r/Library • u/brokenhubble • 1d ago

Discussion Alternative ways to promoting junior non fiction in your library

We’re thinking about how to make junior nonfiction more browsable and engaging, rather than relying only on traditional Dewey shelving.

I’m curious if people have implemented practical ideas that have actually lifted circulation or just engagement with this section of library.

We have a service that is a bit conservative with new ideas, but maybe we’re not the only ones. Anybody tried simple, creative approaches?

For example:
Have people tried book boxes or bins, or “Dewey-lite” subject groupings?

Have people used face-out displays, rotating interest displays, or new-title tables?

Does anyone have experience with using signage, layout, or promotion ideas that made nonfiction feel less intimidating for kids and parents?

4 Upvotes

76% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

2

u/Icy-Mess-860 1d ago

Nonfiction is tricky but I have had some success in putting more non fic books as displays on tables (especially the really eye catching ones, like DK books or books with lots of cool nature pics) and pulling a lot of my nonfiction picture books to put closer to the rest of the picture books in their own display.

1

u/ReadTheReddit69 20h ago

We keep everything Dewey but have face out easels at the end of the rows, highlight new jnf on a display for the first 6 months we have it, and do occasional themed displays like "Wild World" or "Learn Something New"

Also, end cap signage: Dewey range on top, and underneath we list popular subjects found in that range (i.e., "Dinosaurs," "Holidays," "Space," "Folklore"

1

u/ontheshelves 14h ago

Could you pair a nonfiction book with a fiction book in a display? Like this book is set in China here is a nonfiction book about China. 

Our library also has tags on the shelf that stick out a couple extra inches and they will put stickers to represent the subject (planets/ firetrucks/ a historical person etc)

-1

u/ProposalPowerful4544 1d ago

Diary of the wimpy kid display  Babysitter club the graphic novel display  Dog man display 

-1

u/ProposalPowerful4544 1d ago

Maybe make a survey online and ask what do you want more from the junior section or on paper. Or ask the kids and parents personally and say hey what stuff do you really like? I know a lot of kids love different stuff. I watch a lot of tiktok videos of teachers working in libraries and kids are all over the place with different books.