What's your elevator speech?
Do you have an "elevator speech?" You know, the one where you're making small talk with a stranger and after you mention that you work for the library, they reply with something along the lines of "isn't everything going online soon?" WE know what it is that we do (provide tutorials about & free access to popular software & the Internet, facilitate learning & literacy through play, provide free access to today's popular magazines, books & music, provide a safe & free meeting space in which to bring together shared interest groups, etc) but how do we convey this in these brief interactions? What's our marketing pitch (because let's face it: when you're talking to an eligible cardholder, you are marketing the library)?
23 Reasons Why Your Library Is the Most Important Place in Town
Have you thought about your elevator speech? What would you (or do you) say in it? Share it with us in the comments.
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I find that an easy way of putting it is to call myself an "information tour guide." People often think of librarians as old ladies who sit alone amongst piles of books all day, but I'm quick to point out that we help people navigate digital information, too. I explain that we're still here to recommend a good read when you're looking for one, but that much of our work is helping people find any kind of information they're looking for, in the format (print, digital, audio, video, etc.) they prefer. Whether it's searching for a tried-and-true recipe for beef bourguignon, or instructions that will help someone establish their own LLC, we're here to help guide people toward a variety of the best resources out there.
I'm impressed that you can spell "bourguignon!" I like "information tour guide," and can't wait for someone to ask me what I do.
I adore "Information Tour Guide". It's perfect!
I also really like your description of "information tour guide"! Customers encounter many different forms of information and may need assistance in understanding how the information can be best obtained or utilized. Our goal is to guide our customers through the endless amount of information to lead them down the best path based on their information need.
I like the title "Information Tour Guide". You give a good explanation
of how it fits. I may use it sometime in the future.
I like to remind people that there are still plenty of folks who have never touched a computer until the day came (late last week, in most cases) when they realized they had to. To apply for a job or sell a Corvette or connect with an interest in a new and vital way. Librarians spend a good deal of time these days shepherding people across the digital divide.
In my heart, though, the real job of a librarian is to answer random questions for people. A librarian is someone who doesn't know everything, but can know just about anything given a five-minute head start.
When I'm giving the library tour to new cardholders, I like to encourage them to put our number in their cell phones. We're cheaper than directory assistance, easier to talk to than Google, and we're just about the only people who get paid to answer any weird question that happens to occur to you.
I love the idea to suggest plugging us into people's cell phones. Heaven knows I have the ED reference desk on speed-dial. And it is free!
Most of the new people I meet are somewhere between 20 and 60. I always wind up telling them about the databases and ebooks and #TailoredTitles and all the other wonderful, fantastic, tremendous things you can do at the library without ever leaving the house :)
This is my one-floor elevator speech: I can't speak for other library systems but the Oklahoma County library system offers a department store variety of information and services with personal attention tailor-made for the needs of all customers who come through the door, call on the phone, or email a question.
The two-floor or more version of the speech can be filled in with more particulars.
Jim, you are always such a good ambassador for MLS!
I don't have much of an elevator speech yet (I tend to take the stairs), but I DO love practicing "guerrilla librarianship" whenever possible. I've taught the service managers at the Mini dealership how to use overdrive while waiting on my car, got my hairdresser hooked up with Zinio, and provided readers advisory for bartenders and bank tellers. I love telling people what I do and who I work for because it almost always turns into a great opportunity to talk up everything the library has to offer.
The more I hear it, the more I like this term. You need to start a website or blog by the same title. Super catchy! :)
That's great! And although your methods might have been considered unorthodox in the past, I think they're a great & current example of showing the public "who we are & what we do."
I tell people at whole foods about zinio all the time, its such a great way to save money and resources while patronizing the library! I <3 the library!
I was talking to my friend about this terrible Amish vampire romance, and then we got into a discussion of how romance novels have (cough) changed over time, and I linked some titles I thought she'd (ahem) enjoy, and told her oh, BY the way we have all of them and you can reserve them and pick them up later and since you're there get some DVDs for the kids, etc.; AND NOW she's going to get her FIRST library card at the advanced age of 36!!! Yaaay!!!!