Submitted by Whatcom County Library System
Less than half of Whatcom County households have library cards. To change this, the Whatcom County Library System just kicked-off the “Book Brain Challenge” campaign to get more local people signed up for WCLS cards during National Library Card Sign-Up Month in September.
To participate, people need to take a video of themselves doing something with a book balanced on their head—they can dance, cook, sing, unicycle, show off a hidden talent—the possibilities are endless. Participants then upload the video to theirFacebook page and/or Instagram and challenge three friends to do the same using the hashtags #BookBrainChallenge and #WCLSlibraries. If people don’t already have a library card, they’re encouraged to sign up for one at wcls.org.
“The Whatcom County Library System offers incredible resources—both print and digital—that enrich patrons’ lives and can save them hundreds of dollars every year,” said Christine Perkins, WCLS executive director. “Despite this, there’s still a large number of people in our community who don’t have library cards. We want to change this! Our #BookBrainChallenge offers an easy way for people to support the library, engage with their community, get more people signed up for library cards, and have fun while doing it.”
Over the last few months, WCLS has taken a new marketing approach with the “My Modern Library” campaign, aimed at promoting their digital services, such as eBooks, downloadable audiobooks, digital magazines, music streaming, free music downloads, online language tutorials, and even downloadable adult coloring books. Because of this campaign, WCLS has seen a huge uptick in digital service usage: music streaming and downloads are up 57%, digital magazine usage is up 50%, eBooks and audiobooks are up 14%, and online language tutorials have seen a whopping 447% increase.
Last March, WCLS also kicked-off online library card registration, making it easier than ever for people to sign up for cards (it only takes about two minutes!). So far, hundreds of people have signed up for library cards online. The #BookBrainChallenge builds off this modern approach by encouraging people to engage with the library in a new and digital way.
“We’re inviting everyone in the community—from business owners, to children, to local elected officials and beyond, to show their library support by participating in the #BookBrainChallenge,” Perkins said. “Ferndale Mayor Jon Mutchler has already posted his video and challenged other Whatcom County mayors to do the same. We can’t wait to see what talents people show off!”
