We had a very interesting interview with Karen Salmans, librarian at the Hanston City Library. According to Karen, the best way to entice the young generation to read more is to purchase books that they like and have a nice selection of books from your library to get the kids' attention. So far, everything that they need are available in their library. Know more about Hanston City Library by visiting swkls.org/hanston .
Where is your library and how can I access your website?
Central Kansas, Hanston....swkls.org/hanston
What sets your library apart from others?
mostly the inspirational fiction
I know you’ve seen hundreds of books this year, Karen. What are the most noteworthy books you have read recently?
TheHelp, The Last Jihad Series by Joel Rosenberg
With so many things you can do at your library, which ones seem to be the most popular?
the computer, bar none, is the popular item
Do you book speakers via Skype? If so, how would someone interested in speaking, reach out to you?
only at home
There are organizations that are promoting independent authors’ books, are you open to displaying these in your library Karen?
they don't usually go over very well, I've stopped getting them. We are a very small library with a small budget, so I only usually purchase what my patrons ask for and try to keep up with all the latest of their favorite authors
How many books would you say you purchase in your library every year?
approx. 200
Where do you buy your books? Ingram? Amazon? Overdrive?
mostly amazon and Sam's
What type of books are you searching for?
Inspirational fiction, Detective, mystery, intrigue
What kind of books do you wish publishers would make more available?
everything we need seems to be available to us
What are you doing personally to entice the younger generation to read more?
purchasing books they like, they are mostly attracted to what their friends like and the covers make the difference with kids, so try to get attractive ones that will catch their attention. have a nice section in the library for them
Do you offer eBooks at your library? Who supplies you with them?
no
The book industry was shaken by the economy. How was your library affected?
not a lot yet, the most effect has been the Kindle
With so much distracting people today, and with the affects of the recession, Karen, how do you get more and more people to come into the library instead of staying home playing video games?
I don't
Jeff Rivera is the award-winning author of "Forever My Lady"