My local library has a Summer Reading Program, open to readers of all ages, children through adults. I participated enthusiastically when I was a child, every summer. This summer I decided to participate as an adult. I was excited–I’ve just gotten back into the habit of reading, thanks in large part to having purchased a Kindle, and I thought, “How perfect! I can read all these books on my to-read list and participate in the Summer Reading Program too!”
Alas.
After I signed up, I opened up my “Record your books you’ve read here” form the librarian gave me, and noticed a line that said “Books must be checked out from the Wells County Public Library.”
So I exchanged tweets with the library, and was told that children and teens could use non-library books for their reading programs (they just had to get their books OK’d by a librarian). But adults had to use only books checked out from the library.
This really, really frustrates me.
Why the library is thwarting its own goal
I think the library’s goal is to encourage adults to come in to the library. Fair enough, and a worthwhile goal to have.
But what I think the library’s decision overlooks is the probability that limiting my book selection to library-only books won’t result in me entering the library and checking out books, but rather result in me not participating in the program at all. I already have a stack of purchased books (hardcopy & on my Kindle) that are waiting to be read — checking out other books doesn’t appeal to me when I’ve got such a plum stack of to-be-read material already.
If the library lifted its restriction and allowed me to use non-library books for my reading program, I would participate. And my participation in the program means that I’d be going into the library about once each week for the next five or six weeks. That’s five or six trips to the library.
Once I enter the library, the library now has my attention: do they have a used book sale going? I might stop by and purchase while I’m there. Do they have a new book club forming? I’ll see the sign on my way through and perhaps decide to participate. Are they seeking volunteers for an upcoming event? I might sign up while I’m there. Do they have a CD I’ve been excited to listen to? I might check that out while I’m there.
The fact is that the library, by restricting the books I can read for the program, is sacrificing five or six opportunities to have me in the library where I might participate in other library-related activities. So the attempt to force me to use the library… backfires.
Don’t fight a losing battle. Change the rules of the game!
The rise of online booksellers (Amazon and the independents too) has made the need for libraries drop significantly. For better or for worse, it’s what’s happened. It is the reality we’ve got.
And with the introduction of the Kindle and the E-book and the digital reading opportunities currently in existence and soon-to-be-born, public libraries, in their current incarnations, are going to continue taking a beating.
The solution isn’t to try to block the use of these alternate channels of books and reading, but to collaborate with ‘em. Examples:
- Have a book group where one of the books is a new-to-Kindle book, and encourage Kindle readers to come.
- Have an online forum for library card holders. Maybe even have an online reading group dedicated to e-books (there’s lots of free ones out there).
- For programs like the Summer Reading Program, allow books of all sorts: library check-outs, personally owned, swapped from a friend, on Kindle, ebooks. But maybe offer a bonus for library check-outs. (Maybe library-check outs get you entered into a bonus drawing for a prize. Or maybe every library check-out book counts as two books for your reading tally. Or maybe after you read 5 library check-out books you get a bonus prize that isn’t available otherwise. There are lots of options.)
Inclusion offers more gains than exclusion.
The fact is that those who’ve found alternatives to the library (and are happy with them) aren’t suddenly going to return to using the library like they once did. That’s neither good nor bad — it just is.
So what’s left is not the choice whether to change someone’s book acquisition habits, but to figure out how to engage readers regardless of their acquisition habits to the benefit of the library.
And to that end (as the music industry who once railed against digital music can profess), exclusion does not equal persuasion. Inclusion can work magic and can revitalize a struggling industry. Exclusion usually results only in driving a bigger wedge between you and the audience you’re trying to reach.
So to my library, I close with this request: Include me. Don’t sacrifice the presence I’m offering because it isn’t the presence you had in mind — it is still a presence that you wouldn’t (and won’t) have otherwise. That’s a gain, even if it isn’t precisely the gain you wanted. What you gain through inclusion will far outweigh what you might gain through exclusion.
The library has indicated a willingness to consider what I’ve written here & I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a good dialogue and compromise! I’ll update in the Comments below as I know more.
I’m Marissa, can-do-ologist, perpetual Curious George, and daily adventurer. 
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Dude, that’s just crazy!
The goal of library is to foster learning and it’s a gov’t funded, FREE operation! If you return your books on time, they don’t get any money from you checking out the books there, so why do they care?
So weird!
Twitter: marissabracke
19 June 2009 at 4:21 pm
I just received a Tweet from my local library (@WCPLibrary on Twitter) saying: “You make many excellent points. I’ll pass your link to the folks who set the [Summer Reading Program] rules. You should get a response soon”
I thanked them via Twitter for reading & considering my post. And I wanted to provide this update because I really do appreciate that they’re taking the time to consider my point of view.
Keeping my fingers crossed for a good compromise!
Tara,
It is possible that the library funding is based on the number of users measured as books checked out.