This is the slides version of the Echo Chamber presentation, by Laura Woods and me. See my other presentations for a briefer introduction to the echolib problem!
This is the slides version of the Echo Chamber presentation, by Laura Woods and me. See my other presentations for a briefer introduction to the echolib problem!
Marketing Libraries Outside the Echo ChamberPresentation Transcript
Escaping the Echo Chamber Laura Woods and Ned Potter #echolib
What is the Echo Chamber? …any situation in which information, ideas or beliefs are amplified or reinforced by transmission inside an "enclosed" space
How does it apply to libraries? We exchange such great ideas about marketing libraries, but often we only talk to each other. We need to preach to the unconverted. We need to reach those potential patrons and supporters who are currently indifferent to libraries.
Why does it matter? Because funding for libraries is being cut on both sides of the Atlantic. Because there are many more channels for library scepticism than there is for library advocacy.
Because if people don’t know how we can help them, they won’t come to use for help. Yet if libraries were invented tomorrow PEOPLE WOULD FLOCK TO THEM
three examples of FAILURE
Exhibit A: the Seth Godin UBER EHCO DISASTER
Exhibit A: the Seth Godin UBER EHCO DISASTER
Exhibit A: the Seth Godin UBER EHCO DISASTER
Exhibit B: the Newsnight UBER EHCO DISASTER April 2010: Libraries are the main feature on Newsnight. Are they ‘an ethos in search of a function?’ asks the correspondent. Oh dear. Then they quote some figures….
It was actually 314 MILLION.
Twitter goes MAD WITH FRUSTRATION But nobody notices except other librarians. There is no one on the Newsnight panel who can correct the error, and although many librarians write in afterwards, the original audience who saw the misleading report will never know it was statistically wrong to the power of 1000.
Exhibit C: the INFAMOUS KPMG REPORT Libraries are back on Newsnight again, thanks to a KPMG report.
Exhibit C: the INFAMOUS KPMG REPORT Libraries are back on Newsnight again, thanks to a KPMG report. It’s not referenced, as Bethan Ruddock pointed out on her blog.
Exhibit C: the INFAMOUS KPMG REPORT Libraries are back on Newsnight again, thanks to a KPMG report. It’s not referenced, as Bethan Ruddock pointed out on her blog. In fact, it’s not true.
Exhibit C: the INFAMOUS KPMG REPORT Libraries are back on Newsnight again, thanks to a KPMG report. It’s not referenced, as Bethan Ruddock pointed out on her blog. In fact, it’s not true. Guess what happened next?
It all feels very familiar People reach audiences of millions with erroneous information about libraries; our riposte reaches only ourselves...
Now for some good news...
Successful Escapes Toby Greenwalt writes a response to Seth Godin that isn’t on a library blog!
Successful Escapes Phil Bradley goes on Radio 5 – twice! – to make the case for information literacy
Successful Escapes Lauren Smith launches local campaign to save Doncaster’s libraries and gets coverage in the national media, including the BBC
Successful Escapes Ian Clark writes a piece on libraries for The Guardian’s Comment is Free
Successful Escapes Lauren Smith writes a piece on libraries for The Guardian’s Comment is Free
Successful Escapes Simon Barron writes a piece on libraries for The Guardian’s Comment is Free
Pro Tip: The Guardian loves libraries!
Our take-away tips...
Escaping the Echo Chamber Only librarians read library journals! Write for publications your users read Don’t just advertise library services in the library! Where will non-users see them? Go to non-library conferences and events, and make your presence known! Speak your patrons’ language. Find out what they value and use words that reflect this
Escaping the Echo Chamber Avoid mixing our messages Develop a team of rivals Respond to attacks using the medium from whence they came...
Escaping the Echo Chamber Avoid mixing our messages Develop a team of rivals Respond to attacks using the medium from whence they came... Target our resources more wisely...
Tap into the zeitgeist
And above all We in the library profession need to TAKE CONTROL OF THE NARRATIVE
Over to you… If you have feedback, ideas, or strategies for escaping the Echo Chamber, we’d love to hear about them and add them to our presentation.
Learn more or get in touch Click to go to the following links: woodsiegirl’s blog thewikiman’s blog @woodisegirl @theREALwikiman or see a more comprehensive version of this presentation ON PREZI
Mitja Iskrić