During October we obviously see an increase in people seeking out horror titles. While some are just seasonal readers, others find that they really like the genre more than they thought.
We need to be ready with suggestions for reading all year, but we also need to help readers explore their interests on their own. One of the best ways to do that is to suggest free podcasts.
Now, I know some library administrators don't want you suggesting podcasts to patrons because they are not part of our collections and therefore don't generate circ stats. I have and entire post about this from last November about why you need to incorporate podcasts into your RA arsenal. So let's put that argument aside for today since I have already tackled it in length here.
One of the best ways to help our patrons continue to explore areas of leisure reading on their own is to help them identify some great podcasts. In the horror world we have many, and, they are both fiction [original storytelling] and nonfiction [about the genre].
As we have all seen with ourselves and our patrons, people love the bite sized storytelling medium that podcasts are. So show your patrons that you care about their new found horror love and still want to help them even after the Halloween displays go down. Post this annotated list from Lit Reactor of 33 Cool Podcasts For Horror Lovers in your building, on your websites, on your social media, and everywhere you have resource lists for patrons to find on their own.
[I would further argue that you need an entire podcast section as part of your RA resources, but baby steps.]
Start with this list. Make it visible, especially from now until the end of November [and then again in April; yes, I am still trying to make Halfway to Halloween a thing]. It is after Halloween when some people will start to realize that they did like horror and want more, but maybe not an entire book. This podcast list will keep the genre fresh in their minds and a regular part of their leisure "reading" until they pick up another book.
And when they want another scary tale, they will remember who had been there for them all along...the library. That is the key to what we do. Helping people fulfill their wants and making ourselves a part of what keeps them happy. They know we are their for their needs, but it is when we make it clear that their wants are just as important that we gain their admiration [and votes] for life.
See it's not all scares on this blog.
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