Posted June 27, 2016
When evaluating reach, most public libraries find they have no problem drawing women. But men? That can be more challenging. According to a January 2011 Harris Interactive Poll: Sixty-five percent of those polled said they had visited the library in the past year; 72% of women had visited, while just over half (58%) of men had.
As libraries try to find new ways to attract men to the library, many librarians have asked for help identifying titles that appeal to masculine tastes – beyond just westerns and nonfiction titles.
To address this need, Thorndike has created a new large print standing order plan, Bill’s Bookshelf, which is curated by expert book-selector Bill Kelly. As the Adult Programming Manager for the Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL), Bill Kelly knows a little about books that people like. He is the Chair and Co-Founder (along with Nancy Pearl) of CCPL’s Reconnect with Reading Committee. Bill has served as Chair of the American Library Association’s Notable Books Council, as a jurist for the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction, and as a judge for The Story Prize. He has presented programs nationally on Readers’ Advisory and is the 2013 recipient of the Allie Beth Martin Award.
This new plan, available now, will feature mostly fiction and a few nonfiction titles from a mix of bestselling, nationally known, and debut authors whose works will have a strong appeal to men. For just $48 per month, libraries can bring two titles to their library in large print — the format that meets the needs of all readers. And while they’re chosen for male readers (based on preferences identified by reading patterns and trends), these titles are sure to appeal to all readers.
What kinds of titles will you get? Well, here are some examples:
- A Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
Septimania by Johnathan Levi
A Doubter’s Almanac by Ethan Canin
The Mirror Thief by Martin Seay
With many more fascinating, appealing titles yet to come. And, as with all our subscription plans, you’ll save money: save 25% and receive free shipping.
To learn more about rounding out your large print collection with a subscription to Bill’s Bookshelf, contact your Library Sales Consultant at 1.800.223.1244 Ext 4. Or order your subscription now at www.gale.com/thorndike.