| By Gale Staff |
What does it mean to upsize reading experiences in your library? By expanding your large print collection, you can make reading more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
From reluctant adult readers to anyone who needs a break from digital devices, younger and more diverse audiences are finding the large print format. In response, librarians are diversifying their collections by adding today’s bestsellers, trending titles, and diverse authors in large print.
Curious about what’s driving new trends in large print readership and how librarians are approaching the format in new ways? Hear from a panel library workers for a in a Booklist-hosted. In this candid conversation, you’ll get ideas about how to balance traditional genres, popular titles, and diverse authors in your large print collection to create an in-demand selection of accessible reads and improve circulation in your library.
Upsize Reading Experiences: Expand Accessibility with Large Print
Bonus Perk: All webinar attendees will get downloadable posters to customize and print to spread awareness of large print in their library!
Meet the Panelists
Robin Bradford
Collection Development Librarian, Pierce County Library System (WA)
Author of The Readers’ Advisory Guide to Romance
Recognized as Romance Writers of America’s 2016 Librarian of the Year and a Library Journal Mover & Shaker in 2018, Robin Bradford is addicted to books and dedicated to helping others discover a love of reading. She has earned a B.A. and M.A. in English, an M.S. in library science, and a J.D., but has found a home in building reader-focused, popular collections in public libraries. She works with authors to help get their titles into these collections, with librarians to push for equal treatment of genre fiction, and with readers so that they can find their favorite authors on their library’s shelves.
Matthew Galloway
Collection Development Librarian, Anythink Libraries (CO)
Previously an archaeologist, Matthew Galloway earned his M.L.I.S. from the University of Oklahoma and has been in libraries since 2011. He currently chooses adult fiction for Anythink Libraries in Colorado. With a father in the U.S. military, Matthew grew up in Greece, Turkey, Australia, and Alaska. As a Korean American, he shares his multicultural experience to help choose titles for the Thorndike Press Diverse Voices standing order plan. According to Matthew, he’s addicted to book awards and library committees, and he gets excited about helping others.
Tyler Hahn
Director, Cherokee Public Library (IA)
Tyler Hahn is known for his commitment to library services, exemplified by his roles as the Midwest representative for the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) and a member of the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council, where he has been recognized as one of the state’s “STEM Gems.” Tyler has served on the Iowa Library Association’s executive board, highlighting the multifaceted roles of libraries in small and rural communities. As one of Library Journal’s 2024 Movers & Shakers, Tyler’s interests include leveraging local networks to build community capacity, promoting taxpayer education in public services, and advocating for small and rural library communities.
Sharon L. Sherman, Ph.D.
Bilingual Patron Experience Associate, Jefferson County Public Library-Belmar (CO)
Sharon L. Sherman describes herself as a bilingual storyteller. She currently uses her talents in her position as a bilingual patron experience associate at Jefferson County Public Library-Belmar. Previously, she worked as a middle school special education teacher in Jefferson County. Sharing her Latinx and Jewish perspectives, Sharon is also on the title advisory board for the Thorndike Press Diverse Voices standing order plan. Outside of her roles in storytelling and serving public libraries, Sharon is a Peruvian chef’s wife, mom to a 9-year-old feline “fur baby” named Mister, and an avid hiker.
Moderator: Amber Cummings
Library Sales Consultant, Thorndike Press
In her current role as a library sales consultant, Amber Cummings supports public librarians in Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Texas, and Wyoming. She earned her B.A. in English from Southern New Hampshire University and has worked for Thorndike Press for six years, previously as a sales enablement specialist. Amber lives in Maine with her husband and three dogs: Nachos, Buddy, and Yuji. Her husband also works for Thorndike Press, making large print a family business!
Save your virtual seat to join this group’s chat about upsizing reading experiences with large print. Watch webinar >
