RA Tool of the Week: 3 is the Magic Number, well technically 9 is . . .

If you are a regular reader, you have heard me mention before that I like to create templates in Canva and just use the copy feature to update them. That keeps me from having to start from scratch every week. In addition, I think it creates some recognition and familiarity that the patrons appreciate.

One of my favorite and re-occurring templates involves the number 3. This template came from a combination of my figuring out that the ideal number of book covers for visibility on a RA tool is 9 to 12 (any more than that and I think the covers get too small and lose their visual appeal). Also, at the time I was creating this template, I had the song “3 is the Magic Number” in my head on repeat. In fact, every time I work with this template my brain starts singing the song. What can I say, I was a child of the 80s and I watched a lot of School House Rocks. I also like the 3 column effect. I thought I was being very clever making 3 columns of 3 and finding creative ways to combine books to create a cohesive RA tool.

If I am remembering correctly, I was visually inspired by a publishers ad, probably in SLJ, for the columns. I can’t remember the ad, because it’s been a while. But I get a lot of visual inspiration from ads and other RA tools. One of the reasons I share my lists here is because I have benefitted greatly from other lists shared by my professional peers. We’re librarians, we share a lot.

There is a lot of versatility in this template. I change the background colors for each column. I change the wording next to each column. And I can make the theme anything I like. I recently read Aisle Nine which spurred my Horror, but Make it Funny heading, and then I ran with it. You can literally do anything. Some of my previous RA tools include Romance by Trope, Sci Fi by Type (space opera, alien invasion, and dystopian), and Killer Reads (Killer Cruises, Killer Camps, and Killer Games). A final advantage to this RA tool is that it gives the reader choices, but doesn’t overwhelm the reader with too many choices.

To change the color of the columns, I use the color dropper to color match an element from one of the book covers in that column. You have to be careful not to choose a color that blends too much with the covers, you need a bit of contrast. You still want those covers to pop.

Finding ways to connect books for readers and make this tool fun and interesting is one of my favorite parts of my day job. I can’t wait to see what you come up with.

Filed under: Reader's Advisory