Ditch the box! - Attract more patrons

I've been designing Libraries for over a decade now and the one thing that never changes when we're in the programming phase of design is the many discussions we have about your patrons.  We talk about how best to serve them, how to create spaces they will thrive in, etc.  Really most discussions revolve around patron function in some way, even if only peripherally.  The main drive however, is how to increase patron use and consistency of use. 

OUTSIDE-OF-THE-BOX THINKING

I could cover all the basics like, technology, programming and a more updated design.  But you know all those.  What I want to cover today are some not-so-typical ideas that you may not have considered, or that you've thought about but need a little extra information on.  Library design is about so much more than how the space looks and even how it functions.  It's about gathering your community together and giving them access to a very usable building.

I realize these suggestions may not work for every Library, but they are trends I'm seeing in the design world that may prove to be beneficial for some of you.  So with that in mind, I would like to leave you with these ideas to ponder: 

SHIFT YOUR FOCUS TO SMALL BUSINESSES

It's absolutely no big secret that our businesses have undergone a huge overhaul where staffing and business structure are concerned.  This is happening all across the board in most every facet of the commercial world.  Some of these shifts have been frustrating at best while others have been beneficial if not quite liberating.

In the design and construction world, for example, we used to create meetings just to have meetings!  This of course made it harder to get the actual work done.  For example, I might be called to attend a Friday meeting an hour away from my office at 2pm.  By the time the meeting was finished, I would head home instead of the office and leave my notes in the car.  Come Monday morning, I had to revisit that entire meeting and apply all my design notes to my project in hopes of not forgetting any minute detail mentioned in that meeting.

Now, however, we hold a LOT more digital meetings where I can make those changes directly to plans as I'm speaking with my client, architect and/or contractors.  Nothing gets overlooked.  It's been brilliant.  And since we're all already in our individual workspaces, we don't have to lose time travelling that we could be devoting to that project or others.  ZOOM has become my new best friend.  And this is just one of many things I DO like about the paradigm shift we're seeing in the business world.

So how does this effect you and your community?  Well it seems people are working more independently now, more than ever before.  But the biggest complaint I hear over and over is that while some people love working from home, the environment isn't always the most conducive to productivity.

Oddly enough, my biggest struggle in that area is my two Irish Setters as opposed to my children.  Those dogs want in and out all day long if they see me sitting at the dining room table doing my work!  Drives me insane.  Not to mention I feel like I need to throw on another load of laundry, or run the dishes, etc.  I definitely get more done in my office setting away from home.

 ^{You can see how much I get done with these two. ;)}

That brings me to you.  It seems we want the freedom to come and go as needed but also require the productivity of a quiet space.  How do we achieve that?  I say why not the local Library?  If you could create some spaces for your local community members to use as office space, and advertise that, you would most definitely increase your patron use.  Here are some things small business owners are looking for that you might be able to provide if you think it would work for your Library and if you could come up with a way to meet their needs:

• Quiet office space to make calls and work on their computers
• Recording studios for the online business owner that may teach classes
• Free Wi-Fi access
• Access to copy machines and other office hardware
• Desktop publishing workshops
• Marketing workshops and other business workshops

These are just a few ideas to get you started.  What's important here is seeing the need in your community and finding ways to accommodate in a way that works for your Library.

DON'T FORGET YOUR LARGER BUSINESS NEEDS

 Another great group to reach out to in your community are your larger businesses.  They need space too; especially with all the growth we're seeing currently.  And making them aware of all that the local Library has to offer is probably not a bad thing.  The more value a community places on their local Library, the better for that Library.  Here are a few needs I'm seeing that need to be met for larger businesses:

• Meeting spaces (whether for presentations or even meetings)
• Buffet and catering areas
• Networking spaces 
• Lunch and Learn or Continuing Education capabilities

We were able to successfully achieve the overall business environment with a new construction project we completed for a Library in Georgia two years ago.  A large meeting room was created with a foldable partition to create dual meeting rooms.  We then added an open area for networking and moving around in a separate lobby environment that did not hinder the Library in any way.  A full conference room was added right outside the lobby space (networking area) that serves both the Library staff meetings as well as anyone who needs to rent the space.  The specific layout of this space lends itself to a buffet style of room should they (business owners or staff) decide to feed their guests.

Now I get that this might not be feasible for many Libraries, but it CAN be done and would certainly draw in funds and patrons.

MAKE YOUR LIBRARY A LOCAL COMMUNITY HUB

 Another need I'm seeing is places for families to gather.  I believe that the focus on our families has grown tremendously since we've had time to really evaluate our lives and how we function on a day-to-day basis.  I see families connecting now more than they ever did before.  And in a society that cannot seem to breathe without technology, this is not a bad thing.  But they're looking for things to do together and places they can go.  Again, why not the Library?  Most of you are already zeroed in on these, but here are a few I'm seeing:

• Game rooms (and not just digital games)
• Cafes (this one is big and works for businesses too)
• Fun events that draw larger crowds (I know a local Library that hosts a mystery dinner theater and ghost tours.  Both ALWAYS sell out fast!)
• Home schooling opportunities (also growing exponentially)

A FEW MORE THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

 A few more ideas I've taken note of from other Library professionals that are pretty simple:

• Proper staffing - note your busiest times of day/week and have staff on hand then
• Focus on your non-users - have a staff meeting.  Figure out who's missing and define solutions to make the Library more friendly to them.
• Social media presence - this is just where your community is at.  You gotta be there too if you aren't already.  Tell them what you have to offer.  They may honestly not know.  Too many people think the Library is just that cool place they read books when they were kids.  You and I know it's OH SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT!!  Make sure they do too!

FINAL THOUGHTS

The local Library is the best place to be in town if you make it that way.  But reaching out and meeting the community where they're at is the key to growth.  

What needs in YOUR communities are you seeing and how are you working to meet those needs?  I would love to hear your ideas.  Please email me or join me on the DIY Library Design Facebook page to get some conversations started!