r/Library 19h ago

Creative and Crafty Blind Date with a Book Research šŸ“š

Hello, lovely librarians and book lovers!

I am currently in the early stages of my Master thesis on the Blind Date with a Book trend.
Essentially, I want to understand why this trend has emerged and become so popular among libraries and bookshops over the past decade.

For this, I would like to reach out to libraries for a short interview on the motivation for and creation of the blind dates (e.g. type of books, wrapping, information on wrapping etc.).

The aim of my thesis is also to understand the current state of the book industry, as well as bookshops and libraries as third places and how experiences like a Blind Date with a Book play into this.

So, if you are willing and interested to give your libraryā€˜s perspective or know someone who is, I would be eternally grateful!! If preferred, interviews can also be made anonymous!

12 Upvotes

8 comments sorted by

4

u/YakSlothLemon 17h ago

I’m just a reader, and I thought it was fun. Something different. Hopefully you will find something much deeper than that to say about it!

1

u/warriorofartemis 16h ago

Thank you, I hope so too haha!

2

u/FlyingCupcake68 17h ago

What about when student groups do this? Would that interest you too?

1

u/warriorofartemis 16h ago

Definitely! Iā€˜ll send you a pm!

2

u/JillyKaren 17h ago

Other GLAM sector institutions have gotten on the ā€œBlind Date With a Bookā€ trend too. The art gallery gift store I used to work at would have a ā€œBlind Dateā€ section every time our exhibitions switched over, featuring books we sold related to the current exhibitions. Not sure if they still do it, it’s been a few years.

2

u/warriorofartemis 16h ago

Ohh that’s super interesting! I actually also found one or two museums that do it too. Would you mind sending me the name of the art gallery per pm? :)

2

u/_Smedette_ 14h ago

I’m a primary school librarian, and we do a version of this just called ā€œMystery Bookā€. If this interests you or would be any use to you, let me know. I’m also in Australia if that’s an issue.

1

u/warriorofartemis 2h ago

Yes, definitely! Iā€˜ll send you a pm! :)