Or a library, or anywhere else there are books to be loved?At BEA there was a panel of "young adult specialists" that talked about what it takes to get teens through the doors of your business and buying books. I'm not sure what makes someone a young adult specialist nor how you apply for a position with that title but I guess working in the YA section of a bookstore or library is a qualifying factor.
That article mentions involving teens in coordinating events and posting fliers for events where teens normally hang out. A librarian noted that a good way to get teens looking at books at one of these shindigs is to bring them in and then strew books all over the place, regardless of whether they're related to the event or not. The important thing being they're within eye shot and that's all that matters.
An aspect I found kind of insulting is that the publisher on the panel claimed that teens don't know what they want when it comes to reading. O_o Really? I beg to differ. I think teens know exactly what they want. This entire YA book review blogopshere alone is a testament to that.
So what gets you walking through the doors of a bookstore or a library? Are you there with intent or just to hang out? Did something catch your eye or are you there on impulse? Would you jump all over the opportunity to help coordinate things like author events if a bookstore worker approached you?
12 comments:
Bishonen/Pretty Boy Mangas seem to work well for the local Borders, plus iced coffee.
I usually go to libraries with a purpose: I need to use the Internet, have holds available, or am really really determined to find something that I can take with me to the gym when I go on the elliptical (bleh, I sound like an old lady). I go to bookstores for the atmosphere: there's just something about being surrounded by all those new-smelling and pretty books, scanning the shelves, reading back covers, and smiling furtively as someone else next to you is doing the same.
Trouble is that both are rather one-way locations so far. I would've loved to have been part of a teen library committee or something back in high school, but there was no such thing, or if there was, it wasn't advertised well enough. Advertising is HARD, man, but it's necessary. Bookstores and libraries can learn from one another to make themselves into places for real communities of book-lovers and -discussers.
Since there's no way to support my book habit I rely on the library quite a bit. I go there once a week to drop books off and pick books up. Unfortunately it is slim pickings when it comes to bookstores and since I'm not rich which would be nice I don't often actually buy books.
II go into libraries with a puropse, but I just kind of wander into bookstores and see what jumps out at me. I usually don't go into a bookstore with a purpose because if there's a specific book I want to bul I'll get it off of amazon.
Events, sales, and unique opportunities i won't have other places. otherwise, it will always be a planned occurrence based on need.
I agree with you, I might not have been a teen for quite some time now but I certainly new what I wanted to read. In fact, I think I was a lot more particular then to.
I can't say what makes a teen go into a library, free technology would help I expect, but I've always loved libraries and book stores. In fact, they've always been my favourite shops!
When I was a teenager, getting me into a library or a bookstore was the easiest thing in the world. Libraries supported my book cravings when I was too poor to buy everything I wanted, and wandering book store aisles gave me new titles to add to the list, while providing a sense of calm that can only come from smelling hundreds of words on fresh, clean paper.
I go to libraries. And yes, I would jump over the opportunity to help coordinate author events if someone were to approach me.
I see a bookstore and I just go in. Even if I don't have money or if I don't want anything specific, I just like browsing around :)
I'm addicted to bookstores. It's like my favorite place to be. And whenever I buy something I'm just so happy and exited its weird really. So, yeah if you want people like me -already passed teenager- to go into a bookstore you just have to place it right in front of me ;P
I know what I want to read, tyvm :D
When I go into either, it's with intent. Speaking as a YA, i can say that I LOVE bookstores and libraries.
I go to the library with a purpose, but my kids will go for the teen events. We don't go to bookstores...they closed down, well, all but one and that one is sooooo small. I can't breath when I am inside.
I was at the library constantly when I was younger. My dad always brought me, I just couldn't get enough of it! And this independent bookstore that used to be in my town but it ended up closing. I was so sad when that happened. I loved that place! Now it's a baby consignment shop. Blah.
And I do think it's patronizing for that YA publisher to insinuate that teens don't know what they want to read. Mmmkay.
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