5 Things You Can Do To Get Your Library Noticed
February 10, 2012By Bryan Long, Account Executive, EOS International
In a world of diminishing budgets and where Google is King, libraries are put in a position to need attention.
They need to be used. If libraries are used, their patrons will then fight for them to remain open when they are on the budget’s chopping block. With that in mind, below are 5 things Libraries can do to get noticed and provide top of mind awareness.
1) Jack-Up Your OPAC
When your car gets a flat, you have to jack-up the car to fix it. Similarly, when your OPAC is looking drab, dreary or otherwise flat, it’s time to jack-it-up. Add new logos, change the colors, and integrate with the latest technology from your OPAC software. If your OPAC looks ancient, your patrons will think it and its resources might be as well. But if it looks current and modern they will feel the resources are up-to-date and relevant.
2) Employ Technology
Allow your patrons integrate with you in new ways via technology. This could be through RSS feeds, Search Widgets on their Google Account page and/or integration on your SharePoint portal. Allowing multiple places for your patrons to begin their searching experience, will get your library noticed.
3) Play Nice with Others
If your library is in an environment that does not have proprietary materials, begin sharing your collection with other libraries. Lend them your items and borrow from them. If patrons from other libraries find necessary items in your library, you will increase your transactions. Ask other libraries for a link to your Catalog on theirs and vice versa; the more links that point to you, the more awareness you will have. If you have a library association or committee you are a part of, you can ask the same from them.
4) Chat It Up
Though chatting about your library is important, why not chat with your patrons? This can be done by using different easy-to-use Chat Software so you can answer LIVE reference questions. Again, the more ways the patrons have to get what they’re looking for, the better.
5) In the News
Starting a library newsletter could be a way to stay on the radar of your patrons. If you do not have the time or resources to do that, perhaps you could simply email your patrons with a brief blurb about any of the above enhancements you have made.
Be Creative
By being creative in the ways you stay on top of people’s mind, the more they will think to come to you for their needs. This will trigger transactions in your library. Transactions will prove your usefulness and help maintain the ever-so-needed institution that is: The Library.
What have you done to get your library noticed?
