Hey 2020, We’re Here!
New year, fresh start,
fresh ideas, new approach.
… that pretty much sums up what I’ve been thinking about this January: where do I want the Reading Tub to go in 2020 and how will we get there? It’s the age-old process of looking forward and looking back to figure out what’s going to best not just for us, but for you, our readers, followers, and fans.
The result of all this thinking and rethinking is a 4-point plan to streamline our processes and, at the same time, provide more of the information you want and expect from the Reading Tub.
Tailored Content
It starts here. Over the next few months we will be moving to a new communication platform for newsletters. As part of that transition I will be adjusting our processes so that you can further refine the information you receive, and how frequently.
The plan: Move newsletter-like content to the blog. I’ll also be writing some how-to posts on ways to get the most out of your searches here on the portal.
Expand Family Literacy Content
What makes the Reading Tub unique is our focus on “lifestyle literacy.” That is, helping people connect with and incorporate literacy concepts into daily life with practical, realistic activities and ideas.
In 2020, I want to grow our space dedicated to library and library-related activities. Libraries are an INCREDIBLE, free resource to support families with the work they do at home. While some of us are very familiar with our local library and its services, others may not realize just how much the library can do for – and with – them.
The Plan: Feature guest posts by librarians from different types of libraries, with different specialties: school (elementary, middle, high school), public, mobile, etc. If you know someone interested in writing an occasional article, feel free to share this post with them.
Do More with Book Reviews
I ADORE our teen reviewers and love posting their reviews. But. I don’t always get them out on social in a timely manner.
The Plan: Create a new feature. Fourth Friday Reviews will be a collection of excerpts from our favorite reviews of the month. Look for the first one Friday, 24 January 2020.
Highlight Best Practices & Hot Topics
The Reading Tub generates a lot of its own content with reviews and blog posts, but we spend most of our time reviewing other, trusted sources to introduce you to great content that already exists, as well as keep you up-to-date on hot topics in the literacy community.
Although we also Tweet this content and put some of it on our Facebook page, there is no easy way to direct you to that content within our Literacy Portal.
The Plan: Publish a monthly post [yet untilted] that aggregates literacy and reading news from the previous month, also highlights curated book and read-alike lists recently added to the portal, and explains one of the unique features of the potal.
Sounds great! I look forward to following you in this new decade, and finding lots of useful information. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you, too, Jen! Looking forward to following your bookworm’s journey (and how she is more and more like you all the time), lots of great ideas, and bringing the joy of reading to new audiences.