Hi. I am in a tough marketing situation. It is also a non-business type question of sorts. My sister is the librarian of a small-town library that is struggling for users. The library needs to have a certain transaction rate to remain open. There are enough people in the community to keep the library open, but they just aren’t using the library.

I want to get more people in and using the library. How should I go about getting more people into the library, and using its services? New programs, etc?

Also, the library has little funding. How could I get more money into the library? The library has done things such as raffles and draws in the past to raise funds. Any ideas?

Thanks for your help.

Did you tried to do some actions for schools? Young people have enough time for reading. I don't know about situation in your town, but this can probably help. It is cheap (it cost's you about a hour for one school) and it can rise number of readers.
Has this library internet pages? Is there a catalogue? If not, you will probably have to make it. If people have to go to the library to see the catalogue, they will not come so often (they are very lazy).

Hello

In Indianapolis, Indiana...there is a mobile library that visits elderly, nursing homes, & daycare centers/daycare homes...or just people who have a hard time getting out. There is also times the library has volunteers(usually elderly) who read to young children brought in by their parents. Schools also have a reading program where if children read so many books...they get a reward...usually donated by businesses in the area(like a small pan pizza from PizzaHut or a free kids' meal at Old Country Buffet). Toys R Us...which I know isn't a library...has a pokemon night/afternoon where children trade pokemon cards for a couple hours. And I know Boy Scout Troops are always looking for places to hold meetings...maybe if you offer a room or a small section of the library to Boy Scout Troop meetings...the parent can have the meeting while the children look for books.

I would just like to say good karma to you Elreco for trying get people to read and visit their library. Just the attempt is fantastic and I wish you luck.