Wanna create exciting teen public library spaces that attract customers like bees to honey? You can generate buzz if you mix popular young adult reading and entertainment trends with inspired visual displays!
What's that you say - you are not creative and you don't know where to start? Wellllll, not so fast. First of all, if you work in a teen library, chances are you are already an expert. Also, as library people, otherwise known as "Information Specialists", you sure know how to find quality information online or in-person. Instead of opting-out, what you may need is a few more resources in your toolbox to help you spot trends and figure out how to work it to draw in the young folk.
While we are at it - you say you are not creative? We hear that a lot too and that's okay. It's definitely not everyone's forte. So, here's an idea...Do you have volunteers but not enough for them to do? Teens make great designers/decorators. You just have to provide the basic ideas, materials, and direction. Doesn't sound like you? Check around and see if anyone on staff has a fever-for-the-flavor to either make it happen themselves or work with your volunteers. There's usually already someone around who is more than happy to make some pretty.
Top 3 Reasons to Trendwatch
1) Attract Teens
2) Stay Relevant
3) It's Fun!
One more thing, embracing trends is not a simply a shallow undertaking. Depending on how you look at it, most public libraries house popular collections, and popularity is not paper thin. If you grasp the teen essence, you will see that trends capture signposts of personal development which can include rite of passage themes through adventure, experimentation, rebellion, romance and so much more. So, in my opinion, when you tap into a trend, you are tapping into much more than what meets the eye. Just think about it.
Fellow co-worker Ms. Ashley Young contributed:
ReplyDeleteThere was a whole intro to this email and somehow it was erased when I was on desk. Anyway, I wanted to add that one of the major trends I’ve been seeing is a resurgence of the “toy camera” or “vintage photo” look, I think brought about by the Hipstamatic app that’s on the iphone. Urban and Anthro have been doing it for years but now that the younger kids are capable of doing it on their phones its everywhere. I dunno, it may be on its way out but for now I think its worth mentioning.
Moving on:
http://www.nylonmag.com/articleslideshow.php?&parid=5045&imgnum=5&photoindex=1
librarians are going to love this trend!
plus it could definitely be a segway into the vintage look that is still prevalent in the late teen stores.
another thing that might be mentioned is type-focused art work, I've always loved fonts and type in general (go figure), but lately its coming out into mainstream. I love what Neil Kellerhouse did with the new HUGE flick The Social Network posters. His work in general is pretty awesome, IMO.
http://www.kellerhouse.com/#/?item=34
also, another nerdy website I love: for the type enthusiast in you: http://typo-graphical.com/
From what I'm gathering, the florescents will be back again soon (fashion mags are calling it spring '11), this time not because of Kanye.
This is too much fun, Mia...I don't feel like I'm working! :D
BTW(Library Lady Love here), I just downloaded the Hipstomatic app for $1.99 and I'm looking forward to playing with it!