Inspiring displays

I love the simple nature of this, but how eyecatching it is. I like displays that have a 3D element to them. It is from here


I love how clear and bright this display is - it doesn't have loads of info in it, its just really eyecatching. It is from here a blog called propernounblog.

Genre stickers

I have been working on removing every single old book label. It means picking them off with my nails, to reveal up to 4 different layers of sellotape, and different labels. My library floor is currently a mess, covered with little bits of tape and stickers. This is the start of my genre/colour coding stickering.

Mini Display take 2

As I have weeded so drastically, I currently have lots of spare shelf space. Obviously the plan is that one day brand new books will fill them, but for now, I am creating mini displays. I'm a massive fab of front facing books, and this enables me to 'catch' a browsing reader when they least expect it. They don't take long to make either, but are quite eye-catching.

Bookmarks

Inspired by Skerricks I have made my two bookmark pots. I have used an A-Z map, some old Asterix comic books, and a cookery book. I also have some free Carnegie ones there. I don't like how the cookery book ones turned out, but I've made them now!

I have also made some fab personal ones, with my Dewey colour coding on, and some messages about how to look after books, but I haven't printed those out yet.

The plan is to give one out with each loan.

Mini Display

This is a quick mini display I did on a bare shelf. I covered the back to make it stand out.

Display as many books front facing as you can

These aren't great pictures, but will try and explain what my idea was.
The tape on the floor is masking tape where I plan for my two sofas to go. The white thing that the books are resting on is the electrical boxing I presume. I suddenly thought, 'Hey, wouldn't it be great if I could rest books on it - imagine all that forward facing display space.'













I can just imagine people lounging on the sofas, glancing at the lovely books, and picking one up to borrow. Display that costs nothing but creates a big impact. I have put them up now to see whether they fall off or not.

Audio book display

The spinner I have for my audio books isn't very appealing, so I gave a mini display a go.
















I printed out the photos of headphones, and would have loved for them to be double sided, but just didn't have the time to work out how to mirror imagine the picture. Maybe next time! They are hanging with cotton, again maybe next time I would try and get some invisible thread.

Arranging furniture

So, today I was on the mission to get some furniture ordered. My line manager hadn't really planned on having tables but I think its crucial. They need to be able to work (not just on computers), they need to be able to gather, then need to be able to draw, we need to run clubs, play board games etc.

I also have hopes for the future that I can lead library sessions. I want teachers to be able to come with their class and use the library. Which means that we need seating for a class. We can't just presume to use the computer desks/chairs as the library will also be the supervised 6th form centre. I don't want to be closed to classes just because we have 6th formers using the computers.

I got some masking tape and had a go at working out whether I could fit a class worth of tables/chairs. It looks like a weird polygon murder scene.

This shows three sets of three tables (one at the back). It leaves the centre entrance to the shelves free, and would sit 18 comfortably, or up to 10 uncomfortably.

I have also planned for another set of three tables (grouped together), right at the other end with the computers. I could then keep 6 chairs around this table, but if I had a full class we could bring those 6 chairs up to these 3 main tables (so all the students were together). This would give me 24 chairs/table spaces.

Our tutor groups are less than 24, although classes can be up to 28.

Opening the book archives

Creative reading approaches applied in school library work - Hertfordshire

I really liked the second paragraph from the bottom.

'Encourage and empower your readers. Do not talk down to them. Do not adopt a tone of authoritative superiority. be honest about your own reading, don't feel guilty or ashamed of any of it, and don't induce those feelings in others. Be bold and innovative about how you present your wares to the public. Use any help you can get. Enjoy reading an enormous variety of books and get your borrowers to do likewise. Get them to talk about it. Demolish stereotypes, takes risks, live dangerously...'

Sums up how I feel about my role.

Displays

I am getting more display board eventually and am excited about putting up some fab displays. I will definitely be using my primary school head for these, as I think primary displays tend to be more eye catching and exciting. I used to like making displays as a teacher but never had the time, so they were always rushed. Now they are a integral part of my role, I can dedicate more time to making quality displays. Here are some inspirations to remind me what can be achieved.

These are not library displays, but inspiring none-the-less.






Uploaded to Sparklebox here

This could be something like, 'Take a leaf out of our book' and could display people's favourite book titles.


Topical themed ones are always nice. I like the colouring of this
example from Sparkle box here










I like the clear title here, and the display of photos and text from Sparklebox here.









I love displays that use 3D objects - these masks look great.

The mystery of my display

Walked in this morning to find this











The library is locked up, and oddly, you can't see it here, but there was a yellow quill style biro in the middle.

The boring answer is that one book at the back fell, causing the others to fall like dominos. The more exciting explanation - crazy vandalism by angry mice.