News June 8, 2007 (mp3 file: 3.87 MB, 4:07 min.)
Balance, Choices and Synchronicity; More Perspectives: Features, Functions and Benefits
As I’ve been planning for an upcoming workshop on libraries as destination places I’ve been reading about not only destination experiences but also about the library as place.
I’ve discovered that there is quite a bit more being written about this concept than just a couple of years ago—perhaps it’s a balance for the online presence that libraries are creating, and a recognition that people also value their library as a physical place.
Now, you know there aren’t many who are more encouraging about libraries embracing an online and social networking role than I but that doesn’t mean that the bricks and mortar library isn’t important; they’re all parts of what “library” means to people these days.
It’s all about balance.
That started me thinking about discussions about books vs. e-books, and reference books vs. online information, and audiobooks and …all I can ever think about when I hear people arguing about print books vs other formats, is….”Wow. Isn’t it grand that we can have both, that we don’t have to limit ourselves to just one or the other. What a rich and diverse universe of reading and information we can provide to our users these days.
It’s all about choices..
And it’s interesting that when you start thinking about something, information and ideas just start appearing; it’s that whole “synchronicity” thing. A blog post about library as place, then an entire blog, then Mary McInroy’s e-mail with the link to the Marketing Library Services article about assessing the library’s physical environment—things started crossing my desk, and desktop. That’s about being open to what’s around you, paying attention to what others are doing and saying and bringing to you. That is also a rich and diverse universe for us to draw upon.
Wishing you balance, rich and diverse choices, and synchronicity…
--Karen
This week I’d like to add a few thoughts to last week’s perspectives on innovation and your library.
Remember that any change might be described in terms of 3 things: Features, Functions and Benefits. Marketing experts tell us that it is important to distinguish between these three components – and to focus on Benefits when selling something whether it is a product, a service, or an idea.
Features are qualities of the actual goods or services themselves. For example, a feature of a new literacy-enhanced storyhour program might be dialogic reading (which basically means that the leader encourages children to participate by asking them questions and allowing them to do a lot more talking); a feature of a new computer lab might be a wireless Internet connection.
Functions, of course, are what those features do – allowing children to respond verbally builds their narrative skills; a wireless connection improves Internet access.
Benefits are explanations of why these things are worthwhile. Why are they worth the time or money you are investing in them? Who will benefit most? How will the change benefit the entire community?
Building narrative skills benefits children because they are one of several literacy skills that will help them learn to read, excel in school, go to college and grow up to be President; good Internet access allows patrons to do online research, apply for jobs, submit college applications, find out how to start a small business and many other things that can lead to a better life for them and bring dollars back to the community.
OK, I may be stretching a bit, but you can see how selling the benefits of something requires imagination and vision. This is what will inspire your patrons and gain their support for any innovations you have planned for your library.
~Sue
Links from today's podcast:
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