Beyond the Stacks: Patron Engagement While Closed for Renovation

Your library going through a building renovation can lead to many different, and often conflicting emotions. You might feel excited at the prospect of a new space, relief at much needed changes finally getting done, or worry over if something will go wrong. Building renovations are complicated, and depending on the size and scope of the work, you may need to close to the public for a while.

That’s what happened to my library, which has been physically closed since last month while changes are made to the building. No matter if your closure is a short-term, surprise closure after a burst pipe, or a longer closure, you want to make sure you maintain a positive relationship with patrons while your physical building is closed. But how can you?

1. Communicate As Much As You Can

Tell your patrons about the closure as soon as you know about it. This can be tricky, especially if the closure is last-minute due to a building emergency. But the more you keep patrons in the loop about what’s happening, the more understanding they will be. Make sure to use different communication platforms, including your website, social media, email blasts, and newsletter.

2. Promote Digital Resources

This is a great time to remind patrons of all of your great digital resources. Ebooks, databases, and learning platforms can keep your patrons connected to your library while you’re closed. If you know you will be closing, you can even make a video explaining how to use a certain platform. If your library offers any digital readers’ advisory resources, make sure they are still available while the building is closed for renovation.

Keep in mind that you can also promote digital resources from outside the library. Did you know that ALSC creates a list of Notable Children’s Digital Media each year? These lists are an invaluable resource for both you and your patrons. You can share these resources with your patrons, who can then explore their favorite selections. ALSC also presents the Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Award each year. You can read about this year’s winner in this post from Emily Haage, and share the winner with your patrons.

3. Take and Makes are Your Friend While Closed for Renovation

If possible, help patrons prepare for your building closure by giving them plenty of take-home crafts and programs. Can you bag up a leftover craft from a storytime? Do you have packets of word searches and coloring pages they can take home? Giving patrons a chance to stock up on activities to do at home will help in two ways. First, it will help patrons realize how much you care about them, and that you will miss them as much as they miss you. Second, it gives you a way to answer “What will we do while your closed for renovation?” that shows great customer service. Your play area may be closed, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. If you need help thinking of craft ideas, check out this great guide from Alicia Hulten.

4. Showcase Other Local Libraries

As librarians, we love to collaborate! We share resources, ideas, and work together to provide all of our patrons with the best possible service. A building closure gives you another opportunity to collaborate by promoting these amazing libraries. My library is part of a consortium, so our patrons have access to 100 libraries. Before closing, we made sure patrons knew this, and focused on highlighting the libraries geographically closest to us. If your library is not part of a consortium, see if your director or administration can talk to other libraries or local agencies for assistance. Most libraries understand the challenges that come with a building closure and are happy to help.

Building closure and renovations can be challenging, but they are also exciting. By keeping patrons engaged during a closure, you can help keep them excited about your library’s project. Has your library had to close for renovation? How did you keep patrons engaged?

Ann Baillie (she/her/hers) is the Youth Services Assistant Manager at the Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library in Alsip, Illinois. She is a past-manager of the Illinois Library Association’s Youth Services Forum. Her main interests are the connection between Readers’ Advisory and technology, and how libraries can use technology to better reach patrons.

This post addresses ALSC Core Competencies II. Reference and User Skills and III. Programming Skills.

The post Beyond the Stacks: Patron Engagement While Closed for Renovation appeared first on ALSC Blog.

 Your library going through a building renovation can lead to many different, and often conflicting emotions. You might feel excited at the prospect of a new space, relief at much needed changes finally getting done, or worry over if something will go wrong. Building renovations are complicated, and depending on the size and scope of the work, you may need to close to the public for a while. That’s what happened to my library, which has been physically closed since last month while changes are made to the building. No matter if your closure is a short-term, surprise closure after a burst pipe, or a longer closure, you want to make sure you maintain a positive relationship with patrons while your physical building is closed. But how can you? 1. Communicate As Much As You Can Tell your patrons about the closure as soon as you know about it. This…
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