Book targets what it takes to make library a success

I am very concerned about the future of libraries. Specifically, I worry that libraries will not change fast enough to be relevant in a future with information virtually in the air.

I wanted to research the topic. I thought I would use my network to identify successful 21st century libraries and analyze what they were doing. In the back of my mind, I thought this research might turn into a book.

Imagine my reaction when I discovered that someone has already done just that. Bill McCully, director of the Prospect Heights Public Library, gave me a copy of "The Thriving Library: Successful Strategies for Challenging Times" by Marylaine Block.

At first, I was annoyed, but as I perused the book, I was glad and even relieved. Block is an experienced researcher. She has approached the task of identifying thriving libraries and the attributes that undergird success in a most organized and thorough way. The result is a book better than anything I could have dreamed of producing.

Combining the results of successful (60 percent or more positive votes) library referendum requests since 2001, coupled with all the libraries that have been in the top 10 of Hennen's American Public Library Ratings for two or more years, plus the "Library Journal" Library of the Year choices from 2000-2006, gave Block a set of libraries with demonstrable success.

She added in a few libraries that she knew about from personal experience and started reading everything she could find in the literature and on the Internet about the libraries.

To verify that the success was not just a happy accident, Block also read library mission and vision statements, long-range and strategic plans and newsletters and annual reports.

This process resulted in the names of 65 library directors who had demonstrated solid success. Block composed a detailed survey and sent it to this group. Twenty-nine took the time to respond. Fortunately, the group is a nice cross-section of American public libraries with urban, suburban and rural libraries, as well as large and small libraries, well-funded and modestly funded libraries.

The book is organized around eight winning strategies identified by the library directors. Here's the list in the order of importance as assigned by the group:

• Emphasizing services to youth

• The library as a public space courting community leadership

• Building partnerships

• Marketing

• Stressing the economic value of the library

• Training

• Outreach to underserved populations

• Helping the community achieve important goals

In the book's afterword, Block noted the importance of customer service in supporting all of the above.

A chapter is devoted to each of the eight winning strategies beginning with a definition. The meat of each chapter is examples from libraries.

In the chapter on marketing, there is a subsection on the marketing plan with an example from the Louisville (Ky.) Free Public Library. This is followed with subsections, again with many real-world examples. Each chapter closes with an in-depth interview with someone who is a high achiever and strong exponent of the strategy.

McCully received two copies of this book because he was one of the 29 successful library directors who completed the initial survey. He is quoted several times in the text. Other North Suburban Library System public library directors are also quoted.

Anyone interested in the details of what it takes to be a successful library in the 21st century will enjoy this book. It's well written and easy to read. I just wish I had written it.