Visual merchandising for public libraries

A CILIP Training Session for Staff Working in Public Libraries

Online Half-Day Course

23 May 2023 10am-1pm

How do we manage our library spaces and display our stock to ensure customers have a great experience and easily discover what our libraries have to offer? Visual merchandising can help to create spaces that encourage users to stay longer, check out more books, and return for more. This session looks at the library space and considers the best ways to display and market our stock.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn about the concept of libraries as public spaces
• Gain knowledge of the basic principles of visual merchandising in a way that is specific  to books and other library materials
  
• What is shelf appeal? Increase your understanding of the importance of library material presentation through visual merchandising in terms of customer reactions and expectations
• Learn which changes can positively affect circulation and how to implement them
• Become familiar with potential challenges and solutions that are inherent with the different buildings, shelving, staffing levels 
• Share experiences, tips and tricks to improve customer experience of your physical library spaces

Trainer: Nicola Rogers,
Partnership Manager, Lincolnshire Libraries

A qualified and Chartered Librarian, Nicola started her career in public libraries as a Saturday Assistant in Northamptonshire two days after her 16th Birthday! Over the last 30+ years she has worked in a wide variety of roles in Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and Lincolnshire.

As the county lead for Reader Development (RD) she attended and delivered training at a county and regional level and was part of the cohort of RD Librarians that worked with Opening the Book testing their Frontline course. During a county-wide change programme she worked closely with library consultants Embervision, looking at the presentation of library spaces and stock and how the use of retail techniques and psychology can be used to positive affect in public libraries.

Alongside libraries she has also managed a Tourist Information Centre and Heritage sites in the course of her career and studied retail and customer experience as part of a Heritage Management MA.

Professional Knowledge and Skills Base (PKSB)

Venue: Online using Zoom

The course is hosted through our online video conference system. This software is optimal for audience participation and provides free, accessible and remote access. Delegates will be sent details of the Zoom link as part of their joining instructions.

A CILIP Training event, provided for library staff working for GLL and other staff working in public libraries.