iValue: How the Top 10 Principles of Strong Brands can change your library

For those of you who haven't gone to the library in awhile, or those that can't fathom the last time you had a card, take a moment to ask yourself, what gives? With the possibility of a government shutdown, people are pinching pennies these days, looking for ways to save that extra buck. Since you're most likely a taxpayer to some library, I advise you (if you haven't already) to take advantage of free services that are already yours. With tons of new gadgets and classes, libraries are changing. That means you should go!

From whatever perspective you hold, here's a look at how retailers capture the attention of consumers. Without a doubt, libraries could learn a thing or two. Here's the first tip:

"While a company’s brand offers a clarifying perspective on how to get the most out of the existing store base, it also gives a company creativity,imagination, and opportunity for innovation--the kinds of things that give shoppers more reason to attach to a brand and increase their perception of its value. A brand with high emotional value is a brand invested in. The nature of retail demands creative momentum. It’s time to put innovation plans back on the table."

So dear readers, I ask you to please think about these rhetorical questions, think about your library, and take them to heart.

From LJ's Bubble Room Blog and Interbrand 2011, The Top 10 Principles of Strong Brands are:

1) Clarity: What does the brand stand for? How can it target different audiences? Does it emphasize customer insights and plans for the future?

Example: Banana Republic-They have a consistent design aesthetic and a five-year vision on their website to emotionally engage their customers. While most libraries have this stated somewhere, I'm sure there's a huge population lingering out there somewhere.

2) Authenticity: Internal truth and capability.

Example: Lululemon stays true to its yoga-friendly roots but expands its philosophy to a broader audience. In their handbook they value greatness, saying, “We create the possibility of greatness in people because it makes us great. Mediocrity undermines greatness.” While their products are for athletes, a lof of people who hold the same value can not help but be drawn to the brand, as they see it as an extension of themselves. While there's this stigma about libraries, it's possible that the 21st century library can change with its community. Give them something to identify with, after all, they're the ones paying for it.

3) Relevancy: How the brand fits in with the consumer needs, desires, and decisions across all relevant demographics and geographies.

Example-L'Occitane does an amazing job of creating a sense of urgency and excitement to people of all ages. Fresh displays, customer engagement and mobile apps that keep the brand flourishing. <--- great ideas

4) Differentiation: How the customers see the brand as different from the competitor

Example: Anthropologie's atmosphere and its bohemian aesthetic are unique. On top of that, no two stores are alike. From experience, I know only a handful of libraries that are different enough to make me say, "wow." What's more, didn't we learn the impact of first impressions? Time to think twice here.

5) Commitment: Incorporates internal commitment, investment, time, and energy to the brand.

6) Protection: The security it has across different platforms.

7) Responsiveness: Able to market changes, challenges, and opportunities. It should have a sense of leadership internally and the ability to constantly evolve and renew itself.

Example: Amazon! The company owns several patents on key technological ideas and is always on the search for the next great thing. Amazon.com develops whole businesses where it sees the need (e-book publishing, auction house competition for eBay, cheaper print- on-demand publishing, website, and data hosting). Learn something new every day, and try to share what you learn.

8)Consistency:Experienced without fail across platforms

9) Presence: Omnipresent and talked about positively

Example: Whole Foods Market. Everyone nationwide loves them for their cheaper prices and stores nationwide. They're also creating rooms for jobs by opening more stores.

10) Understanding: The brand is recognizable, has distinct qualities, and people have in-depth knowledge about what it offers.

-I think this is one of the most important things for people to take into consideration. So many people don't know about the library or what it has in store for you today. A lot of great classes are out there and on the websites, but people don't start at the library's web page. They start at Google (and get info from social media sites). Share what you know. After all, if people don't know, they won't go.

Wow!Lots to think about...take a deep breath! And Happy Thinking!

“I’d be happy if I could think that the role of the library was sustained and even enhanced in the age of the computer.”
--Bill Gates

Be the change. Advocating on every level.

Following librarian-inspired blogs can be inspirational for working librarians in the blogosphere. With so many energetic ideas and conversation starters about transliteracy and how to incorporate it in libraries, it’s too enticing to pass up. This dynamic can be a tricky one to mimic though. For the unemployed, librarians in different institutions, or those that fall short of having decision-making power, where do they fit in?

How I became a library advocate

When budget cuts and freezing jobs at hand did not stop me from the overall picture of learning to fundraise for libraries, some thought I was insane). I on the other hand thought it was a great idea, and knew I had to follow my gut instinct. Libraries nationwide need it, and librarians need to have that skill. So on I went.

Down this road I started reading blogs from Ned Potter, Bobbi Newman, David Lee King and the authors of Libraries & Transliteracy. I eventually felt helpless, thinking there’s no way I could do anything to help pave the way for libraries, but in time I realized how absurd that sounded. There’s plenty a person can do. Especially a librarian. From the Libraries & Transliteracy blog--the following is etched in my mind:

Make your library a place that....

Encourages conversation
-Invites participation
-Provides creative outlets
-Embraces alternative learning styles
-Tells stories

Starting something new

With this surfacing each day on my bulletin board at work, it was only a matter of time before the universe threw me a loop where I became inspired to start my very own book club and story corner at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids. Telling stories and conveying book themes through collage, video, posters, and artwork hits home for these kids. They’re conversing, participating, being creative, and telling stories in so many ways. What’s the different between the face of a new kind of library and a place for imagination? They’re the same if I might say so.

Even so, I love what I do-I get to raise money so these kids can have better programs--a better “library” so-to-speak, where they can be creative with books and technology, get off the streets, and teach each other something new. They absolutely love going to the library, and are begging me to take them. Let’s teach them something new!

