Growing Your Next Generation of Patrons
- 1. Growing Your Next Generation of Patrons: Staying Relevant in the Network Society
- 2. A library is a place, a palace where the lofty spirits of all nations and generations meet.” - Samuel Niger
- 3. Generations: who are they? WWII 1922-1941 Baby Boomers 1942-1965 Generation X 1965-1982 Millennials 1982-2000 L & B
- 4. The Next Generation of Library Patrons: Meet “The Millennials” 1982-2000 (7-25 yrs old) a.k.a Gen Y, Echo Boomers, Nexters, Nintendo Generation, etc Biggest numbers: Baby Boomers = 74 Million Millennials = 78 Million
- 5. Defining Moments: Columbine High School Massacre September 11, 2001 (sometimes called Generation 9/11) War in Iraq Major Disasters: Hurricane Katrina, Indian Ocean Tsunami
- 6. Defining Technologies Internet Napster Cell Phones Social Networking Sites iPods Instant Messaging
- 7. Millennial Characteristics Graphical/ Visual Patriotic Cause Oriented Fun seeking Achievement Oriented Family Oriented Confident Multi-taskers Entrepreneurial Gamers Nomadic Independent High Expectations Civic Minded Adaptive / Flexible Collaborative No format loyalty Short Attention Span Internet Natives Shifting Ethics Respect Intelligence More Diverse More Friends Optimistic/ Positive
- 9. What do they want from me? What Millennials want from Libraries Wireless internet access Remote/electronic access to all library materials A more comfortable environment -- couches, coffee, and food all ranked highly "More staff who are helpful and who show you where stuff is" -- a direct quote Better marketing -- tell the public about what you've got going on! More choices in materials Source: PopGoesTheLibrary.com, Millennials and Libraries
- 10. Social Context for Library Information Technology creates a new forum for teaching library skills. Millennials are used to connecting socially through technology. Libraries + Millennial Technology = New Level of Library Service. How? Virtual Reference Reader’s Advisory Online Programming L
- 11. 2. Marketing of Library Services Technology changes the way we market library services to Millennials. B
- 12. 3. Creating a more personable Library Environment B By using technology to reach out to teens, patrons will feel less intimidated by the “institutionalized” library. Ideas: Post pictures of the library and librarians Have a sense of humor Communicate with patrons in their own time, on their own terms
- 14. How Many of You… Have used a social network site (such as Myspace)? Have used Streaming Video (sites such as YouTube)? Have used Photo Sharing sites (like Flickr)? Have used online surveys in programming? Have used text messaging in programming? Have Podcasted? L & B
- 16. Social Network 6 th Most Popular website (in any language), 3 rd most popular in US 85% of teens who have created an online profile say the profile they use or update the most is on Myspace. Over 85% of high school and college students use either Myspace or Facebook Sources: Wikipedia: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myspace) Stephen Abram’s Lighthouse : (http://www.sirsidynix.com/Resources/Pdfs/Company/Abram/MMIS_Pipeline_JulyAug2006.pdf) Pew/Internet and American Life Project ( ( http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/198/report_display.asp L
- 17. Over 154 Million users on Myspace. Who are they? “… the average 12-17 year-old user spent 260 minutes on the site during the month viewing about 808 pages. Those in the 35-54 year-old spent 179 minutes visiting the site and viewed 560 pages.” -Advertising Age Magazine B
- 18. Social Networking site (available only in English) #1 site on the internet for photos (6 million photos uploaded daily) 17 million members world wide More difficult for organizations (such as libraries) get a profile
- 19. Ranked as #1 favorite website by Millennials (ages 17-25).
- 21. Why are Social Networking sites so attractive to Millennials? It’s Cool! Keep track of friends Something to personalize and maintain Great form of digital communication B
- 22. Using Social Networking Sites in the Library Allows teens to get to know you Reaches teens on their own terms and time Advertise upcoming events Post pictures of past events Blog book discussions Post book reviews Answer basic reference questions Notify friends when new books arrive Featured library item of the week/month
- 23. Streaming Video
- 24. Popular free video sharing website which lets users upload, view, and share video clips. Named “2006 Invention of the Year” by Time Magazine Thought of as one of the most user friendly sites on the internet Users can post comments about videos and subscribe to specific user accounts.
