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| Well Worth Reading | |||
| Well Worth Reading is a national scheme to
promote literature in libraries, and is generally recognised as the pioneer of a
professional, systematic and long term approach to widening readers’ choices in
libraries. |
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| It is run
collaboratively by West Sussex, Dorset and Hampshire Library Authorities and co-ordinated
by Miranda McKearney. Well Worth Reading was started with a grant from Southern Arts in the late 1980s, and operated on a pilot basis for three years, producing two themed promotions of contemporary fiction for adults a year. In the pilot phase, the scheme experimented with partnerships in different sectors of the commercial world (including library suppliers, bookshops and publishers). It monitored the quantity and quality of library users’ reading experiences as a result of the schemes’ recommendations, and also looked at staff attitudes. The conclusion was that the pilot phase had been extremely successful, so in 1990 the three library authorities moved into a new independent phase, working on a self financing basis. Promotions are now developed by librarians in the three originating counties, and then offered to other library authorities. Over 70 library authorities have used the tailor made promotions. Well Worth Reading is currently sponsored by Morley Books What’s available? Contemporary fiction promotions The editorial team deliberately mix well known with less familiar writers, as research shows that users like the reassurance of seeing familiar names, and are often prepared to make the leap from these to unknown authors. Each theme is developed through three separate items: leaflets, bookmarks and posters. In the A4 leaflets twelve of the titles are reviewed in some detail. The remainder receive shorter mentions. All reviews are written by librarians; research has shown that readers are more likely to make satisfying choices if they are given unbiased information at the point of borrowing. Most libraries use these fiction promotion materials to create arresting displays, backing them up with multiple copies of the selected books. These often disappear very rapidly! Themes currently being worked up for 1996 include Foreign Bodies, a promotion focusing on crime novels and Weird Worlds, novels about alternative realities. Prices range from £60 for 500 leaflets to £9.50 for ten posters. BOOX - promoting teenage reading BOOX is a sophisticated 12 page, full colour magazine. Written mostly by teenagers, it is an anarchic mixture of reviews, celebrity articles, reader profiles, and features. There’s a poetry page, a fantasy and graphic novels feature and a Problem Page where Nick Fisher answers letters from characters in classic novels. At its launch the writer Pete Johnson said BOOX doesn’t just plug a gap in the market, it fills a gaping hole". It has been widely distributed through public libraries, school libraries, School Library Services and youth organisations. It is likely that there will be future issues of the magazine. Poster range The posters are glossy, arresting and funny. A single set costs £17.50, a Multi Pack costs £50.00 and a Jumbo Pack costs £175.00 |
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| Details of all Well Worth Reading products and the scheme’s future plans from: Miranda
McKearney |
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