A MUST READ

"The Aesthetics of Merchandise Presentation" by Joseph Weishar is by far the BEST current book on the subject. I read it cover to cover and just want to yell from the top of the book shelves "Yes, Yes, Yes! This can work in libraries too!" From Kmart to Nordstroms the book runs the gamut on what works and how to do it. Come on libraries and librarians. There IS a right and wrong way to do things. Do we want to look classy and polished and get our stuff checked out?

Introductions

We started this site as a forum for library merchandising. We both believe that merchandising library collections to their full potential will create interest, make for a more enjoyable visit and increase circulation.

Trish brings over 15 years of retail experience with many different companies. Along with customer service, she has merchandised products, designed and executed displays, and set up new store locations. Jenny has been a librarian for over 15 years. Her charge at the Schlessman Family Branch of the Denver Public Library was to try this new thing: “library merchandising”.

When we met, we both recognized the usefulness of merchandising and the success created when these principles are applied to libraries. After giving numerous presentations on library merchandising, we decided to reach out across the web to create a place for an exchange of ideas and resources. We were surprised and pleased to find that library merchandising has appeared in library literature as early as the 1970s. Our goal is to add retail know-how to the mix to create a unique and handy source for you to consult when merchandising your collection. Our intention is to demonstrate these proven retail techniques in order to promote your collections through enticing experiences and help you create an identity for your library. Both, in turn, will build customer and community loyalty.