# Surprise Library Events Blind Date with a Book Gives Overlooked Novels a Chance By Meghan Young | Published 2013-01-28 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blind-date-with-a-book References: [neatorama](http://www.neatorama.com/2013/01/27/At-the-Public-Library-Blind-Date-with-a-Book) & [storytimewithmissmollie.blogspot](http://storytimewithmissmollie.blogspot.ca/2012/06/display-blind-date-with-book.html) Some [libraries across the United States](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/freedom-to-read-weeks) have come up with a brilliant marketing ploy to encourage [more people to read](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/indigos-2026-reading-challenge): Blind Date with a Book. Essentially, a selection of [teen books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bizarre-bookshelf) 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." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.6/10 - Popularity: 44% | Activity: 85% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/books) ## Key Themes ### 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. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Date-Enhancing Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blind-dates.md) - [Book Matchmaking Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bookwish.md) - [Swipeable Book Discovery](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bookswipr.md) - [Open-Air Libraries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ikea-billyotheque.md) - [Nordic Library Book Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dawit-isaak-library.md) - [Banned Book Library Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/banned-books-library-card.md) - [Communal Reading Events](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reading-rhythms.md) - [Book-Inspired Public Benches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sit-down-to-read.md) - [AI-Powered Choose-Your-Own Adventure Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/playbrary-gpt.md)