We knew some staff were hesitant to try our online resources. By turning the day into a spy adventure we hoped to ease their concerns and introduce one of the databases. Each group had to design a library or museum based on neighborhood demographics using Business Decisions as a resource. They were instructed to consider questions such as size of building and interior design, collections, programming and technology, and to be creative and have fun.

We divided everyone into groups and used a name generator to give everyone a spy name. One spy was sent to retrieve a book and told not to open it. Inside the book was a hidden origami box and inside the box was a clue to their mission. Using Business Decision our spies had to learn about their assigned community and pertinent trends, issues and needs and design a library or museum to meet those requirements.

We hoped to introduce an online resource to our staff and have some fun. The outcome was far more positive than we anticipated and the level of engagement was unexpected. Staff members who had shown no interest in learning about online resources were now actively participating. Other staff members who had been reticent before were now actively engaged in the planning process. Everyone on the Staff Engagement Planning Committee was pleasantly surprised by their participation.