Providing consulting, training and planning services to community-serving organizations such as libraries, nonprofits, educational institutions and government agencies.
Fresh ideas and forward-looking services that help libraries meet evolving community needs — and how to implement them effectively.
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
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?”
I was recently listening to an episode of the NPR show and podcast Hidden Brain, a show about the range of influences that manipulate us without our awareness. The episode was called Innovation 2.0: Do Less. And it got me thinking - as I often do - about libraries. I've been working in and around… Continue reading Libraries and doing less
I recently had the honor of being asked to contribute to a new book from ALA Editions. Pivoting during the Pandemic: Ideas for Serving Your Community Anytime, Anywhere is now available online. Here's a description. When the pandemic suddenly forced many public libraries to close their doors or limit patron access, library staff redoubled their… Continue reading Pivoting During the Pandemic