More Than Books
Earlier this month our team was invited to visit the Richfield, Ohio Library, part of the Akron-Summit County Public Library system. We spent the morning learning about how the library is working to innovate and increase circulation, a key measure of success for libraries. We have a great relationship with our local library. They visited us earlier this year to learn about trends and how they influence design.
The library staff has done a lot of research and strategy work identifying current and future guest demographics, and how to evolve to better attract and serve them. There are a lot of things they have tried, some of which are starting to find their way into the greater library system they are a part of. During the course of our coffee discussion and tour, it was apparent that the staff is a bit stuck though, shackled by information and ideas on one hand, and the daunting task of what to do next on the other. We encouraged them to step away from analysis and get back to experimenting. Continue to try new things, and fail fast, all while keeping track of metrics like guest engagement, satisfaction, and circulation numbers.
Here are some of the interesting things our library is experimenting and innovating with:
Teen Lit Loot Boxes - these free boxes are curated boxes just like the subscription boxes we can order in the mail. Inside each themed box are 2 books, a game or craft, and a snack. These boxes tie into the popular box subscription trend and make a personal connection with teens.
Popular and librarian choice endcaps and tables feature new releases and timely favorites that appeal to the grab-and-go “shopper”. This makes it easy to find something new to read and doesn’t require waiting for a librarian for help
A chalk board for posting notes about what guests love seeing in their library, and suggestions for what they want to see. This is just like you see in other places like coffee shops, and even our studio walls when we are ideating. This gives guests a voice and allows the library to tailor experiences without much guesswork
Teen Art Cart - art supplies and books on a metal cart. They can even color the fun custom side panels. The library is more than just books these days. It’s a place to be creative.
Rolling white boards that act as room dividers for more privacy, they also are great for (quiet) collaboration. Groups of guests can get together to work on a group project. The library acts as a “third place” with more resources than a coffee shop.
Arranging books by category to theme instead of the traditional numbered way. This is much like how a bookstore arranges books and guests are used to “shopping” this way. It also gets people in taking out more than one book because they see similar books of interest instead of having to know ahead of time which books they want to take out.
In the future the library is planning on experimenting with computers that contain productivity and creative software such as CAD and graphic design software. This positions the library as a center for improving the local workforce and students’ abilities for free.
Another future opportunity is collaborating with a new brewery going in next door for events and cross-coordinated marketing like naming a brew after the library. Who knows what the collaborative will net out but we are sure it’ll be pretty neat.
The library, all our libraries, face a lot of challenges though. They want to innovate and you’ll find no one more passionate about their job than a librarian. But the system is antiquated and underfunded. Stakeholders from throughout the system and local communities need to work together to maximize the unique positions libraries hold in our society. The future of libraries is they are vibrant gathering places for a populous that is learning, working, and playing differently than they did before the pandemic, and really for the last few decades. Lastly we need to help out as individuals and businesses to advocate for better funding. Often time a lot of money is raised to build a beautiful building but then no money is sustainably infused to keep the library system going and innovating.
The future of the library is strong but it will take all of us, not just the overworked library staffs to realize how much more amazing these spaces can be.