The decision to replace Wichita’s Central Library did not come easily for elected officials, nor for some residents. The effort involved a considerable amount of community education to create better awareness of the library’s services, resources and connections into the community. Replicating an event from an earlier library move paid homage to the library’s history and afforded residents a chance to say farewell to the Central Library and to participate in the celebration of the Advanced Learning Library’s opening.

The key elements of the innovation were simple: create an opportunity for anyone in the community to have a special part in the Advanced Learning Library’s opening and to use their involvement to advertise features and services of the new facility. Items passed hand-to-hand were carefully selected to highlight the variety of materials in the library’s collection as well as services and features of the new library that were not previously well known in the community.

The goal was to cover seven blocks between the two libraries in an event that would attract community attention. Nearly 1,000 people were part of the brigade; many attending in organized groups. Along the route, participants commented with appreciation (and surprise) about service advertisements attached to the materials. Numerous social media photos and videos were shared from the event. Just as people still talk about the Wichita’s first book brigade, this newer event will be well remembered for many decades.