21 Examples of 21st Century Libraries

Speakers: Kim Bolan Cullin, Library Consultant; Rob Cullin, Founder, Evanced Solutions. Bolan and Cullin are authors of Technology Made Simple.
I left another session to catch some of this (why do these conflicts always happen - you want to be in two three sessions at the same time, must be that our MLA planners did a good job choosing topics), and I did not see anyone blogging, so I'll try to blog a little, and post a link the presenter (Kimberly Bolan) promissed.

1st topic: spaces. Kimberly spoke about how library spaces have changed or need to change as our libraries change.
2nd topic: green library.

Concepts: browsable library, good signage and way finding; flexible library - lightweight yet durable chairs, tables, stacks on casters); small meeting, study, quiet rooms; separate teen libraries, with their own activity space; "Zoned" children's spaces (by developmental stages) - different size furniture, etc.

9: Signage: needs to be planned in advance, but can leave some signage for a few month later when you see the use patterns. Flexible signage: make it easy to change, e.g. painted detail signs would be easier to change; digital signage.

10: Happiness Cycle: put the customer first, and you'll be happy too.

Be more business minded: balance community needs with library mission. Suggested that libraries can charge for some things (Rob Cullin).

11: New staff models: hire for attitude. Libraries hire people people: you need to love people more than you like books to be a good library staff member.

12: Food, phones and fun: do not ban cell phones, ask to put them on silent, have a cell phone booth. Healthy snacks in vending machines. Regarding noise: think about zoning - create a quiet zone, a community talking spot where youput a sign " by entering this area you agree that people can talk to you".

13: Multi-age Governance: teens on library boards; adult advisory boards.
14: More "Liberal" Meeting Space Policies. Open the meeting spaces for private and for profit groups and charge a modest fee, especially if your meeting space is underutilized.
Services:
15: Demise of the big service desk.
16: Customer convenience: one stop shopping - a vending machine for office supplies - pencils, pens etc; drive through holds pick-up or ATM style pick-up, locker systems. An audience member suggested mail (regional centers used to). Drive - through coffee draws people into the library.
17: Collaboration, Outreach and Partnership. Bring library service to schools, Wii to a senior center, etc.
Technology:
18: Supported Self Service. Self check helped by staff.
19: Virtual Spaces. Web.2 is dynamic. Reviews in the catalog (if your ILS is not offering it, try Chili Fresh).
20: Rethinking Tradition. How you lay out computers (collaborative computers), think about circulating laptops at your library, put a flat panel screens for information, sound domes instead of headphones.
21: Advanced Communication. Need faster communication method among staff, especially in a bigger building. Reach out using a Face book page, Twitter.

Ramsey County Library (MN), Maplewood branch implemented most of those changes, and their use increased very substantially.

indielibrarian.blogspot.com

librarybuildingconsultants.com

Message Development

Marci Merola, Director, ALA Office for Library Advocacy.


Perfecting your elevator speech:

1. Learn your library issues. Stay informed, learn your environment.
   
2. Know who might ride your "elevator." Learn all you can about the people who make decisions about library funding.


3. Connect your issue to their issue. What matters to them, how do you motivate them?


4. Practice. practice, practice. Advocacy has to happen every day, not just to your legislators. Articulate your passion.

Resources:

Use the calculator "What's your library worth to you?" In these tough economic times, libraries provide a solution.

Add It Up

Advocacy University Resources www.ala.org/advocacyuniversity

http://www.ilovelibraries.org/ Marci encouraged us to contribute our stories.

Strategies to getting the message out:

Internally and externally. Internally: newsletter,web site. Advantages - total control. Externally - press releases, other contacts with the media. A bit more complicated. Need to watch local media with a critical eye, find a reporter who can become your champion. Keep building your relationships with the media. Refer to Library Advocate Handbook.

Everybody needs a Crisis Communications Plan: Who is the spokesperson? Director? Chair of the Trustees? Have a policy.

Your voice and efforts are important: "Anyone who thinks they are too small to be effective has never been in bed with a mosquito."

Keynote Speaker, Cathy DeRosa

Cathy DeRosa is VP for the Americas and Global VP of Marketing at OCLC, where she is responsible for marketing, library services and support and advocacy programs. She has contributed to a number of publications on library use, awareness, brand recognition, funding and privacy issues in the digital age.

In 2007, OCLC was awarded a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to explore attitudes and perceptions about library funding and to evaluate the potential of a large-scale marketing and advocacy campaign to increase public library funding. A study was done to identify library supporters.

How do we identify potential supporters of library funding? They spoke to local elected officials. They are fans of the library, but when asked about money, 73 % thought the libraries have enough money to operate.

What makes library funding possible? The study tried to segment the population into those who would and those who would not support the library.

The study found eight things:
There’s a lot that people don’t know about their public libraries. They know traditional services and Internet access; they do not know the many other services. Most important, they do not know impact, reach or results
Most people claim they’ll support the library at the ballot box—fewer are firmly committed to it.
Library support is only marginally related to visitation.
Your perceptions of the librarian are highly related to support. This pertains to all staff, not just the librarian. (Passionate librarian).
The library occupies a very clear position in the realm of ‘purposeful information’ where it’s very difficult to compete. Relates to encyclopedias and other means of purposeful search.
Your belief that the library is a transformational force in people’s lives is directly related to your level of support. Quotes: “Makes you feel good about yourself,” “empowers you,” etc.
Elected officials are more connected to and supportive of the library than the public – and yet most feel the library has sufficient funding. This group of “probable supporters” is very important.
Increasing support for libraries may not mean a trade-off with financial support for other public services.

Support for libraries is not demographic. Attitude and perceptions matter more. Divided into:
Super Supporters: demographically average.
Probable Supporters: these are the ones we need to focus on.
Barriers to Support: financially strapped; detached (interestingly, the most financially able to support); the Web wins.
Our local officials are usually in the second group. We need to focus on them. What are the messages that matter? We need to re-frame the message: stop talking about the services we provide, etc. We need to talk about transformation. Highlight what a transformational place a library can be.

We learned in 2009 that everything can change.
People have moved from the trade-up to trade-off mindset.
People are rediscovering the things they find most valuable in their lives, which is a wonderful opportunity for libraries.

What they will try in 2009 (research in Georgia and Iowa; time frame: June through September): what messages they can create to help identify potential supporters, and change the perceptions of probable supporters?
Shows potential to create a movement within the community
Shows the potential to shift perceptions of the library from “information” to “transformation”
Activates Probable Supporters and mobilizes Super Supporters
Creates a foundation to drive commitment to financial support for the library, when the time is right
Makes the library personally relevant
Raises awareness, drives action and sparks conversation
Has stopping power and staying power.

See OCLC website for more info: www.oclc.org/reports/funding/default.htm

Quotes and tips from Sample Legislative Breakfast

Keith M. Fiels: "People are turning to libraries in record numbers. The question is - are libraries going to be there for them?"

"Every time I hit a pothole in Chicago, I hope the money [that would have fixed it] is going to the Chicago Public Library."

Rep. Don Humason: "Have a legislative breakfast in your municipality. Invite your officials to a library tour. Invite them to join the library Friends group."