Engaging the Next Generation of Library
Users
Brian Pichman of the Evolve Project
ILEAD USA; Wednesday, March 27th 2013 at 9:00AM CST
SO
CIA
L MED
IA!? Some Libraries successfully use social media to talk to their teens
SO
METH
ING
UN
IQU
E Oak Park Public Library
MU
SIC
CLA
SS
ES Guitar Program by Branch Manager PC Sweeney of the East Palo Alto Library in
California
SU
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ER
SC
HO
OL (A
T A
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RY)
Kankakee Public Library
ZO
MB
IE M
OV
IE Film A Zombie Movie (Cameras and some Face Paint for Your Library)
ART FO
R YO
UR
LIBR
ARY Justin Hoenke decorated his Portland Public Library formerly as the Teen
Librarian using art created by his patrons.
FILM FE
STIV
ALS
& A
RT G
ALLE
RY Teens love sharing their works to others.
There is very little cost to do this! Both Film Festivals and Art Galleries are excellent ways to draw in new crowds.
PO
ETRY/R
AP/M
US
IC/FILM
/E-Z
INE Digital Content Curation
MIN
IATU
RE G
OLF Purchase Cheap Plastic and Foam to setup Paths and fairways with felt.
Have it throughout the library, engage the participants through your space.
Technology
Don’t Be Afraid To Fail.Be Afraid Not To Try.
UB
ISO
FT LA
SER
TAG Score Keeping, Board Projecting Score Board, Laser Tag Game!
Discover New Places In Libraries Through ObjectivesHunger Games style playing.
Allow Things To Circulate
KU
RIO
TAB
LET …
. MS
RP: $
15
0 Cheap TabletLocked DownSecure
SIFT
EO
CU
BES
…. M
SR
P: $
13
0-
20
0
Interactive Touch CubesNew Learning Game, Spell, Sort, and more!
SPH
ER
O B
ALL …
. MS
RP: $
13
0 Guide Through Library (Follow The Ball)People Approach The Ball – Curiosity
LEG
O W
ED
O’S
…. M
SR
P $
13
0 Simple, Drag and Drop GUI Based ProgramThere is a nation wide Lego Robotics ContestSoftware: $90.00
LEG
O M
IND
STO
RM
…. M
SR
P
$3
00
More Advance ProgrammingThere is a nation wide Lego Robotics ContestSoftware: $80.00
VID
EO
MA
RK
ETIN
G Chard Mairn, Librarian/Adjunct Professor at St. Petersburg College started a viral media marketing tools. Purchased cheap inexpensive flip cams.
Supporting These Gadgets
Some Require Laptops
Refurbished Items are OK!
Working with IT
Purchase from discount sites:› 1saleaday.com› Woot.com
Reach out to Twitter, ask for donations!
Engaging Your Space and PatronsThis is perhaps the most important take away
Staff Communication
Get Them Involved In Your Library› Tech› Books› Stories
Get “resident” experts› Cooking› Computing› Fishing…
AND LET THE PATRONS KNOW WHICH STAFF ARE EXPERTS ON SPECIFIC HOBBIES
How to talk to next generation
Ask these things out of the blue. Books
› Ask them their thoughts› Suggestions for collection› Recommend other reads
Computing› Ask them what games they want to see
Programming› Ask them what programs they like.
Socially› Ask how they are doing.
Homework Help› Offer ways to help them on assignments. Bring them snacks and
beverages. Positive reinforcement. Remind them a library can be more than just “books”
MYS
TERY G
RA
B B
AG Place books into color themed bags. Barcode number written outside of bag.
Allow patrons to check out and take them home.
HO
LIDAY D
ISPLA
YS During special holiday periods, find books that are colored the holiday colors
(not necessarily about the holiday) and place them on a stand near your end caps.
QR
CO
DE
Link Books to E-BooksFind New Content
AU
GM
EN
TED
REA
LITY Open a new dimension in your library.
Buy using an app, you can see a new “world” within your physical space.
Other Cool Activities
Library Lockin› Play Games, Watch Movies, Etc.
Teddy Bear Lockin› Children drop off their stuffed animals, and
staff take pictures with their stuffed animals interacting in the library
Video Games › It draws people in…so why not do them?
What Else?
•Ask your teens their thoughts•Get them involved in the library, not justa patron
Thanks for listening!
Questions?What new ways have you seen to engage the next generation?