Welcome back to the Wednesday Word. Here is what’s new at the Indiana State Library.
ROBERTA BROOKER APPOINTED INTERIM LIBRARY DIRECTOR
On Friday, December 16, 2005, the Indiana Library and Historical Board (ILHB) appointed Roberta Brooker to serve as Interim Director of the Library. Roberta’s long-term commitment to the Library began when she was hired as a reference librarian in the Indiana Division after graduating with her M.L.S. from Indiana University. Since then, she has spent time tabulating library statistics and managing the library certification program in the Library Development Office and working as the State Data Center Coordinator. In 2004, Roberta took on the position of Associate Director of Public Services, managing the Genealogy, Indiana, and Reference and Government Services divisions of the Library. In her new role as Interim Director, Roberta plans to support the collaborative efforts of Indiana libraries and library organizations. “The Library has seen many changes since I came on board 17 years ago, but we have never stopped preserving and providing access to information for Indiana state employees and citizens. As we move into 2006, library funding is decreasing and library responsibility is increasing. Indiana libraries can overcome these challenges by cooperating with one another. I plan to work with INCOLSA, ILF, and the entire Indiana library community to improve statewide relationships and offer the best library service possible to Hoosiers of all ages.”
PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF LIBRARIES
What do people think of immediately when they hear the word “library”? According to the findings of a 2005 study sponsored by OCLC, they think of books alone. Harris Interactive surveyed consumers in six different countries, asking them about their information-seeking preferences and their views of libraries. A December 6 OCLC report entitled “Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources” details these findings. According to the report, borrowing print materials was the library service used most by respondents. “Books” is considered the library brand. Ninety percent of those surveyed were satisfied with their most recent search engine information inquiry. Consumers still use the library, but use it less and read less since they began using the Internet. Respondents liked the idea of information self-service and felt comfortable with their own ability to judge the reliability of electronic information.
Former Indiana State Librarian Barbara Maxwell believes the study reveals a long-term need for libraries to reposition themselves to last through the 21st century and beyond. “I am very pleased that OCLC has sponsored this study because it provides a rare opportunity for librarians to peer into the minds of information consumers and see ourselves as they see us. Libraries can use the data from this report to make informed changes in the way we market ourselves and do business. We must make it clear to consumers that libraries provide top-notch, quality access to virtual collections and electronic information as well as print materials.” To download the full report, please visit www.oclc.org/reports/2005perceptions.htm.
BRANDING @ YOUR LIBRARY
A recent OCLC Newsletter article by Tom Storey entitled “Extreme Makeover: Library Edition” builds on OCLC’s study by suggesting that libraries all over the world are experiencing a “brand challenge.” While libraries are still seen as sources of information, users now have confidence in the power of self-service search engines to fill their information needs. Libraries can respond swiftly and powerfully to these public misperceptions by rebranding the library image. Consumers must be made aware that libraries are one-stop information shops, quickly providing access to quality information in both electronic and print formats.
Barbara Maxwell, former Indiana State Librarian, is quoted by Storey several times in the article. She points out that while libraries have a plethora of eContent and eServices to offer consumers, “libraries are going to have to innovate” in order to positively influence users’ perceptions. “We need to become so invaluable that the thought of us not being a part of society is unthinkable.” To achieve that goal, Storey encourages the library profession to learn from the successes of recent rebranding campaigns like McDonald’s, the Discovery Channel, and IBM. The full text of this article can be accessed in volume 1, issue 1 of OCLC’s new magazine, NextSpace, coming soon.
For more information about the Library, please visit us in downtown Indianapolis or online at
Shannon Bloomquist
sbloomquist@statelib.lib.in.us