Three Out Change

In OCLS Learn 2.1's Chain, Chain, Change lesson, many different points were brought forth relating to the idea of change: change in music marketing, change in releasing new films, change in music forms. We voted for Change earlier this month. Well, most of us, anyway.

And, for the record, Radiohead is brilliant. I was one of those folks who bought the commercial release when it was released in January, but what encouraged me was the digital download I had heard. As a consumer, I like to listen to music before I buy it, but if I like it, I will eventually buy it. Granted, my current list of "have to buy" albums is quite long, but seriously, I do intend to support the artists... eventually... when I have money... someday. But, keep in mind, I'm one of those college kids with school debt, though my debt is over $10,000 more than what was shown in the video.

Anyway, back to the eXplorer topic, regarding the OCLS Mission Statement, I think it summarizes up what the Library does. With the vast collection of popular items (including all the Radiohead releases), classes, services like MAYL and Questline, online links and programs, and the sheer awesomeness of our staff, we provide all the material for a well-learned, well-informed community base.

The trick is to get them to know about it. When I tell people I've just met what I do, most of these new acquaintances are astounded at the Books-by-MAYL program. Some already are aware of it and use the service occasionally. Orlando Weekly in this year's Best of Orlando 2008 called MAYL "Best free service you don't use." Despite the thousands of items we check out in the department every day, there are still people out there who don't know about this program--I bump into them all the time at parties, cafes, hoe-downs and what-have-you.

And if people don't know about this behemoth of a service, what about the other spectacular services we provide for the public?

At the recent Staff Day, our guest speaker, Joan Frye Williams, made a good point in regards to going where the people are. Not just tangible space, but the internet. Having the Library leave comments on blogs, news articles, and Facebook/MySpace pages would increase visibility in the virtual world. Hosting book clubs and library events outside of the library and in local cafes and tea houses could boost awareness in the material world. Williams mentioned going to local farmer's markets, which I thought was a good idea. The OCLS orange bags we currently sell to people to hold their library books in is a great way for our Library to be seen in the community, because people use those bags for all sorts of other things outside of the library: groceries, sleep-over bags for kids, toting stuff to the beach, etc. I think if we had a few different designs, our library users may want to get multiple bags. That's OCLS advertising space!

So yes, I think OCLS does well in achieving the mission statement it sets out for itself, but it could use some help in tooting its own horn about it. Not necessarily go so far as to employ viral marketing, but I think we can devise methods to make Orange County residents aware of our services, and they may be outside of the conventional channels we're used to.