NCompass Live :Have Laptop Will Travel
28
Young Professionals: the group you don’t realize you’re missing Amy Mather Technology Librarian, Omaha Public Library Manya Shorr Branch Manager, Omaha Public Library
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Library Journal 2010 Movers & Shakers Manya Shorr and Amy Mather from the Omaha Public Library will talk about their efforts to reaching out to the group you may not realize you are missing: the under-served young professionals. They will talk about their Have Laptop Will Travel program, speed dating, and Board Silly (adult game night in your library).
Transcript of NCompass Live :Have Laptop Will Travel
Young Professionals:the group you don’t realize you’re missing
Amy MatherTechnology Librarian, Omaha Public Library
Manya ShorrBranch Manager, Omaha Public Library
What is a young professional?
Omaha Demographics
http://www.selectgreateromaha.com/Omaha/media/docs/Publications/Greater%20Omaha%20Demographic%20Profile.pdf
PEOPLE ARE MARRYING LATER IN LIFE.
MARRIAGE RATES FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR
MOTHER’S AGE WITH FIRST CHILD
18% OF 18-29 YEAR OLD ATTEND A RELIGIOUS SERVICE
EVERY WEEK.
MEMBERSHIP IN COMMUNITY GROUPS HAS DECLINED BY MORE THAN ONE-FOURTH
SINCE THE 1970S.
Twenge, Jean. Generation Me. New York: Free Press, 2006. pg. 24.
WHERE DO YOUNG ADULTS FIND COMMUNITY?
YOU SERVE KIDS, YOU SERVE TEENAGERS
AND YOU SERVE SENIORS.
DO YOU SERVE ADULTS?
NEARLY 1 IN 5 ADULTS NEVER HAVE CHILDREN.*
THEY ARE YOUR NEW UNDERSERVED POPULATION.
*http://www.roanoke.com/extra/wb/58164
Why don’t most of them use the library?
Would you use the library if you didn’t work there?
There are many reasons
• They buy their material.
• All library programming is for kids or seniors.
• They have no idea that we have resources that they might like.
• The library has no value in their lives.
What can you do?
Find the sweet spot!
How do you find them?
How we do it:
• Email blast. Are you still asking people to opt-in? Stop it!• Facebook and Twitter. Yep, they work.• Time and a little $.• Word of mouth/personal connections/staying involved with the
community. Involve yourself with local groups. • Direct mail solicitations. Be bold and ask.• Local media. If you plan a quirky and odd event, they will want to
cover it.• High turn-out numbers are great but don’t mean much. Slow and
steady.• One-night liquor license!
Most importantly,
You.
Must.
Try.
