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Users are the raison d'être of a library. Its printed and audiovisual materials, services, programs and activities are presented and organized according to their demands. However, this close relationship between library and users can be significantly enhanced if they are involved in the daily routine of the library. In fact, this also helps to foster their motivation and loyalty.
Users as information sources
There are many ways to gather information about our users;through attendance statistics and records of participation in activities, loan data...However, the richest source of information are the users themselves. They give us information about their own tastes and interests as they help us to profile those of other children and young people from their same environment or age group.
Putting suggestion boxes, currying out surveys and exchanging opinions with users is a highly recommended practice in a library. These feedback channels have acquired a new dimension with the new technology and the new media: e-mail, social networks ... are useful tools for keeping in touch with users.
Users as assistants
Turning users into librarians´ collaborators is a very successful idea when they use it autonomously, something that should be encouraged through user training activities. Among the different tasks they can carry out, it is especially interesting when they help other users to find the information, when they explain them how a service works or invite them to participate in an activity...
It is also a good strategy to involve users in day to day running of the library, recommending reading material among peers. These recommendations can be shown in brochures or reading guides, or can be included in the library’s website or blog.
Users as content developers
Offering advice, help or resources to users to develop their content, makes the dynamics and library materials more rich and unique. It can be possible to set up an advice or study group in which children or young people can put forward their ideas for the design of specific activities and services: scheduling a concert, a play or an open mic session, and holding a competition to design posters that promote the library and its initiatives; thus establishing a ranking of the best works (books, music, movies, games ...) by a common vote. It is advisable to offer them some web-spaces in which to host their creations (stories, music sessions, videos ...).
A library is a place full of life which is transformed with its users to continue as their referential and meeting point around culture. |
