As warmer days appear and spring turns to summer, many people begin heading outside in search of games and fun. However, with all of this fun in the sun, it doesn’t always leave people thinking of visiting their local library or bookstore. So we wanted to share some ideas on how you can drive traffic to your local bookstores and library this summer. 

Book walk

A great way to keep people engaged during the summer would be to host a book walk! This is where you can take a book and display the different pages of the story along a path or trail. Or even in different parts of your town to make it more like a scavenger hunt. This activity is great for a weekend or a whole month, and it allows families who want to incorporate more reading into their lives to do so while still spending time outside. If you're not sure how to get a book walk started or need support, Cardinal Rule Press does a great job collaborating with local libraries and bookshops to create a personalized book walk with a book of your choice. You can apply for one whenever you want, at any time of the year! If you still have more questions about how a book walk works and other logistics, they have a great FAQ page on their website.

Host activities 

Parents are always looking for activities in the summer to keep their kids entertained and educated, so hosting special activity days would be a great way to bring them in. These activities can be book-related arts & crafts, such as making masks, magic wands, decorations, etc. There are lots of different lesson plans that teachers have created throughout the years that include crafts you can incorporate into your event as well. You could also host other fun activities, such as a summer costume party where everyone dresses as their favorite character. Movie nights either inside or out in the parking lot, where you can watch a film based on a book with popcorn or fun themed snacks. There are dozens of different activities and events that your library or bookshop could host that can be unique to your place.

Story Time 

Hosting story time a few times throughout the summer is another great way to draw in traffic. Whether it be outside in the shade of a tree or the children's section, taking an hour once every week or two keeps kids engaged with reading throughout the summer and brings families to your location. Another factor you can add to story time is having a special reader for the event, whether it's a costumed character such as a princess or a superhero, or an author of one of your popular books. Things like this can elevate your story time and keep families coming back week after week.

Here at Cardinal Rule Press, we are happy to help you with resources for your bookstore or library. Click HERE for your freebie!

Summer Reading Challenge

Something great for older and younger kids alike is a summer reading challenge. Set up a challenge that encourages kids to read multiple different books, depending on their age. When they complete a portion of the challenge, they can return for a prize, with a chance to win a grand prize if they complete the whole challenge by the end of the summer. This activity keeps kids reading all summer and interacting with their local book stores and libraries. These challenges can be unique to your store and can be a great way to self-promote throughout the summer.

Social Media

Now, this suggestion may seem a little obvious, but it is often put on the back burner for smaller libraries and bookstores. Yes, I’m talking about social media! Making sure to post and interact with your online community somewhat regularly is important for how often a consumer thinks about your business. Utilizing platforms like Instagram or Facebook to connect with local community members keeps your business front of mind. It keeps users up to date with all the different events and happenings at your location, and you can use it to promote all your summer activities. You can even join local groups on Facebook and keep active where you know most community members will be looking. 

Conclusion

As you can tell, there are so many creative ways to bring traffic to your library or bookstore. From fun activities to themed story times, families and readers are always looking for engaging ways to spend their summer. So make your space one of their go-to spots! 

Don't forget your free downloadable HERE!

Olivia Agnew is a senior at Northwood University, where she is studying Marketing with a minor in Marketing Communications. In her free time, she can be found reading, spending time with friends, or practicing for an upcoming marketing competition.