables. I just introduced myself very informally to people, individually and sat in a corner and watched to see if anyone took any notice of the books.
I've done this for a few sessions now and it's helped me to gradually build up a picture of what people are interested in.
I now know that: -
- Magazines are very popular. Many people have poor literacy levels and will pick up something with a high visual content.
- Non fiction is more popular than fiction. This is partly due to the literacy issue (again many non fiction books are well illustrated) but also people seemed to prefer to look at books that deal with things like how to handle relationships, health, leisure interests etc. I also found that these books often provoke discussion between small groups of people, i.e. sport (Football Babylon), a guide to Star Signs and in particular a book on tattoos and body piercing.'
I took a storyteller to one of the sessions, which got a very good response - people had a go at solving riddles and one person even told the storyteller a ghost story. I sat as a member of the audience and it enabled me to have a few informal words with people afterwards. One person wanted to have a look at the graphic novel that I was holding and read it from cover to cover while I was there. He then told his friend what a brilliant book it was. Result!
Tips, Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
This information helps me to tailor the collection accordingly. It also gives me more confidence when it comes to talking to people at the sessions. I don't feel quite so awkward when I visit there now.
Tips
It can be a bit frustrating in that you may feel that you aren't really making much progress but you just have to accept that it takes time to build up trust with people and it's better to form links with them gradually rather than go in all guns blazing and not get any response.
Training Templates
See Bolton Project 1 for training template on deposit collections
Time To Read currently has a full time paid co-ordinator, supported by Arts Coucil of England and Museums, Libraries and Archives, North West.