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Idea Generator Stephen Abram May 24, 2006

Idea Generator Stephen Abram May 24, 2006. Lens Does the idea build capacity? Does it improve our positioning? Is it scalable – system, branch, temporal?

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Page 1: Idea Generator Stephen Abram May 24, 2006. Lens Does the idea build capacity? Does it improve our positioning? Is it scalable – system, branch, temporal?

Idea Generator

Stephen AbramMay 24, 2006

Page 2: Idea Generator Stephen Abram May 24, 2006. Lens Does the idea build capacity? Does it improve our positioning? Is it scalable – system, branch, temporal?

Lens

• Does the idea build capacity?• Does it improve our positioning?• Is it scalable – system, branch, temporal?• Is it repeatable – daily, weekly, monthly,

annual?• Is it affordable?• Is it cheap, exciting, cheerful?• Does it align with a community goal?• Will it offend or excite someone or group?

Page 3: Idea Generator Stephen Abram May 24, 2006. Lens Does the idea build capacity? Does it improve our positioning? Is it scalable – system, branch, temporal?

Just an idea to consider

• Local History – Flickr, Blog, Teens and Seniors• Flickr, Podcast, Vodcast – Author Readings and Blog• Music night• Listen Buffalo – Overdrive audio-book aimed at

commuters like ListenIllinois• Teen nights: gaming, DDR (Dance Dance

Revolution) YouTube Gallery, Rock the Shelves, GarageBand, iTunes, content creation by library card holders

• Big events: e.g. Book Lovers Ball • Review CPL strategic plan and others

Page 4: Idea Generator Stephen Abram May 24, 2006. Lens Does the idea build capacity? Does it improve our positioning? Is it scalable – system, branch, temporal?

Just an idea to consider

• New forms of LibraryTourism an ArtTourism: partner with art galleries, museums, science centre, local artists and private galleries

• Tourism: Genealogy, Mark Twain, Frank Llloyd Wright, architecture tours, Falls, presidential assassinations, canal, boats, trains, …

• Homework Helpers: School Board partnerships, teacher collaboration (See CPL, TPL and MLS models)

• One City, One Book (ALA and Nancy Pearl plans – add blog, Wiki, etc.

• Instant messaging pilot to specific group.

Page 5: Idea Generator Stephen Abram May 24, 2006. Lens Does the idea build capacity? Does it improve our positioning? Is it scalable – system, branch, temporal?

Just an idea to consider

• Newspaper alliance (beyond book reviews, best borrowed)

• PBS Alliance• TV Station alliances (Why Guy, 2,4,7,29,etc.)• Book TV• Talk to advertising and editorial (Compare your

number of library cards to their circulation – Patricia Martin from Litlamp)

• Podcasts – teen reviews, senior reviews, mother reviews, story time.

• Teddy bear night tied to CE support

Page 6: Idea Generator Stephen Abram May 24, 2006. Lens Does the idea build capacity? Does it improve our positioning? Is it scalable – system, branch, temporal?

Just an idea to consider

• Know your top 10 questions (genealogy, consumer health, cooking

• Know your recreational reading (including non-fiction)

• Understand the impact of viewing and language DVD etc.)

• Know your hobbies• Know what is over-circulating (spiritual, myths,

language, etc.• Know the long tail and manage it.

Page 7: Idea Generator Stephen Abram May 24, 2006. Lens Does the idea build capacity? Does it improve our positioning? Is it scalable – system, branch, temporal?

Just an idea to consider

• Understand your markets (NDP and Christie Koontz))

• Mine your circulation data (DS)• Predict mutations in user behaviors• Restore the branch relationship• Allow for staff (and team) play and pilots• Plan a new launch every month and gear up

your operations to support each. • Don’t study things to death• Plan, Do, Evaluate

Plan, Do, Evaluate Plan, Do, Evaluate

Page 8: Idea Generator Stephen Abram May 24, 2006. Lens Does the idea build capacity? Does it improve our positioning? Is it scalable – system, branch, temporal?

Key Learnings

• Lead vs. Manage• Vision vs. Operations• Motivation Environment• Building a healthy ecology• Politics is good – economic impact (value studies)• Target (personas?)• Build commitment to a new culture and future –

don’t repair the current one.• Follow change resisters…• Support library staff play – micro-training nuggets

Page 9: Idea Generator Stephen Abram May 24, 2006. Lens Does the idea build capacity? Does it improve our positioning? Is it scalable – system, branch, temporal?

Questions to address

• Culture, Morale• Union• Decide your “Brand” (not about logos really)• Energy (not just age)• Staff capacity – attitude, aptitude, gaps• Organization and governance• Investment orientation and budget• Productivity vs. the User Experience• Partnerships – current and needed• Foundation