Libraries are more than just places to borrow books, they are also hubs of learning, creativity, and community. But how can you attract and retain library users in a time of digital distractions, limited budgets, and competing demands? Here are some ideas to help you creatively engage library users and make your library a vibrant and welcoming space.
One way to engage library users is to offer a variety of programs that cater to different interests, ages, and needs. You can host book clubs, workshops, lectures, storytimes, games, crafts, and more. You can also partner with local organizations, experts, or volunteers to provide specialized or niche topics, such as gardening, genealogy, or coding. Programs can help library users discover new resources, learn new skills, and connect with others.
Libraries are more than just book repositories. Often they are the hub of a community, a safe place for people to gather. Libraries should be looking to partner with locals who have skills in particular areas. A genealogy session for example - how to access the resources your library can offer you for FREE! We need to teach people that libraries are more than just books.
Go into the community your library serves. Volunteer with your coworkers at non-profit organizations and build relationships with other businesses in the community. This is a great way to assess the ever-changing needs of a community and to develop creative ideas for programming.
Diversity and functionality are defining characteristics of the programs we run at the library where I am employed. In our Youth Services department (children and teens), we partner with local vendors and organizations that we've gotten to know and trust over the years to run story times, dance classes, crafts, coding, Toast Masters, and chess clubs for elementary-aged kids, as a few examples. Regular communication with patrons and their families and local school districts helps us gauge interests and needs, stay organized and set firm parameters on formatting, size, frequency and registration policies. As one of few Asian employees there, I can attest that having a culturally diverse workforce is an asset in planning and execution.
Going the extra mile has proven to be beneficial in diversifying library programs. From Storytime at my library, where we have a once-a-year all-out celebration of our culture through storytelling and recognizing our diversity, to a women's cooking club and a seniors social group, there is something for everyone. we also created a popup library at the soccer field where we engaged soccer fans. we connect with user community and help them learn new skills and competencies.
Some of the ways to engage library users and attract them to your library is to create a very accessible library, resource. Ensure the library is up to date with latest trends and information. Indulge in the use of AI to foster an engaging learning experience with your readers. Promote current awareness services to entice your readers to want to visit the library. Invest in resources that truly meet the required needs of the community or readers as against just building collections that are not needed or important.
Another way to engage library users is to create interactive displays that showcase your collections, services, or themes. You can use posters, props, quizzes, puzzles, or digital tools to invite library users to explore, participate, or share. For example, you can create a display about travel and ask library users to pin their dream destinations on a map, or you can create a display about poetry and ask library users to write their own haikus. Interactive displays can spark curiosity, conversation, and feedback.
Identify the needs of the users through library evaluation and feedback systems. Find out new trends and keep up-to-date through continuous learning. Nowadays users are aware of the resources and facilities around them, so our duty as a librarian is to guide or support them to access and utilize the resources.
En mi experiencia, una estrategia efectiva para involucrar a los usuarios de la biblioteca ha sido el dise?o de espacios interactivos. He encontrado gran éxito al reutilizar muebles antiguos, como los catálogos de fichas, para crear zonas de interés. Al a?adir preguntas relevantes para los usuarios, se despierta la curiosidad, especialmente entre los jóvenes. El hecho de que puedan leer las aportaciones de otras personas actúa como un estímulo para seguir interactuando y participando activamente en estos espacios.
A third way to engage library users is to use social media to communicate, promote, and interact with them. You can use platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube to share news, events, tips, or stories. You can also use social media to solicit input, feedback, or suggestions from library users, or to run contests, challenges, or polls. For example, you can ask library users to share their favorite books, quotes, or photos related to your library, or you can challenge them to complete a reading bingo or a scavenger hunt. Social media can help you reach out to new or existing library users, and build a sense of community and engagement.
TikTok for libraries has been growing and growing, especially as a way to reach the teen audience. We rely on on FB and IG to reach our patrons but teens rarely use these platforms. Their parents do, so the information can make its way through them, but TikTok is ultimately better to reach them directly. For now, at least ??
Consider running short surveys using both digital and traditional channels to find out where your users are and follow them where they are. At universities, most academics and students are now spending more time on Tiktok and LinkedIn than on twitter and Facebook. Create engaging content using platforms where your users are.
