Providing consulting, training and planning services to community-serving organizations such as libraries, nonprofits, educational institutions and government agencies.
If you’ve ever worked in or with a library, you know it’s a special kind of place. Libraries are full of smart, dedicated people doing vital work—often with limited time, budgets, and tools. As a result, the way libraries approach marketing is deeply shaped by their culture, structure, and long-standing traditions. Understanding a few common… Continue reading Six Common Characteristics of Libraries—and How They Impact Marketing
This summer, Hawaiʻi’s libraries launched more than a reading challenge—they launched a renewed invitation to the community. As part of the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge kickoff, the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System (HSPLS) also unveiled a new look: a refreshed brand identity that honors Hawaiʻi’s rich culture, celebrates the uniqueness of each island, and reflects… Continue reading Celebrating Hawaiʻi’s Libraries: New Look, Same Deep Roots
More and more libraries across the U.S. are selling branded merchandise through online stores—offering everything from literary tote bags to mugs to T-shirts. But what does it actually take to launch a successful swag shop? And is it worth it? We reviewed more than a dozen examples of library-run stores, conducted a national scan of… Continue reading Should Your Library Open an Online Swag Shop? Lessons from the Field
What if the reason more people don’t use libraries isn’t because they don’t want to, or even don't know about the services and programs, but because we’ve unintentionally made it too hard? That’s the central question I kept coming back to as I listened to the recent Freakonomics podcast series on a concept called “sludge.”… Continue reading Are Libraries Serving “Sludge?”
If you know me, you know that I can talk. A lot. But you've probably also noticed that I ask a lot of questions. I think curiosity is one of life’s greatest gifts—the desire to understand how things work, to learn how other people think, to uncover perspectives I hadn’t considered before. Curiosity fuels growth,… Continue reading Leading With Curiosity