Shelf-Awareness.com has an interesting article,  Face Outs Push Up Sales at Borders ‘New Concept’ Store, in its March 6th newsletter.   When I was in Christian retail I often encouraged our staff to face out as much as possible.  I often described it as being like comparable to the difference in a ‘billboard’ and a simple street sign.  Obviously the ‘billboard’ is much easier to see.  Does ‘Face Out’ books more effectively influence you or is ’spine out’ just as good?

Now that I’m a librarian I like to put more books ‘face out’ but in practicality it is not quite as easy.  It makes it a little more difficult to keep books in proper order - especially for others (other than the one who ‘faced it out’)  who are shelving books.

Are you a librarian who has struggled or thought about this?  What do you think?