2023-04-07 SPLAT Curiosity Report: Volume 13, Issue 10
Featured Story
Digital Reference Visibility in Public Libraries
Digital reference discovery and visibility- or invisibility- is an issue that has long affected libraries of all types. Even in the aftermath of covid, when all digital collections should seemingly have enjoyed their greatest use while buildings were closed and in-person reference services were unavailable, factors such as the digital divide (where patrons are unable to access online services at home) and lack of awareness of certain databases meant that not every database saw an increase in usage. In a Lucidea article published in 2019 on marketing and visibility for virtual librarians and reference services, Miriam Kahn, MLS and PhD, admitted that in an era of Google and Wikipedia, databases and reference tools are often the last resource our patrons consult. Certain databases may remain invisible even when public libraries take steps to boost discoverability- such as using promotional posters, shelf talkers, and bookmarks. However, a few strategies still remain to assuage the problem of digital reference invisibility in public libraries.
In the first place, even when patrons seem unaware of online databases and reference services, it isn’t necessarily because they aren’t online at all. On the contrary- many public library patrons are avid users of Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Public Libraries Online cites a 2018 Pew finding that a whopping 69% of American adults use some sort of social media as a justification for why libraries should maintain an active social media presence to promote services. It may just be that patrons are not visiting the library website proper- the OCLC states that libraries reach only a small percentage of current and potential users through their own websites and communications, and a survey they conducted in 2013 showed that less than 2 percent of library users begin their search on a library website. Social media promotion of databases may help connect patrons to digital services where analog promotion falls behind. In a 2017 article in the Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association discussing engagement opportunities for libraries across the world, suggestions for boosting digital reference visibility included new technologies, such as pop-up chat boxes, Facebook and other social media spaces and mobile text messaging. Dr. Miriam Kahn with Lucidea recommends running a weekly blog with written, verbal, and visual training and marketing materials that include demonstrations of how to use databases.
Sometimes an institution-wide push might be needed, too, to increase patron awareness. For example, the North Port Public Library in North Port, Florida, has been known to dedicate a month to a specific database, spending the month printing promotional quartersheet flyers for staff to hand out to patrons in each service interaction, creating promotional pinback buttons for staff to wear, tweaking book displays to promote the database, and instructing staff to inform patrons about the merits of the database and how to use it. In addition, the North Port Library has taken to the Sarasota County Libraries System’s social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter to promote databases. (During Mango Month, staff greeted patrons in a foreign language and placed quartersheets in books being checked out to patrons. The quartersheets contained bread-crumb directions on how to access Mango- a foreign language learning digital resource- on the library website. Staff members were also shown a live demonstration of the resource at a staff meeting so they could walk patrons through how to use it.) With an all hands on deck approach, where every staff member is prepared to promote a specific digital service, it is harder for patrons to escape being aware of databases and what they can do.
A final strategy to increase digital reference awareness online could be to provide short descriptions beneath links to databases on public library websites so patrons will know from the start if the resource meets their information need, and/or to promote databases with high-visibility graphics or text directly on the homepage. Decreasing the number of clicks required to reach resources that need promotion could be a good way to get patron eyes on the resource. Not only that, but small tweaks made in the spirit of accessibility represent a good-faith effort by public libraries to accommodate patrons who may have a harder time with computers due to disability or a lack of familiarity with computer use.
Public libraries everywhere might benefit from one, or two- or all- of these strategies. Returning to the words of the Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association: Transformation in libraries is about evolving purposefully, leveraging existing successful services to innovate, influence and maximise community engagement. What this means is that, thankfully, libraries don’t need to seek out expensive solutions to the problem of digital reference invisibility- they can use the tools they have onhand to easily improve visibility and evolve the way they offer services, including digital services.
By Margaret Myrberg
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
At this year’s ILA Conference, I attended a session about Hints and Tricks for Overdrive/Libby/Sora. There are some really amazing accessibility features in Libby that I had not played around with. For e-audiobooks you can change the speed of the narrator (I love this feature). And for e-books you can change the lighting, font, scale, and there is even a font that is easier for dyslexic patrons to read. Even adding partner libraries is easy! (Don’t forget to check out ICFL’s IDEA collection)!
Why is this in the Fail Forward section of the Curiosity Report you ask? Well, I went into that workshop thinking Gosh I know everything I need to already, when it comes to Libby, what can they possibly teach me? And I learned that that was not necessarily true! I was reminded after the workshop that we shouldn’t stop asking questions and learning more about the resources we have available. There is always something more to learn out there, and we can help our patrons by not becoming stagnant.
By Maggie Dumont
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!
Creative Lab (Salt Lake Public Library System)
I love working in a makerspace library. I love learning about other makerspaces and the services they have to offer. I recently found out that the Salt Lake Public Library System has a makerspace called the Creative Lab. The Creative Lab has maker resources available, and workshops for all things related to technology and creativity. Their calendar has inspired me to bring some new events to our makerspace like beginner tabletop game development and video game creation.
By Mariah Farmer
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 https://libraries.idaho.gov/splat/
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.