I’ve been enjoying reading Chris Brogan’s blog recently, and his post titled The Target is Not the Weapon made me think. Here are some quotes:
“In social media, the tools aren’t the same thing as reaching a goal. If you’re a marketer looking to use these tools, then make the first goal to learn how the community moves, listen to its ebbs and flows, and then make the next goal to try starting conversations.”
and
“If you’re seeking to hit a target, is the goal to use a dart or an arrow or a bullet, or is it to improve your accuracy, or is it simply to hit the bullseye? The answer is C, even though A and B are part of the equation.”
Now apply that to libraries. Say a library wants to start a blog. Is the goal to have five posts a week, to have a cool blog, to learn how to blog, or even to share what’s happening at the library? Those are all ok goals… but they’re LITTLE goals. How about these goals:
- connect with your community in a real way
- connect with a new, online user base
- start real conversations with patrons
- become an active community resource (sorta like your physical library)
- once you’ve connected… figure out how best to meet these patron’s special needs.
Remember Helene Blowers’ Learning 2.0 / 23 Things? Maybe your 24th thing should be this: figure out what your real target is, and how these emerging tools and trends work into that equation.
Chris Brogan... says
Hi David. Great starts to your targets. What do you think about changing the way a library serves a community? Nothing smaller than that. Changing from what library scientists call a library to what the community truly needs.
I’m a library geek. What can I say? Used to be a page back in the day.
Chris Brogan... says
Hi David. Great starts to your targets. What do you think about changing the way a library serves a community? Nothing smaller than that. Changing from what library scientists call a library to what the community truly needs.
I’m a library geek. What can I say? Used to be a page back in the day.
davidleeking says
Chris – wow. Yes, that’s a small goal 🙂 And a great one, too! I’m guessing the things a library provides and the things a community wants from the library are very different.
Nice addition to the targets – thanks!
davidleeking says
Chris – wow. Yes, that’s a small goal 🙂 And a great one, too! I’m guessing the things a library provides and the things a community wants from the library are very different.
Nice addition to the targets – thanks!
essen2punt0 says
Hi David,
That is a great post. Thank you!
I am a participant of the 23 things version in the Netherlands and in this stage of my personal ’23 Quest’ I do find myself thinking about these questions: What to do with ‘it’.
Right now I’m starting with ‘Try to go where my patrons go’. That seems like a good first move for me.
essen2punt0 says
Hi David,
That is a great post. Thank you!
I am a participant of the 23 things version in the Netherlands and in this stage of my personal ’23 Quest’ I do find myself thinking about these questions: What to do with ‘it’.
Right now I’m starting with ‘Try to go where my patrons go’. That seems like a good first move for me.
Lori Reed says
Ironically shortly after PLCMC completed Learning 2.0, Helene and I did a workshop titled “The 24th Thing.” And it was exactly what you described. We had staff who had completed the 23 things brainstorm and decide how they could implement just one of those things for their branch or department. One of the most successful, and surprising, ideas to come out of the group was the Mint Hill Stitch In Blog. This was started by a circulation staff member who runs a crafting program called the “Stitch In.” She takes photos of the patrons crafts and uploads them to the site. The patrons love going to the site and looking at the photos. While the blog is not viral it means a lot to that community and it has deepened the staff’s knowledge as well.
Lori Reed says
Ironically shortly after PLCMC completed Learning 2.0, Helene and I did a workshop titled “The 24th Thing.” And it was exactly what you described. We had staff who had completed the 23 things brainstorm and decide how they could implement just one of those things for their branch or department. One of the most successful, and surprising, ideas to come out of the group was the Mint Hill Stitch In Blog. This was started by a circulation staff member who runs a crafting program called the “Stitch In.” She takes photos of the patrons crafts and uploads them to the site. The patrons love going to the site and looking at the photos. While the blog is not viral it means a lot to that community and it has deepened the staff’s knowledge as well.
davidleeking says
Lori – cool! It’s quite possible I’ve heard Helene use that phrase/concept. Either way, confirmation is always nifty!
davidleeking says
Lori – cool! It’s quite possible I’ve heard Helene use that phrase/concept. Either way, confirmation is always nifty!
jannie Sue says
The 24th Thing is brand-new to me, amazing what realms lie undiscovered.
Found you from a blog directory, songwriter tag.
This is great! You are very knowledgeable about lots of stuff.
My computer speakers blew so I can’t listen to your tunes but I’ll be checking back when my “audio interface capability” is rectified.
Thank you.
Jannie
jannie Sue says
The 24th Thing is brand-new to me, amazing what realms lie undiscovered.
Found you from a blog directory, songwriter tag.
This is great! You are very knowledgeable about lots of stuff.
My computer speakers blew so I can’t listen to your tunes but I’ll be checking back when my “audio interface capability” is rectified.
Thank you.
Jannie