Look at libraries with new perspective

Overall, not working in a library is the perfect opportunity (and excuse) to look at it from the users perspective. Granted, if you work at a library you should know your user community, but sadly, some don’t.

Today I had to return a few things at the local library and wondered how many librarians are on board with transliteracy. How many librarians (and libraries) in the community have banded together to change the face of who walks through the doors and for what purpose. And finally, how many librarians have reached out to people after their 9-5 or whatever is done?

Say something

Analyzing libraries from a new perspective really has taught me how to speak up and advocate for my favorite place in the community. Word-of-mouth is okay, but even more has to be done. Here's a few things we can do:

-Write a letter to the editor,
-Start an advocacy committee
-Communicate with key officials
-Vote
-Keep informed about funding, censorship, internet filtering, and information literacy
-Educate others

Be positive.

"Be the change you want to see in the world."Mahatma Gandhi


@shten

Cat lady librarian? Better check your stereotype.

For those of you who have checked out the "Meet the Librarian" section of this blog, or have perused my Facebook to see a picture of me with my cat, Lucy, it's no wonder I've been called a crazy cat lady librarian. I practically beg to be picked on with that photo.

That aside, I don't think liking cats and being a librarian should be a new stereotype. We have enough already: mysterious librarian, trendy librarian, sexy librarian, uptight broad....the list goes on. Most of these aren't bad (the uptight broad is a misunderstanding), yet somehow it seems insulting to add in another stereotype where instantaneously and coincidentally a librarian with a cat is deemed an intelligent loner with nothing else to do but surround him or herself with animals all day. It's absurd.

Mingling with librarians, however, you'd find we're quite different from our stereotypical selves. At the 2010 PLA Conference in Portland, Oregon I was absolutely blown away by the reality of it all. I came to understand that we are a quirky, intellectual, and eclectic bunch, who, as you many know, like to dance, socialize, talk about library culture, and all the other things that go with it. Coincidentally, we usually all get along. Referring back to the cat conversation, however, I'm not sure we'd all agree about liking these furry creatures. So, for those "crazy cat lady librarian" types, here you have it-something multifunctional and modern: a cat bookshelf. It's perfect-no. pun. intended.

Note to seekers

Photo originally taken from Tame the Web

Teen Advocacy Video Project

Last November I took into consideration the current budget crisis affecting libraries nationwide, and decided to temporarily switch gears. Learning a new skill, I joined AmeriCorps *VISTA where I currently write grants for Boys & Girls Clubs in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Needless to say, I feel good at the prospect of learning something so valuable that will benefit libraries when they need it most, though I miss working in one. Don't get me wrong, I love writing grants to create better programs for inner-city youth, and just because I'm a grant writer doesn't mean I'm restricted on any one platform for advocating library services. That's the natural fanatical attitude I have about the profession.In the past month I have taken on a project with a colleague of mine incorporating reading into BGCA programming (currently no such program exists). Surprising! Inspired by Michele Gorman, I want to create a video similar to the one created for YALSA contest and send it to BGCA, making reading a mandatory program in every Club environment. I don't think I can think big enough.



-@shten

Surrounding yourself with passionate people

The post from the blog "zen habits" says it all. Personally, and professionally, it's important to surround yourself with people that will help you grow. I hope you enjoy it, for I couldn't help but share it with you

"Last night I had an amazing dinner with my wife Eva and my friends Scott and Jesse and their wives Chelsea and Joanna.
The gathering itself was simple: six people, simple healthy food, a little wine, a little tea, nothing else. Except that we lost ourselves in conversation so deeply that before we knew it, it was 1:30 a.m. and I was shocked at how quickly the time had passed.

The secret is also simple: when you talk with people who are passionate about what they’re doing, passionate about life and the people they love, it is transformative.


The people I talked with last night are incredibly passionate about what they’re doing. And yes, Brett, I mean passionate: excited, fired-up, feeling-strongly-about, thinking-about-it-all-the-time, can’t-wait-to-do-it-when-you-wake-up passion. When you talk with people who are passionate like that, you can’t help but get fired up yourself. You want to go out and do something exciting.

Passionate people not only inspire you, they give you ideas. They read books by other people who are passionate and full of ideas, and they recommend the books to you or pass the ideas on to you. Scott and Jesse, for example, are constantly meeting other passionate people, and that inspires them … and in turn that inspires me. It’s fuel for an intense fire.A nice side benefit is Scott & Chelsea and Jesse & Joanna are some of the most health-conscious people I know — the dinner was extremely healthy and delicious, and I went away even more inspired to get fit and live a healthy life. I love people like that.

I’ve met a lot of passionate, smart, inspired people since moving to San Francisco — people like Tim Ferriss and Matt Mullenweg and Tynan and Corbett Barr and Oleg and Barron and more. It’s incredible to talk with people like that, and you can’t walk away from them without getting a bit revved up.

While I try to lead a life of minimalism, I’ve learned that minimalism can be done anywhere you go … and it doesn’t require that you move to a farm or give up your contact with people. Just the opposite: minimalism is about giving up consumption in favor of doing things you’re passionate about and having real relationships with a few people you really value. I’d much rather have a conversation with someone doing something amazing than go shopping.

You don’t have to live in a big city like New York or San Francisco to surround yourself with passionate people. They’re in small towns, but it might take a bit of looking to find them. Find small businesses who are doing amazing things, and talk with the people there. Look for startups, for artists and writers, for people who are obsessed with doing something really well.

If you can’t find them where you live, find them online. They’re everywhere if you look. Read books by people full of powerful ideas who are doing innovative things. Read their blogs, talk to them via email and Twitter. Start collaborating with people like that.

Be one of them, and inspire others."
—

@shten

My Mantra is:

Libraries have been and continue to transform themselves to be responsive to the needs of the populations they serve.

-ALA President Roberta Stevens