Urban branches: 8 ways to increase circulation

Ohio Libraries, Winter 2003 by Dutton, Brenda

* Another barrier was getting teachers to take collections of books to share with children in the classroom. The cost of loss and fines was too high. Urban schools would not get Corporate Cards for the same reasons. The system solution was to create an Educator Card for certified teachers that allows up to $25 worth of fines each year and forgives one lost item. The cards were an immediate success.

* Talk up books to individuals or a bunch of friends informally and constantly. Find something related to their interests and "sell" the books. Many times people don't know we have just what they can't resist checking out.

ANY PROGRESS IS PROGRESS AND DESERVES CELEBRATION

* Be sure all the staff knows their efforts are appreciated and how vital the reinforcement they give is to the success of encouraging and rewarding the library usage behaviors (get a card, bring the card, check out).

* Staff love to help with the Fine Read Days and one or two do each month.

* Staff help host summer performances and talk up the displayed books on the program's theme.

* Be happy with any gain in book circulation.

EVALUATE, DITCH, AND TWEAK

* Forget the in-depth analysis and don't design any forms! Just gather available staff to talk about what was tried. Give each other feedback: Did the idea work?

* Would any adjustments make it work better? If no, then pitch that one. Discuss if it is possible to spin off a successful idea in a new direction or to a different age group.

* Be patient. It took a year and a half of ranting about fines, making lists of possible projects that were never enough before desperation brought the idea of having the children read to the summer assistant. It took two discussions after her job ended to form the idea of trying a fall Fine Read Day.

There is a new assistant manager now. We meet to brainstorm, to evaluate what worked or didn't work, and to solicit suggestions from the staff. We have learned to think small, be patient and savor any success. We are always on the lookout for community collaborations that are mutually beneficial and ideas that could spark an interest in reading and increase circulation. It's the part of our job that makes working in an urban location equally frustrating and rewarding.

WRITTEN BY BRENDA DUTTON,

FRANKLINTON BRANCH MANAGER COLUMBUS METROPOLITAN LIBRARY

Brenda Dutton is the Franklinton Branch manager for the Columbus Metropolitan Library.