People don't need libraries anymore. Information can be found easily, quickly, and cheaply online. Public libraries, if they are to avoid extinction, need to become places where people want to be. Dr. Řehák spent some time talking about his vision for public libraries: how we can make our libraries a place that people want to come to, with examples of libraries around the world who are implementing some of these practices. I think his ideas are very intriguing and worth thinking about for our own public libraries, and I want to paraphrase them here.
1. Make the library a beautiful and appealing place. While this can be expensive, in some cases just looking at the library with fresh eyes can help. For example, signs posted everywhere telling patrons what NOT to do can be a turn-off.
2. Make the library a center of activities. Even non-book-related events can draw in a new crowd and be an opportunity to show off the library and its services. Some examples:
- Kids' programs - bring in the whole family.
- Broadcasting center - produce and broadcast radio and/or TV programs from the library (I am proud to say that Northside is doing this!).
- Parties - some libraries have bookshelves on wheels, which can be easily moved aside to create a dance floor.
- The Helsinki Public Library loans musical instruments and has a music studio (another innovative Northside feature). In addition to helping artists record their music, the library will create CDs and distribute them, bringing the library to the center of the creative industry.
- Games - the Rotterdam Public Library features a large floor chessboard. People line up to play and watch.
3. Make the library user-friendly.
- Allow food and drink. After all, we allow patrons to take these books home, where they are certainly using them near all sorts of substances. Why the fear of this in the library itself?
- Provide comfortable and relaxing seating, so people want to stay and hang out.
- Provide kid-sized tables and chairs, including in the computer areas.
- Allow cell phone use; perhaps create a comfortable, closed-off area where users can talk without disturbing others.
4. Employ friendly, accessible librarians. Dr. Řehák cites Sherpa Tenzing Norgay as the prototype of the perfect librarian.
5. Ask people what they need. Marketing is not about shaping people to fit our use, but rather about shaping our use to fit the people.
Love this. And it's so true. While I love the library, I find so often that some public librarians aren't always that friendly, as if they "own" the place and we're lucky enough to tread on their fine institution.
ReplyDeleteThese are all fantastic ideas. I'm also glad to see that most of my local libraries have great kids' programs -- so it helps to get the little ones interested. But still . . . a long way to go. I wish our local libraries could read this post!
Thanks. It is in a way strange feeling to read one's own ideas paraphrased by someone else ... but you did that the best possible way. Actually your resume is better than my original presentation. Thank you!
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