Why bother to promote to those who don't want to use libraries?

A few years ago, a colleague asked me something to this effect -- "Why do we have to try so hard to promote the library, implement outreach activities, do loan promotions? Why spend all the effort trying to get those who aren't interested in reading to use libraries? Why don't we only serve those who want to read?"

I was reminded of that after reading Michael McGrorty's post, Moving Libraries (14 Jun 05).

The person whom Michael described in his post would be what the NLB defines as a "non-user", in the category of those who are more concerned about hand-to-mouth issues rather than think about "expanding one's learning capacity". As Michael puts it, these people "have their hands full just getting along".

Essentially, Michael is saying that opening libraries isn't enough on its own. He advocates outreach activities, as well as for libraries to consider other options to reach these people. I agree wholeheartedly with Michael. But I have no answers how to effectively do this.

It is very tough trying to reach out to these people who are just not inclined to use libraries (I mean, consider READ! Singapore. As it is, not all readers are participating).

Over the years, NLB have tired to target the non-users. And we're still trying, like the kidsREAD programme that targets at children from low-income families. There are successes, though it's never enough.

Trying to serve this group is extremely morale-draining. One can lose heart because the response from them just isn't forthcoming. I'll be bullshitting you if I said I'm never disheartened. Oh, many times especially at the beginning of my career.

Now, perhaps because of my current responsibilities, I take a more detached view to such things. But instead of feeling disheartened directly, it's more of dealing with issues of staff resenting you for, say, asking them to do outreach when the results have not been forthcoming. Reading an earlier post of mine, I realised I was actually expressing some of that frustration.

So as much as I want to say that "parents have to play their part", the reality is that if libraries don't do something, the vicious cycle continues.

If I was asked the same question again, I'd refer my colleague to Michael's post.

I could recall vague bits of my answer to my colleague. Frankly I don't think I was that convincing. Or maybe this colleague of mine didn't really want an answer. Or maybe, I tried too hard to give one.

Perhaps the only answer (at least one that I believe in) is that we public service librarians just have to do it, because no one else will.


Tag: library advocacy, librarianship, public librarianship, public service librarian, role of libraries, reading promotion