HowTo: broaden the appeal of the branch libraries

Submitted by johnzbesko on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 09:46

Lost in the conversation about support for the branch libraries was the premise of my answer to the CSNA forum question and also at the LWVE forum. I said the appeal of the branch libraries needs to be broadened beyond families with small children or people within walking distance so that the branches have more support among all the people of Evanston. With more general support, they would become less of a budgetary football.

My ideas of the bookstore model with a coffee shop or of a community center like BooCoo were meant to start a discussion. Since those ideas were superseded by a discussion of taxing districts, I'll suggest a few more. My intent is not to micromanage the library, or to run as a Board Director, but to illustrate my imaginative approach to solving problems.

The Howe Library in Hanover, NH (the town Dartmouth College is located in) loans out Kindle readers. Here is my inquiry:

"Hello, I'm a candidate for alderman in Evanston, and the issue of support for our local branch library has heated up. I am looking for new approaches/technology to broaden the appeal of the small branch library and thought about Kindle or the Sony reader device rental."

"A google search lead me to your library. Do you indeed loan/rent out Kindle's with ebooks on them? Have you encountered legal issues? How popular is the program? Any other resources/links I should check out?"

Here is the reply:

"We have three Kindles at present and are considering adding a fourth one (the Kindle 2 version, which is newer). People are curious about them and there are 85 holds on them. They circulate (as loans, not rentals) for one week only.  They were  purchased from money we received as a donation.  They each are loaded with the same book titles; patrons are not able to add any content themselves."

I ask the people of Evanston, would you be interested in this service?

Another new technology is printing books on demand. A google search lead to: http://instabook.net/jm/

This firm promises: The World's First System That Makes Perfect-Bound Books With a Simple Click of your Mouse! As low as $15.00 Per Day. 3 Books a Day Pay for it! 17 Seconds to finish a Book after the last page is printed.

Could this be a service that helps support the branch library? Again, I raise this idea to start a discussion.

As a candidate for 7th ward alderman, it is this creativity that I wish to bring to City government. Not all of my ideas will resonate, but if I am elected there will be no shortage of ideas.

 

Comments

JunadRizki

Wed, 04/01/2009 - 20:36

John - your solution of  alittle technology is not what is needed. I can buy a computer book - this will do nothing to improve my experience in using the branch.
 
At the council awhile back I suggested they correct the bathroom problem at the North Branch.  Liz Tisdahl came up with the idea to sell the attached space to generate cash.
 
This was a bad idea - because enlarging the washrooms will take away from the stack space. The better solution was to combine the two space and maybe share the adjoining space with a snack shop type operation.
 
As Jeff Smith stated might be problems with the books, there are plenty of coffee shops and book stores combined.
 
This may allow for the library to get some revenue and maintenance from the snack operation. Ideally a large corporate operation might be better since they would have the capital to renovate both spaces and help out the operation.
 
As for how it is used I think It is fine, expand the children section and included an activity area, have an adult reading room.  That about it and upgrade the space which the city has not done in years.
 
As for the separate taxing district- why? The council does care about the branches. Ever time they are up for discussion enough people come and complain and stop it, but the reality is the support may not be there to keep them. ( if Jane is elected she may let the North branch go!)
 
I am  not a larger user of the branch, but I understand its value and importance to Central Street. I do not mind paying a few dollars more for a separate taxing district the people of North Evanston control!
 
By the why the staff is all part time - none of them get benefits this is interesting - given the fat cat council members can take family medical for $37 a month - for coverage worth $17,000 a year! (I wonder if you or Jane will be taking advantage of this perk?)