We have fantastic collections, both online and in print. How customers access our collections is changing rapidly. In order to continue to provide the quality readers’ advisory service we have always offered our customers no matter how they access collections, we came up with two new ways for discovery: a book club podcast and a zine featuring information about new comics with an emphasis on historical perspective as a way to feature our entire collection.

Our podcast Checked Out: A Virtual Book Club is produced by two staff members using our digital studio. It features book discussion, interviews and promotes related programming. 741.5 is created by a staff member with decades of experience drawing and reading comics. 741.5 informs new readers and those who are well-versed in the genre. Each edition, online and in print, features new comics along with a historical perspective that helps readers discover older material.

741.5 has increased usage and awareness of our graphic novel collection, now in the top three circulation categories in our library. It even inspired a feature in the local newspaper! Nearly 4,000 people have listened to Checked Out, and its listenership grows with each episode. One featuring Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz resulted in partnership with the Lexington Humane Society. Both initiatives have increased visibility of our collections and service to our community.