Week 4 - Wow! Playing catch-up...

Well, I've fallen(behind) but I can get up (to speed), I hope!

I read the information on feedback thingies, and I have to agree with my colleagues that it does provide lots of options for libraries. I really like the idea of using them to solicit ideas for new programs and services, and to provide a place for folks to comment on existing ones. Yes, you may have to take the bad opinions with the good, but let's hope there's a pony under that pile, right? (See there's the joke about the kid who asked for a pony for Christmas and all he got was a pile of manure and a shovel, and well, you can guess the rest!)

I will also agree with my colleagues that it's hard to design a really good survey that gives you data you can actually use. (By the way I took a couple of my colleagues' suveys and enjoyed enjoyed them. Quick and dirty and fun!)
Back in the Dark Ages, I helped to develop a community survey for a library to figure out what folks did/didn't like and what they felt was needed. This was done pre-computer age, and while we did get back some very useful responses, the return rate on mailed surveys was minimal, and the in-house participation was not much better. Having the capability to do a snappy little survey online might help, although that still might not address the computer-illiterate users and non-library users.

So how do we reach non-library users? Some ideas:
--Acting as a library representative and talking to a wide variety of community groups about what the library has and soliciting suggestions as to what would make them come through the front doors might help.
--Targeting school groups and finding out what the kids are interested in (besides internet acess!) might work, too.
-- Writing a brief survey aimed at the local school teachers and figuring out how we could work together to provide homework resources would be useful (can you tell we've been blindsided by whole-class asignments that snap up limited materials without warning??)
--Providing some community program jointly with a local educational institute might let attendees know we're out there and what we can offer them.

I'm sure these ideas have already been used (and by my own institution, I'm sure!) - I just don't have any fresh ideas to add right now. What can you think of to add to the list of engaging non-library users and giving them a reason to visit? Hint, hint : please comment so I can get credit for completing this assignment!!LOL