2. What Libraries Can
Learn From Retail
Stores?
❖ Paco Underhill, provides us with many
useful examples of ‘shopping behavior’ in
his book Why We Buy – The Science of
Shopping.
❖ There are two statistics which seem
particularly relevant to those of us
working in the library world:
50% of people buy the first thing they
touch
72% of purchases are made on impulse
❖ The task is to ensure we help customers
of all ages using our libraries to find
something satisfying to read.
3. Steps to be taken in
order to improve
Library
Management
Location:
● Choose a place which is close to the
entrance and highly visible to people coming
into the library.
● Choose a spot where patrons, students and
children have slowed their walking pace
● When you set up your display stand – make
sure there is plenty of space surrounding it
so people can browse in comfort
4. Contd...
Face-forward display
● The display look attractive and tempting to
patrons and students so it will trigger the
impulsive behavior that governs 72% of
choices.
● Another valuable retail technique is to
ensure your face-out display is at eye level.
● Choose strong, vibrant covers and display
them to make the most of contrasting
colours and tones so that each enhances its
neighbour.
5. Contd... No Clutter
● There are two types of clutter to avoid -
the visual kind: homemade signs, too
much guidance, posters and leaflets
demanding attention in every sightline.
● The physical stuff: props, toys and other
‘themed’ objects displayed alongside the
books. The simple but best approach is to
‘Let the Product Be King’.
6. Contd... Full, rich displays
● A full, rich and vibrant display sends out a
positive message that library staff care
about offering their patrons choice and
presenting it in an enticing way.
● Empty display units or stagnant book
collections send out negative messages
of neglect and low priority. No-one will
visit these sad looking promotions.