Presenter: Kara Rumble. Presented at the Georgia Libraries Conference in Columbus, GA on 10/03/2018. While displays serve patrons of all kinds, they especially aid those who may be too shy or nervous to ask about what is available to them or in your collection. Learn how you can create engaging displays to increase user access of library services and bring varying perspectives to the forefront.

1. CREATING DISPLAYS THAT
ARE "OPEN TO ALL":
INCREASING
ACCESS AND AWARENESS
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2. Hello!
Kara Rumble
Adult Services Coordinator
R.T. Jones Memorial Library
Sequoyah Regional Library System
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3. Let’s talk about displays
▪ Why do we make displays?
▪ Who do we make displays for?
▪ What questions might arise
when planning a display?
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4. 1.
Be mindful when
it comes to bias
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Let’s talk about
everyone’s favorite
topic: Bias!
Here is what the ALA
Code of Ethics has to
say about bias when
it comes to displays...

6. “Make sure that book displays geared
towards presidential and local elections
contain a diverse mix of opinion and
authors."
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7. 2.
Being mindful of
bias does not
mean you need to
be afraid of
making diverse
displays
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Accessed from: https://hafuboti.com/2017/02/02/libraries-are-for-everyone/

9. Why should we make diverse displays?
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10. Why should we make diverse
displays?
▪ Your patrons are diverse!
▪ Patrons gravitate towards books
they resonate with.
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11. Why should we make diverse
displays?
▪ Some patron may be too shy to
ask where certain materials are
(LGBT, mental health, etc.)
▪ We set the tone when it comes to
celebrating all kinds of stories.
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12. Some things to keep in mind:
▪ Challenge yourself to think deeper
about diversity.
▪ Communication and collaboration
with staff is key.
□ Varying perspectives
□ Staff preparedness
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13. What do I do if patrons ask questions or
have concerns about a display?
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14. What do I do if patrons ask
questions about a display?
▪ Emphasize that libraries are for
everyone and that you try to
display various topics.
▪ If a display is paired with an
official month/holiday,
communicate that to your patrons.
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15. What do I do if patrons ask
questions about a display?
▪ Ask them if there is a kind of
displays that they want to see and
try making it a reality!
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18. Accessed: https://www.uhd.edu/library/Pages/library-index.aspx

19. Accessed: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/1d/b2/af/1db2af063e7732cacb8e83bda6451ff0.jpg

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21. 3.
Use displays to
highlight new or
underused
services
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22. What are some ways your library has
used displays to boost new or underused
services?
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23. Some things to keep in mind
▪ Communicate with collection
development.
▪ Communicate with programmers
about how displays can support
them.
▪ Stay up-to-date with new services
and circulating items.
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29. Display planning process
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Consider
your
community
Create your
display!
Communicat
e with staff &
research
materials

30. 4.
Time for a little
exercise!

31. Let’s brainstorm!
▪ Who makes up your community?
▪ What voices are not being heard?
▪ What resources/services does your
library offer and how can you best
market them to your community?
▪ Are there any local organizations
that can assist in providing
materials?
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33. Resources
▪ We Need DIverse Books: https://diversebooks.org/
▪ Children’s Book Council:
http://www.cbcdiversity.com/resources/teachersandlib
rarians
▪ Cooperative Children's Book Center:
http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/books/multicultural.asp
▪ American Library Association: Association of Ethnic
Librarians: http://www.ala.org/
▪ Hafuboti’s Blog: https://hafuboti.com/
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34. You can find me at
▪ @karathelibrarian
▪ @librariankara
▪ rumblek@seqlib.org
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Thanks!