I’m very excited and had to share this really not-beautiful but really successful YA Display. I got the idea from the Johnson County Library via Pinterest. (Thanks for sharing, JCL!)
I decided to go with the black and white theme and added some intrigue by calling it “Pick-up Lines”. There’s so little time at the beginning of the year, I did this as simply as I could. I had planned to lay some black paper and decorate the shelves a little more, but this is all I got done before the first classes came in.
I found a frame and a bunch of first lines, printed them out and set up the display. The first two junior high classes checked out half the books! That’s a pretty good number here as most of my displays in that section are barely noticed. One Grade 9 student even let me know that it’s a really fun display!
I gathered the first lines from all over the place including books in my library. I’m still working on more, hoping this keeps going for a while. Feel free to use the sign or covers, for which you’ll also need the first lines list to identify the titles.
- Print 2 quotes side by side on 8.5″ x 11″ paper landscape-wise.
- Cut the sheets and glue each quote to the right side of a sheet of construction paper.
- Attach a label to the reverse, with the title, author & call number.
- Laminate the sheets.
- Wrap sheets around the book so the cover is hidden (some books are too big but so far I’ve made it work).
- Crease it a little to square off on the spine.
- Attach a piece of clear tape from the back to the front, folding the end over to make a pull tab for removal.
- Design a sign (or print mine if you like) and set up the display!
I have now made a second batch from books gleaned from my shelves including some older gems to encourage some new circulation for them. I reserve the books for myself when they are borrowed, so I can set them back up on display once they are returned. I’m keeping track of the circulation on the master list as well and may remove some that don’t end up going out at all.
Like all displays, I’m sure this will have a limited shelf-life, so I will have to keep an eye on it so that it doesn’t get stale. In the meantime, I’m happy with its effectiveness. If you try it or have tried it, let me know in the comments how it went for you. I’d also love to hear if you have any other successful YA display ideas.
Beyond Survival in a School Library 
It’s a clever idea. I’m glad it’s been effective! I was going to look at the covers and first lines, but I was denied permission. Maybe I’m not old enough? 🙂
Thanks for letting me know! Maybe I copied the wrong sharing link. I’ve replaced the links now – hopefully with the right ones. Please let me know whether or not it works.
It doesn’t, but I think it’s me, not you. Apparently you have them on Google Drive, and i won’t use Google. Gmail is it. I know, I know. But don’t worry about it. I’m sure that it will work for others.
I thought it was open to everybody whether or not you have an account! I’ve never had this problem before. Any suggestions for otherwise sharing them?
Gosh, Cindy — I don’t know. Let me mess with it tonight and see if I can figure out how to use Google drive. This can be my little learning experience!
I still receive the message to request access, which I did. I’m not sure what the answer is.
I sent permissions through, but you shouldn’t need them now (see comment below) – hopefully… 🙂
Hi Cindy, I have the same problem asking for permission, your idea looks great 🙂
Hope it works now, please let me know.
Hi Cindy,
It now works thanks 🙂
Wonderful! Thanks for letting me know.
Thanks for your fantastic idea and sharing it, I can’t wait to start this next week up at the Secondary Campus 🙂
You’re welcome! But it wasn’t my idea – as far as I know Johnson Co. Library shared it first. 🙂 (See the link at the top of the post.)
I thought you’d be able to copy it if I gave ‘view’ permissions, but now I’ve just made it ‘public on the internet’ and kept a copy on my hard drive in case something happens to it. I hope that works for everybody.