NCompass Live :Have Laptop Will Travel

Young Professionals:the group you don’t realize you’re missing

Amy MatherTechnology Librarian, Omaha Public Library

Manya ShorrBranch Manager, Omaha Public Library

What is a young professional?

Omaha Demographics

http://www.selectgreateromaha.com/Omaha/media/docs/Publications/Greater%20Omaha%20Demographic%20Profile.pdf

PEOPLE ARE MARRYING LATER IN LIFE.

MARRIAGE RATES FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR

MOTHER’S AGE WITH FIRST CHILD

18% OF 18-29 YEAR OLD ATTEND A RELIGIOUS SERVICE

EVERY WEEK.

MEMBERSHIP IN COMMUNITY GROUPS HAS DECLINED BY MORE THAN ONE-FOURTH

SINCE THE 1970S.

Twenge, Jean. Generation Me. New York: Free Press, 2006. pg. 24.

WHERE DO YOUNG ADULTS FIND COMMUNITY?

YOU SERVE KIDS, YOU SERVE TEENAGERS

AND YOU SERVE SENIORS.

DO YOU SERVE ADULTS?

NEARLY 1 IN 5 ADULTS NEVER HAVE CHILDREN.*

THEY ARE YOUR NEW UNDERSERVED POPULATION.

*http://www.roanoke.com/extra/wb/58164

Why don’t most of them use the library?

Would you use the library if you didn’t work there?

There are many reasons

• They buy their material.

• All library programming is for kids or seniors.

• They have no idea that we have resources that they might like.

• The library has no value in their lives.

What can you do?

Find the sweet spot!

How do you find them?

How we do it:

• Email blast. Are you still asking people to opt-in? Stop it!• Facebook and Twitter. Yep, they work.• Time and a little $.• Word of mouth/personal connections/staying involved with the

community. Involve yourself with local groups. • Direct mail solicitations. Be bold and ask.• Local media. If you plan a quirky and odd event, they will want to

cover it.• High turn-out numbers are great but don’t mean much. Slow and

steady.• One-night liquor license!

Most importantly,

You.

Must.

Try.