Some libraries across the United States have come up with a brilliant marketing ploy to encourage more people to read: Blind Date with a Book. Essentially, a selection of teen books that are well-written but for some reason continue to collect dust have been wrapped in brown paper to give them a chance to be read. With only a brief set of instructions and a genre written on a sticker, people will have to put their faith in the librarian who choose the books.
According to librarian Mollie Kay who used the Blind Date with a Book ploy, "Within an hour of the display going up, more than half of the books were checked out. I hadn't anticipated such an occurrence, so I happily scrambled around for more books to wrap up and display."
What's Driving This Trend
- Reading Engagement
- Libraries are using creative marketing tactics like Blind Date with a Book to engage readers and encourage book circulation.
- Curated Reading Experience
- Wrapping books in brown paper with minimal information creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, enticing readers to take a chance on overlooked novels.
- Librarian as Curator
- Librarians are being valued for their expertise in selecting and recommending books, leading to increased patron trust and engagement.
Who This Affects Most
- Library Services
- Libraries can explore innovative programs like Blind Date with a Book to attract new patrons and revitalize book borrowing.
- Book Publishing
- Publishers can collaborate with libraries to highlight overlooked books through curated reading experiences, potentially increasing sales and discoverability.
- Marketing and Advertising
- Marketing agencies can develop creative strategies like Blind Date with a Book to generate buzz around products and engage audiences in a unique way.
