All Things Library

Give ‘em what they want.

The ‘M’ Word-Marketing Libraries Blog posted, “Is your library looking to increase usage and attract new audiences?” Um yes! Is there a library who isn’t?  

Don’t get pissed off once you read the first few lines either—keep reading.  I know we are all guilty of promoting the things we like at our libraries. We all get caught up in Hobbit Day and Banned Books Week and tiny libraries.  I mean this is why I have a blog, I don’t get to talk about Banned Books Week or tiny libraries at work. 

We all need to think about what our patrons really want.  The ‘M’ Word suggests that people are planning trips and vacations right now (If you aren’t convienced The ‘M’ Word says, “According to a survey conducted by by Orbitz, 68% of Americans are planning a trip before Thanksgiving.”)  

This post make me think about what other things people have been asking for lately, like voter registration forms.  Here the voting registration deadline is October 12, and early voting starts mid-October.  My library is not only a location people can register to vote at, it’s a voting location on November 6.

I also thought of the time of year we do an excellent job of catering to our patrons wants and needs—tax time.  From February through April we are a tax preparing machine.  We have instructions on printing out forms, contact information, maps, and tax preparation help available for free.  No wonder we have a line out the door and into the parking lot when the library opens in the morning.  

How awesome would it be to have that line out front all year?  

Get your patrons traveling with The ‘M’ Word’s ideas for promoting travel resources at your library.