En mi experiencia, la red social que ha tenido mayor impacto en las bibliotecas es Instagram, principalmente para los usuarios jóvenes y estudiantes que siguen las tendencias del día a día mediante historias, reels o publicaciones relacionadas con actividades. De esta forma se atrae a los potenciales usuarios y a los recurrentes.
A fourth way to engage library users is to provide flexible spaces that suit different purposes, preferences, and activities. You can arrange your furniture, shelving, or equipment to create zones for quiet study, group work, relaxation, or creativity. You can also offer movable or modular furniture or partitions that allow library users to customize their own spaces. You can also provide spaces for special events, such as pop-up shops, exhibitions, or performances. Flexible spaces can help library users feel comfortable, supported, and inspired.
Considero que este punto es importante tenerlo en cuenta. Podemos tener el mejor equipamiento tecnológico, el mejor software, los últimos libros... pero, ?de qué nos sirve todo esto si no tenemos un buen mobiliario y un espacio donde se puedan realizar actividades? Y no necesariamente tiene que ser un espacio amplio, sino que tiene que ser un espacio de calidad que en donde los usuarios puedan sentirse a gusto en la Biblioteca.
I think this is essential. While reading in proper lighting is necessary to protect our eyesight, choice of reading atmosphere is individually subjective. Some preferred to sit where there was direct sunlight streaming in from the glass windows of the library I used to frequent. I on the other hand loved sitting in this tiny, corner nook with an antique looking lamp. Especially when reading novels set in the 18th century. I particularly enjoy stories set in historical times.
A fifth way to engage library users is to encourage feedback and participation in your library's planning, decision-making, or evaluation. You can use surveys, suggestion boxes, focus groups, or online platforms to collect feedback from library users on your collections, services, programs, or policies. You can also involve library users in co-creating, co-designing, or co-delivering your library's offerings, such as by inviting them to join advisory boards, committees, or volunteer teams. Feedback and participation can help you understand your library users' needs, expectations, and satisfaction, and foster a sense of ownership and belonging.
Engaging learners in providing feedback and creating a wishlist of books and resources empowers them and enhances their sense of ownership in the library. Collaboratively framing essential agreements and incorporating their interests and ideas into class planning fosters creativity and enriches the learning experience.
Depending on your budget, there are plenty of free or subscription-based web tools that you can use to create short surveys. By short, I mean short; no more than 4-5 questions. My college use a Google-stack so we are going to take advantage of Forms. I would also suggest timely surveys. If your library has a workshop, send the survey within 24 hours. Don't wait. From personal experience, I now have to send an end of the year survey, but I regret not doing it immediately after each event. Call it a "lesson learned" moment. Above all, analyze the data and use it to improve your services.
A sixth way to engage library users is to keep learning and innovating in your library practice. You can keep up to date with the latest trends, research, or best practices in library services, and experiment with new ideas, tools, or methods. You can also learn from other libraries, organizations, or sectors, and seek opportunities for collaboration, networking, or professional development. Learning and innovating can help you improve your library's quality, relevance, and impact, and demonstrate your value and commitment to your library users.
One of the biggest problems that libraries face is that so many people think they already know what we have to offer. As a business librarian, I work with many databases of great potential value to entrepreneurs and small business owners, and when I do get a chance to talk to them, they’re often absolutely stunned that such information is available (free of charge!) at the library. I think the solution is to be proactive, get out of the library building, and meet these potential customers were they are. To give just two examples, I have weekly “office hours” at the Chamber of Commerce, and I give a presentation on relevant library resources at a twice-yearly introductory course on nonprofit management offered by the United Way.
Una buena forma es la creación de exposiciones y concursos de arte, fotografía o escritura en la biblioteca, se puede incentivar a los usuarios a mostrar sus creaciones y habilidades, y premia a los ganadores, promoverá la creatividad y motivará a otros usuarios a participar activamente.
Consider organizing themed reading challenges, interactive book clubs, or even a book-based scavenger hunt within the library. Create visually appealing displays that highlight diverse genres or feature student recommendations. Host author visits or virtual book talks to spark excitement about reading. Additionally, involve students in decision-making processes, such as selecting new books or planning library events, to foster a sense of ownership and community.
These are all very good suggestions, if you’re working with the library’s target audience. If not, then you find yourself with no budget line using your own money to get basic materials for a program. As a librarian you should do yourself a favor and conduct due diligence on the branch you’re assigned to. If you’re an adult librarian in a small neighborhood full of children, expect the funding to go towards children’s programs.