Rhonda K.
Kitchens is a Librarian, Writer, Poet, Pug Enthusiast, Florida History Buff
and Kayaker. This purpose of "Sell it With Sizzle" is to provide
free ideas and tips for adult librarians who do programming.
To
contact me:
Rhondakwrites
@
…aol.com
#1) VISION THING:
"The Person Who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it. " Chinese Proverb
Why do you program? Because you
have to generate statistics? Because it meets your mission statement goals? Because
you want to make a difference in your community?
Providing library programming actually
goes beyond what happens the day of the program itself. Library
programs have a life beyond their time slot.
Programming rekindles passion for
public service and keeps one from becoming indifferent to your
community’s needs. It keeps you in touch with your agency’s
mission actively. It prevents one from becoming isolated from clients
and potential partners.
Library programs move beyond the slim
dimension of customer service building a rich world of customer
relationships.
What is a program? 1 on 1. 1 on 1 with
an irate patron who needs more care. Computer lab. Someone else’s
computer lab. Audience with a data projector ad one computer. Audience with
no visual/technical support. Speaking engagement. A keynote with a local
organization. A demo with a trade group. Networking with a purpose. A program
is “storytelling” or pitching your product.
In the article, “The Iceberg
Problem – Is the Investment in Our Collections Visible to
Patrons?” Ezra Schwartz calls many of our electronic and digital
collections as potential. That what patrons are able to see is the tip of the
iceberg. While Schwartz writes about improving user interfaces, I think the
more immediate truth is that librarians are the ultimate user interface and
that programs are a great way to crack the iceberg into user sized pieces.
After all how do you eat a cow? One
bite at a time.
Which takes us back to, why do you
program? Statistics are inadequate in keeping up with the power of a
program. What about the program that makes the papers, many flyers are
distributed, patrons ask questions about and no one comes? The program has
spread the word. It has promoted. It has captured the imagination of an
unseen audience. It has spoken. A good program sells dreams, not a
product or resource.
Make sure to pack the program title,
description, press releases and flyers with as much educational opportunity
as possible while keeping in mind this basic fact: Librarians love the
thrill of the hunt; patrons love the thrill of the find. That is
locating precisely what they are seeking – fast, easy, no hassle.
Henry DeVries of the New Client
Institute investigated methods of generating leads. He found that the
most effective methods of generating leads – that is finding new people
to sell products and services to – was small scale seminars to
introduce the product. These are the top five methods: Conducting small scale
seminars Giving speeches Getting published Networking in a proactive
way Participating in industry
organizations
See my “Program Examples”
handout/table for some details on how to manifest these items as a program.
Programming can take place on 3 levels:
internal, outreach and external programs. Internal and outreach program
cater to the all important captive audience. Internal includes
in-service training for your co-workers or new staff. Outreach is
programming giving off the premise at a meeting or event of an external organization.
It can also be an “invite only” scheduled event at your
library. External is defined by the public at large is welcome.
Almost any program you create has 3
lives or more. It can go in a bag and be a keynote talk. You can
open your doors and address anyone who is interested in the topic. You
can take it to another library and train/teach other librarians or library
service staff.
Keeping in mind the idea that
“Librarians like to hunt, patrons like to find” let’s take
the Vision Thing Challenge.
