The new logo and website for ARSL was unveiled in Gatlinburg today.
http://www.arsl.info/
Friday, September 11, 2009
Bookstore Concept
The preconference for ARSL was held at the Anna Porter Public Library in Gatlinburg, TN. A BEAUTIFUL new library with an amazing view.
The idea of incorporating the bookstore concept into their new library is one that came from a previous ARSL held in Columbus, OH. The conference attendees toured bookstore branches within the Metropolitan Columbus Library System. An attendee at those tours was Kenton Temple, director of the Anna Porter Public Library.
The city of Gatlinburg is only 3,500 residents. A very small mountain town. Gatlinburg is not a rich community. The idea to build a new library started with a plan and people committed to making it happen. The idea to incorporate the bookstore concept turned "customers" into "raving fan customers".
Kenton Temple believes that for any library space 10,000 square feet or less this model is the way to go! The plan for this library was adapted from the book: What libraries Can Learn from Bookstores by Chris Rippel.
Some key concepts that make this model work include:
* Face out: the goal is 17% of your collection is face out.
* Slat end shelving on everything.
* The top and bottom shelves are empty. (ease of use)
* Weed, weed, weed! (Classics can be placed in a classics section; all other subject areas are "fresh"--you want continuous turn-over. Libraries are not book warehouses.) They do have a local history collection that is added to and not weeded.
* Displays, displays, displays!
* All shelves are on wheels for easy rearrangement.
* Lower ranges of shelving throughout.
* "Traffic" moves to the right.
* Add pleasant scents to the environment.
They did keep Dewey so they didn't have to reinvent the wheel. Books are arranged within each subject area by Dewey Classification. The juvenille non-fiction is interfiled with the regular non-fiction to accomodate adult readers with low reading levels (as well as children with higher reading levels).
Your circulation system must be able to support a location category (staff must be able to easily locate materials).
There is signage everywhere.
They did visit bookstores to look at their layout pattern and really worked to find the right fit with regards to where to place certain sections. The computer books are naturally placed near their bank of public access terminals. The dvd's, as well as sections for sports and entertainment are located near the YA materials.
This library is beautiful and the entire concept is worth considering. Afterall, our goal is to meet the needs of our customers and create "raving fan" customers.
The idea of incorporating the bookstore concept into their new library is one that came from a previous ARSL held in Columbus, OH. The conference attendees toured bookstore branches within the Metropolitan Columbus Library System. An attendee at those tours was Kenton Temple, director of the Anna Porter Public Library.
The city of Gatlinburg is only 3,500 residents. A very small mountain town. Gatlinburg is not a rich community. The idea to build a new library started with a plan and people committed to making it happen. The idea to incorporate the bookstore concept turned "customers" into "raving fan customers".
Kenton Temple believes that for any library space 10,000 square feet or less this model is the way to go! The plan for this library was adapted from the book: What libraries Can Learn from Bookstores by Chris Rippel.
Some key concepts that make this model work include:
* Face out: the goal is 17% of your collection is face out.
* Slat end shelving on everything.
* The top and bottom shelves are empty. (ease of use)
* Weed, weed, weed! (Classics can be placed in a classics section; all other subject areas are "fresh"--you want continuous turn-over. Libraries are not book warehouses.) They do have a local history collection that is added to and not weeded.
* Displays, displays, displays!
* All shelves are on wheels for easy rearrangement.
* Lower ranges of shelving throughout.
* "Traffic" moves to the right.
* Add pleasant scents to the environment.
They did keep Dewey so they didn't have to reinvent the wheel. Books are arranged within each subject area by Dewey Classification. The juvenille non-fiction is interfiled with the regular non-fiction to accomodate adult readers with low reading levels (as well as children with higher reading levels).
Your circulation system must be able to support a location category (staff must be able to easily locate materials).
There is signage everywhere.
They did visit bookstores to look at their layout pattern and really worked to find the right fit with regards to where to place certain sections. The computer books are naturally placed near their bank of public access terminals. The dvd's, as well as sections for sports and entertainment are located near the YA materials.
This library is beautiful and the entire concept is worth considering. Afterall, our goal is to meet the needs of our customers and create "raving fan" customers.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
ARSL 2009
Greetings from Gatlinburg, TN!
The annual ARSL Conference begins tomorrow.
A fascinating pre-conference with a look at a small, rural library that has instituted the bookstore model.
The agenda for this year's conference is spectacular!
Hoping to have several "nuggets" to share.
Stay tuned...
The annual ARSL Conference begins tomorrow.
A fascinating pre-conference with a look at a small, rural library that has instituted the bookstore model.
The agenda for this year's conference is spectacular!
Hoping to have several "nuggets" to share.
Stay tuned...
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