Guess what we figured out? People of all ages appreciate free stuff (interesting, high-quality free stuff). Who knew?
The library’s youth summer reading programs have long been identified with favorite performers, activities, story times. Oh, and prizes, prizes, prizes.
Adults, we reasoned, didn’t require as much incentive to read.
We weren’t incorrect. We hear daily about our grownup customers’ impressive reading portfolios. However, they are busy people. Taking time to document preferences and list which library activities and databases they find relevant–that’s what demands recognition AKA prizes.
We now have really nice drawing prizes (two words: iPad Mini) for our Brain Food campaign for adult cardholders. Our Summer Readers’ Bonanza (which all grownups can enter, regardless of cardholder status) features an enviable drawing prize and several spontaneous giveaways each week through August 5.  Acquisition of these perks was achieved thanks to Friends of the Round Rock Public Library, the good fortune of collecting publicity items at Book Expo America, and the aid of publishers (a box of new giveaway donations, including Inferno, arrived from our Random House rep just yesterday. Thanks, Robert!).
We acknowledge the irony of this lesson. Who in Round Rock enjoys closer proximity to the latest books and articles on motivation? Even if we were tardy in making the adult reader-prize connection, we knew all along that this topic, particularly relating to the workplace, greatly interests local business owners, managers, and savvy employees.
A quick search of the library catalog with “motivation” or “employee motivation” yields so many titles that everyone will relate personally to one: The Power of Consistency: Prosperity Mindset Training…; The Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace; The Wisdom of Bees: What the Hive Can Teach Business about Leadership and Growth; The 20% Doctrine: How Tinkering, Goofing Off, and Breaking the Rules at Work Drive Success in Business; All In: How the Best Managers Create a Culture of Belief and Drive Big Results; and many more.
You can mine current articles about motivation from our online resources:Â Masterfile, Academic Search Complete, Business Source Complete, for starters.
I haven’t encountered a motivational trend yet that couldn’t claim merit to some degree. But these approaches are numerous and frequently contradictory.  No wonder commercial wall art illustrating easily-recalled nuggets of encouragement sells so briskly; adhering to a personal mantra enables one to assimilate the best of the best.
But why purchase a slogan when World Book Encyclopedia and popular culture already yield these gems?
- Oklahoma state motto: “Labor conquers all things.”
- North Carolina: “To be, rather than to seem.”
- For anyone whose work culture operates in a continual state of flux, consider Connecticut’s motto: “He who is transplanted still sustains.”
- Classic C&W song “The Gambler”: “You gotta know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em…”
- Bumper sticker for Longhorn Rentals: “Roll with us.”
Finally, from the theme song on the Crazy Heart soundtrack: “This ain’t no place for the weary kind. This ain’t no place to lose your mind…”
