Let's Go to the Mall
St. Charles City-County Library
Innovation Synopsis
How do you seamlessly provide essential library services to a growing community when two of your largest branches will be closed consecutively for more than a year? A temporary location in a nearby mall was the answer and it exceeded all initial expectations. This space was prime not only as a substitute location for our regulars but also provided a natural platform to promote library offerings to individuals who might not normally engage.
Challenge/Opportunity
As plans and timelines solidified around the renovations, we knew that having two branches consecutively closed for more than a year would go against our promise to our community. Finding an affordable, geographically friendly, and accessible location was essential but we also had to quickly develop a plan to furnish, brand, and staff this temporary branch.
Key Elements of Innovation
A challenge was finding shelving and other furnishings quickly. We were able to pull pieces from other branches for seating areas, workstations, display tables, and more. And though this location is only 5,038 square feet, we still needed to find low stand-alone shelving for more than 3,000 items and we needed it to arrive with less than six weeks’ notice. We got a lucky break when we found a neighboring library district that had shelving they would sell us. Within a few weeks, the necessary pieces came together.
We wanted this location to feel open and inviting as shoppers passed by. The low shelving, the bold exterior graphics, and the existing lighting and slat wall shelving maintained a retail feel. Visitors felt the fresh take while experiencing the familiarity of continuity of service, the vibrant brand represented throughout, and of course, our staff they look forward to seeing. The minimal investment included a short-term lease, shelving, & branded graphics.
Achieved Outcomes
Enclosed shopping centers across the region offer fewer and fewer retail options but what this one has offered is a built-in audience of mall walkers, stroller moms, and even a younger movie-going crowd. Storytimes have been the biggest hit sometimes welcoming more than 100 people at once. In the first full month open, the Mid Rivers Mall Branch welcomed more than 6,200 visitors and, in the first six months, served more than 30,000. Patrons have expressed their appreciation of this temporary location’s convenience and depth of services available including holds pickup, returns, public computers & WiFi, adult & youth programming, and printing & copying. Providing seamless service while nearby larger locations are being renovated was the primary goal. The bonus has been great media exposure and showcasing library services to a new audience, including 709 new cardholders.
