How To Promote Horror Reads at My Library
All Year Strategy
A simple strategy to promote horror novels at any time of the year is to have a display that has a sign that reads something to the degree of "Looking for a Fright?" with an eye-grabbing image. Several titles in different formats can be placed on the display with additional copies stored nearby to refill as needed. Both the book and audiobook of a novel present, graphic novels, even a list of ebooks available, will help bring awareness to our vast collection.
The display sign could be:
The display sign could be:
This strategy gives readers a chance to see what horror-related titles are out there. The sign reminds them if they do not like any of the physical copies available, but would like to pursue more options, they know to come talk to any available librarian.
Halloween Strategy
Halloween would be the best time to highlight horror reads. A good display could be one or multiple display tables set up with a haunted doll house, monsters statues, and fake plastic gory body parts, all with relatable books, audiobooks, movies, etc. All tables can have an acrylic sign or pile of bookmarks with recommended titles, as well as physical copies of some of the titles. An example bookmark could be:
At one of my former branches we had a haunted doll house display with horror novels and it was a HIT! It drew people's attention right away. Like the all year strategy, the sign or bookmark reminds them a librarian is present to offer more suggestions if they do not like any of the physical copies available.
That same branch I worked at also utilized bookmarks with similar titles and authors to whichever author or book we were highlighting at the time. We placed these bookmarks inside the books, as well as had them out for patrons to pick up. For this genre and situation, ideally the list would contain both classic and more recent horror novels and movies.
To boost patron experience, a voting jar can be present. Near the front entrance of my library branch we occasionally have a voting jar to grab people's attention and to stop at the table. The most popular one so far has been Cats vs. Dogs. A similar experience can happen at this table that allows people to vote on their favorite kind of horror novel (Paranormal, Monster, Gory). (If I were to pitch this to the library administration, I would remind them of the previous times we have done voting jars as well as the statistics.)
That same branch I worked at also utilized bookmarks with similar titles and authors to whichever author or book we were highlighting at the time. We placed these bookmarks inside the books, as well as had them out for patrons to pick up. For this genre and situation, ideally the list would contain both classic and more recent horror novels and movies.
To boost patron experience, a voting jar can be present. Near the front entrance of my library branch we occasionally have a voting jar to grab people's attention and to stop at the table. The most popular one so far has been Cats vs. Dogs. A similar experience can happen at this table that allows people to vote on their favorite kind of horror novel (Paranormal, Monster, Gory). (If I were to pitch this to the library administration, I would remind them of the previous times we have done voting jars as well as the statistics.)
Note: Sorry these images are not better quality!
Sources Used to Identify Different Horror Novels:
Cutter, Nick. "11 Books that Will Definitely Scare You." Huffington Post. Web 06 December 2017. Accessed 17 February 2018. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/nick-cutter/11-books-that-will-defini_b_4854984.html
Reader, Sam. "The Best Horror Books of 2016." Barnes and Noble. Web 14 December 2016. Accessed 17 February 2018. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/sci-fi-fantasy/the-best-horror-books-of-2016/