- 25. No Cookies in the Library! Ellie’s promo video A Few of our favorite YouTube videos
- 26. Delivers content in original format (meaning most of the time higher quality than YouTube) Videos delivered via peercasting technology (think peer to peer) – software download required Michel Eisner (ex-Disney Chairman) is currently on board of directors
- 27. Video sharing website like YouTube Unlike YouTube, focuses on directed content (asks for specific videos) Slogan: “Broadband content you actually might want to watch” Actively trying to combine online broadcasting with on the air broadcasting
- 28. Animated videos Videos created using 3D rendering technology and software like iClone Many videos based on popular video games: Quake Machinima, Halo Machinima VERY popular with teenage boys
- 30. Programming with video sites Event promotion PSA Spice up library events Host a digital film festival Post book reviews Create volunteer training video
- 31. Photo Sharing
- 32. An image hosting, video hosting, slideshow creation and photo sharing website Used mostly for photo albums and slideshows. Also used for storing avatars and videos Slideshows used in social networking sites, ebay, livejournals, and blogging
- 33. Photo sharing site AND online community platform One of the first Web 2.0 applications Innovative use of tagging Used a lot by bloggers (b/c of ease of use)
- 34. Computer application used for sorting and organizing digital photos Offers basic photo editing tools (red eye, cropping, etc) Neven Vision technology coming soon (acquired in August 2006) – Facial Recognition
- 35. Programming with Photo sites Library tour Create slideshows of library events (get permission to use photos if faces will be shown) Resize photos and create static URLs for use on websites
- 36. Online Surveys
- 37. Purpose: to help ANYONE create professional looking online surveys. Users design surveys, collect responses, and analyze responses. Response data can be analyzed in Excel Free (10 questions and 100 responses) and Paid (unlimited questions, 1000 responses, unbranded survey) memberships ($19.95 a month)
- 38. Programming with Survey Monkey Book awards User satisfaction survey Vote on upcoming events Vote on books to add to the collection Vote on logos for library
- 39. Text Messaging
- 40. GoText is a freeware short message service application Features: Address book, data import, recent numbers, etc. Coverage: North America. Strong in metropolitan areas, sketchy in rural areas. (This is the biggest online complaint about GoText)
- 41. Mozes Send and receive mobile messages to and from your favorite bands, social groups and friends. Organizations can set up an account to send messages out to members of their “mob” Creates a widget for webpages or myspace pages
- 42. Programming with Text Messages Notify patrons about upcoming events Notify patrons about cancelled events Notify patrons when new materials arrive
- 43. Podcasting
- 44. Podcasting “ A Podcast is: 1. An audio file you create in .mp3 format... 2. Which contains your own radio show or any audio you wish others to have... 3. That you upload along with an RSS (Really Simple Syndication) file to a server (your website for instance)... 4. That your intended listeners download using one of several programs that have been created to retrieve your audio file automatically... 5. So they can listen to it at their convenience on their own iPod or .mp3 player.” Source: http://radio.about.com/od/podcastin1/a/aa030805a.htm
- 45. Programming with Podcasting Book discussions Book reviews (by librarians or teens) PSA Storytimes Special events (like concerts)
- 47. DOPA Deleting Online Predators Act (H.R. 5319) Uses E rate funding to “protect minors from online predators in the absence of parental supervision when using "Commercial Social Networking Websites" and "Chat Rooms". Many Internet websites -- ranging from Yahoo to Amazon.com -- allow user accounts, public profiles, and user forums, which fits the bill's definition of "social networking". Illinois Social Networking Prohibition Act http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/ifissues/onlinesocialnetworks.htm
- 48. Connecting Millennials and Libraries
- 49. Bringing Millennials Back to the Library Millennials are not using libraries Stealth patrons Getting information from the internet Does this mean that Millennials aren’t reading or that they don’t need our services? NO!
- 50. The Bookstore Model Relaxed environment Drinks and snacks are permitted Many cozy gathering spots WiFi Cell phone use Helpful friendly staff
- 51. What can we do? Relax the rules Train library staff Hire student workers Accept student volunteers Create a designated teen area Permit food (at least in designated areas) Use and offer current technology Create fun interesting programs Involve local schools
- 52. Where to begin… Keep track of pop culture Listen to your teens Ask for feedback Allow teens to assist in program planning Seek out the hot new trend Keep marketing materials eye catching and graphic rich See what is working elsewhere