2022-12-02 SPLAT Curiosity Report: Volume 13, Issue 2

Featured Story

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Personalized Readers Advisory with a Twist

12 years ago, the world was introduced to cosmetic subscription boxes from a company named Birchbox. The subscription model facilitates the need for easy, increased personalization at a low cost. As of 2021, 68% of consumers subscribed to a subscription box. 
 
In 2020, the pandemic had forced libraries to get creative about our services. One way my library wanted to do this was to start a book box pilot program.
 
Our program was open to adults and teens who were Meridian Library District cardholders. During a 3 month period, subscribers would receive 3 books chosen by library staff, as well as some other goodies like Hot Cocoa, Tea, or 3D printed items. We aim to provide patrons with diverse materials in the genre and format they desire.
 
Initially our pilot program ran during the summer, but we decided to proceed with future boxes going out during the winter months of December, January and February. Success is embedded in creating an experience for the subscriber, and there is potential for creating strong connections within our community. Data collection and personalization have the potential to affect patron privacy, so we are vigilant in the ways we use and process this data and information. We’ve tried to select packing materials thoughtfully, as most will come with an environmental cost. We’ve done 3 rounds so far, and are about to get our 4th started.
 
Libraries around the country are also piloting projects like this, including Illinois Library Association, Plainfield Area Public Library, Pembroke Public Library. Library subscription boxes can range in providing material for certain age groups, while others are open for all ages. Amazon even offers a Prime Book Box that delivers 2 hard backed books every 1, 2 or 3 months for kids 0-12 at 40% off list price.
 
If this is something you’d like to introduce to your library, here are some resources.

References:
 
“How the Pandemic Revived the Subscription Box Industry.” Davis, Leesa. Wicked Reports. March 22, 2022. https://www.wickedreports.com/blog/how-the-pandemic-revived-the-subscription-box-industry. 
 
“Subscription Boxes”, American Library Association, January 10, 2020.
http://www.ala.org/tools/future/trends/subscriptionboxes.
 
By Mariah Farmer

Fail Forward

We’ve all been there. You pour your heart into a program, and no one shows up. You try something new, and you fall on your face. Sound familiar? Fail Forward is the place to share your failures, and give you the opportunity to share what you learned from them. Did you promote your program in a different way after no one showed up? Maybe you took a new approach to the new thing you were excited about? Awesome! Share your story via our online form so others can learn, and realize that failure is often part of the process.

Failing Forward

Driving a 15 ton, 60 foot articulated bus can be a bit challenging. At times, it can be difficult to get this vehicle into a particular spot for a particular event. Parking is always a unique challenge. As an outreach specialist, my job often takes me to the peripheries of the county and into unconventional situations. On a few occasions, I’ve even driven the bus to a new location without having been there before. Sometimes I need to back up the behemoth. To do this gracefully requires relying on my mirrors. The bus has both convex mirrors as well as a rear-view mirror.
 
It wasn’t until I stopped using the rear-view mirror that I experienced more control in my backing. Once I did, everything changed for me. My awareness of the vehicle improved. My backing became more precise. I suddenly had more control than ever before.
 
By Chris Thielen

Crush Corner

Is there a library you follow on social media who is always doing new and exciting things? How about a blog you follow that inspires you? What about a new idea, book, or resource that you want to share? Library Crush Corner is a place for those working in Idaho libraries to share what inspires them, and who or what they’re crushing on… in a professional sense. Share your story via our online form so we can publish it in a future issue!

Crush Corner

During COVID, academic librarians in the Ukraine brainstormed how to communicate with their first-year students and help the students get to know the library and the librarians. They implemented online quiz games through Kahoot! And video conferencing. For the full story, go to https://crln.acrl.org/index.php/crlnews/article/view/25639/33535
 
By Tania Harden

SPLAT explores the ever-evolving library world and supports library folks as they adapt to meet the needs of their communities. Library folk throughout the state of Idaho volunteer to serve on the Special Projects Library Action Team (SPLAT). Learn more about SPLAT at splat.lili.org

SPLAT is brought to you by the Idaho Commission for Libraries and was made possible, in part, by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (LS-246156-OLS-20). The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.