In late 2015, we announced the Grow Your NoveList Usage Grant Program. We loved what the recipients of last year's grant did to improve their NoveList usage.
We received many applications for this year's grant, and are thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2017 Grow Your NoveList Usage Grant Program.
- Pennington Public Library (Pennington, NJ) will take a three-pronged approach to accomplish their NoveList usage goals by promoting NoveList online, in-person, by email, and by direct mail; by offering prescribed training to staff, volunteers, and patrons; and by inciting patron engagement with NoveList-based call-to-action activities like book reviews on their blog and different social media initiatives.
- Darien Library (Darien, CT) will create a dedicated physical space for patrons and staff to access NoveList; include NoveList in their existing subscription RA service, Bookfix; and hold training sessions for staff.
- Dover Public Library (Dover, NH) will utilize NoveList to reduce patron frustration with long wait times for popular titles and items with read-alikes, and keep them reading and using the database on their own while they wait.
- Pikes Peak Library District (Colorado Springs, CO) will hold a Book Lovers Mixer project, which includes a monthly podcast, NoveList trivia contests for staff, and highlighting NoveList's Appeal Mixer at different programs with a hired mixologist concocting custom-made drinks described using Appeal Language.
- Pittsford Community Library (Pittsford, NY) will create a customized photo booth for use at their family programs; hold a staff reading challenge; and create new RA materials including bookmarks and book lists.
- Washoe County Library System (Reno, NV) will create a monthly Early Literacy Newsletter targeting parents and caregivers of preschool children; provide staff training in using NoveList to support early literacy; and create early literacy-themed print and social media ads, posters, and bookmarks.
- Folsom Public Library (Folsom, CA) will hold two social media events inviting the public to ask for book recommendations, and staff will use NoveList to recommend new reads; hold a New Year, New Books event in January to jump-start reading resolutions for the coming year; promote NoveList with displays and posters.
- New Hanover County Public Library (Wilmington, NC) will host a Winter Reading Program to encourage use of NoveList as a resource for readers' advisory; conduct outreach at book club meetings and community centers, and generate excitement by creating wearable buttons that highlight individual reading tastes.
- Springfield-Greene County Library District (Springfield, MO) will provide in-depth staff training on using NoveList; hold a public "Books Make Great Gifts" program; establish a form-based RA service for patrons and local book groups.
- Lafourche Parish Public Library (Thibodaux, LA) will create custom training for both staff and patrons focusing on the accessibility of NoveList in the library and at home; hold a "Book a Trip" event at three library locations in preparation for summer reading programs and helping patrons find reading and listening materials during summer travel.
Each selected library will receive $1,000 to support their project at the conclusion of the program in 2017. Stay tuned as we share success stories from these libraries in the coming months. Looking for ways to promote NoveList and your reader services at your library? Check out the NoveList Idea Center for some fresh ideas.
Congratulations again to the recipients!
Lori Reed is the Marketing Specialist at NoveList.