Introduction
Bringing people together to discuss books at the library is a classic of library programming for a reason. Inviting patrons to join in the conversation attracts both regular and new users. Suggestions by the group for future discussions provide valuable information on the tastes and preferences of those users.
By using your ILS, you can give your book club greater impact and improve the experience for patrons and librarians alike. Some ways you can leverage your ILS are below.
Book Lists
The most obvious way that your ILS can be used is to list past and future book club books on your online catalog. This can give patrons a better picture of your club’s favorite genres and authors. Subject headings and tags can be used to identify these books in the catalog as well, so they can be discovered in searches. Additionally, staff can refer to usage statistics for book club items to help determine if there is a wider audience for these resources.
Collection Development
Harvesting data from your ILS such as circulation data for book club items shows how popular the resources are and can help you decide what genres and authors are likely to be read by members as part of the club’s activities and outside the scope of the club. Looking at data from successful and unsuccessful searches of your online catalog, or OPAC, gives you insight into what might be suitable candidates for purchases for future book club offerings.
Specialized Patron Notices
Creating a note in the patron’s record to identify them as a book club member allows you to send specialized notices to them about the club. Reminders about the next meeting date, notices that club books are ready to be checked out, and notification of schedule changes are made easier if your ILS gives you a way to identify participants and tailor notices to them. The ability to contact patrons via email, text, and/or print enables staff to contact patrons that may not have access to some of these channels. Notices can also bring in new members by publicizing the club to the patron base.
Circulation Management
Your ILS should make it possible to set special circulation rules for the book club items and/or the book club’s membership. Using resource categories or patron groups as a basis for circulation rules allows for longer circulation periods than normal, giving patrons time to finish the book before the meeting. You can also use the holds function to place items on hold for the patrons or they can place the holds themselves.
Publicity
Your ILS’ tools can be used to announce details about the next club meeting and explain how to participate. In addition to notices, you can also publicize the club via the online catalog. Announcements, virtual book displays, lists of past, present and future books, and the library’s calendar are ways your OPAC can grab attention.
Conclusion
Book clubs are a time-honored way to encourage patrons to visit the library and to generate enthusiasm. Your club members will spread the word and increase the library’s visibility. Maybe some of the members will become volunteers or become involved in library governance. You can increase your club’s effectiveness by using your ILS’ tools strategically.
About Surpass Software
Surpass is the easy-to-use, cloud-based library management system for libraries of all types and sizes. Whether you’re a school, church, museum, business, or any other organization with resources to lend, Surpass is likely a good fit for you. We pride ourselves on being affordable and flexible, with an expert support team ready to help you at a moment’s notice.
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