Brainstorming Activity:  What Could Libraries Be Doing in the Following Areas:

1. Improve Hospitality / Reduce Stress
   • Yoga, Meditation, Tai Chi, Massage;
     • Paid Instructors
     • Free to the Public
     • Negotiate Fees
   • Offer DVDs
   • Free Coffee
   • Remove Negative Signs & Policies
   • Have helpful directional signs
   • Greeters to ask wandering patrons if they need help
   • Machines in working Order
     • Copiers
     • Vending
     • Rest Rooms
   • Good Relationship with Janitors and Maintenance Staff
   • For the Staff
     • Goodies and Snacks
     • Birthday Celebrations
     • Pot Luck Meals
   • Decorate
   • Balloons
   • Deodorizers: Good Smells but beware of allergies
   • Trash Cans Provided and Emptied
   • Neatness
   • Clean and Dust including Computers
   • Pictures
   • Smile!

      

2. Develop/Reposition/Group Existing Services
   • Instead of classes, one – to - one , or small group appointments
   • Staff Training via online Tutorials
   • Networking/sharing resources among libraries
     • Example: Library staff sign up for Joan’s resume classes
   • Bibs/brochures to support classes, etc.
   • Extend access via screen casts, etc.
   • Debrief job searchers for ideas
   • Rethink ban on for-profit-speakers, programs, etc.
   • Promote programs across age groups to families
   • Get help/Give help with link on library webpage
     • Info – where to donate food, etc.
     • Service – resumes, tax preparation, how to dress
   • Reapportion material acquisition
     • Ask patrons what they won’t be buying that we can supply or help out with

        

3. Get the Word Out
   • Schools
   • Newsletters – Municipal Buildings and Recreation Departments
   • Kindergarten Welcome Bag
   • Chamber of Commerce Membership
   • Electronic Message Board
   • Local Cable Station
   • Commercial produced by Technical School
   • Clubs and Organizations in meeting room
   • Web pages - Library, Municipality, Schools
   • Small Business focus groups in library
   • Local Radio Spots
   • Create a list of all existing media contacts that you use
   • Donate books for Doctor’s waiting rooms with a big sticker about the Library on each book
   • Facebook
   • Signage, Flyers, etc. Very visible in the library

      

4. Help with Job Hunting / Career Change
   • Every computer has short cut to a Job Hunting Pathfinder
   • Classes in job hunting skills: email, resumes, internet job hunting
   • Screen casts on job hunting for people who need it NOW
     • Example: how to provide an attachment in an email
   • Displays that pull together continuing education information, job hunting, career resources (books, dedicated computers)
   • Public FAX machine (FAX 24 will provide the machine at no charge to the library
   • Notary in the building
   • Support Groups/Networking Opportunities
   • Literacy Services
   • Pathfinder for local job opportunities with online applications
   • One to one assistance – make an appointment
   • Arrange for high school or college students to give one on one assistance
   • Guest Speakers – Job Hunting, Financial Aid, College Searching
   • Resources – One Stop, Workforce Investment Board
     • It is possible to join the Workforce Investment Board as a public presence
   • PSG – Professional Services Group – unemployed professionals will speak and volunteer to help people with job hunting skills. They are tied in with the One Stop Stations
   • Retired Community Volunteers to meet one on one for resume assistance and critique

   • Offer a technology program called "Creating a Marketing/Contact Database". It would teach creating simple lists using Reference USA plus enough basic MS Access skills so participants can to create a

     database of contacts. This could be valuable to a small business, or useful as an on-the-job skill...or perhaps for creating a list of contacts for a job search -- plus it leverages RefUSA.

1. Develop a Rapid Response Team
   • Develop Relationships with other agencies
   • Communicate with staff
   • Be Confident
   • Do first, apologize later
   • Having a person assigned to Tasks and Publicity
   • Team vs. Committee
   • Empower staff to take risks
   • Thank and acknowledge staff for taking risks
   • Define and make it easy to get feedback from outside

      

2. Develop Fun and Free Services/Programs
   • Simultaneous programming for different ages
   • Draw ideas from community centers
   • Computers – For Play
   • Free Coffee Day – sponsored by a coffee shop
   • Market the benefits of the library offering free movies versus Netflix and Video Stores (similar to the example in the workshop of the library card vs. the credit card -- never an APR, etc...)
   • Story hours for new audiences – Grandparents
   • Adult Crafts
   • Children’s Crafts
   • Family Movie Nights
   • WII for Seniors
   • Game Day – Saturday Mixed Media, Mixed Audiences and Age Levels
     • Grandparents/Kids WII games
   • Guerilla Story Hour – Spontaneous story hours offered on the fly to people in the library with kids (ask if they are interested, and have the program if they are.)
   • Poetry Slam
   • Music Slam – Open Mike
   • Battle of the Bands