Case Study: London Public Library – Where Events Are A Smash Hit

 

Where Events Are A Smash Hit

Today’s libraries are about more than just trusted information; they are dynamic places that attract community members and the general public inside their doors.

As Kathryn Baldock, Supervisor of Lending Services at London Public Library, states, “Programs are a core delivery stream, right up there with books. To promote them and make them accessible is good for us and the public. It’s an experience the community wants to keep coming back to.”

Each year, LPL staff manage and publicize over 500 programs. From Books for Babies to the Francophone Seniors Group, as well as other essential library programs such as literacy, author readings, and education courses, many LPL offerings are common to libraries worldwide. Additionally, LPL is home to the 360-seat Wolf Performance Hall where the library hosts special events.


“Programs are a core delivery stream right up there with books. To promote them
and make them accessible is good for us and the public.»
—Kathryn Baldock, Supervisor of Lending Services


One recent program at Wolf Hall, Murder City, featured Dr. Michael Arntfield, who is a leading Canadian authority on cold case murders and serial homicide.

Eeva Stierwalt, whose role is Integrated Library System Solutions Specialist, reports that the lecture was a huge success:  “We’ve never had a program this size with registration and a price per seat, AND we SOLD OUT!  Everything worked smoothly, and we had 100 registrations in the first hour.” Many patrons registered for the program through Encore using program registration capabilities of Sierra, and payment was accepted via integrated eCommerce.

LPL continues to offer a busy schedule of events for the community. Check out the LPL website to see what programs the library will deliver next: http://www.londonpubliclibrary.ca/programs.