Library Hosts "Card Crawl"

As seen in the WVLS (Wisconsin Valley Library Service November 2023 Newsletter

We know that pubs host “pub crawls,” but what about Card Crawls?

In this guest edition of the WVLS Newsletter, Mike Paulus, Digital Services & Marketing Specialist at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire, talks about “Card Crawl 2023” held in September. 
 

How did you get the idea to host this event?
A lot of things came together for our Card Crawl event. We’ve had cardholder appreciation days during Library Card Sign-Up Month in the past, but this was the first one we’ve held post pandemic. In past years, the library used to have a prize drawing and offer patrons free candy if they showed their library card. This year, we went way bigger.

Our building recently underwent an $18.5M renovation, and we’d just moved back in and reopened the doors in October of 2022. One thing the renovation added was all these new outdoor spaces—a plaza, a makerspace courtyard, a third floor terrace, etc. Since people really hadn’t had time to explore the new spaces, this spring we had an “Outdoor Open House” with free ice cream (donated) and special activities in all the outdoor areas. 

This fall, we decided to upgrade the cardholder appreciation day using the Outdoor Open House’s basic concept of having activities and giveaways all over the library. It was great for us because many locals still hadn’t seen everything the new building had to offer. The idea of showing your library card to get free stuff (and have fun) was a no-brainer, and it led to the “Card Crawl” name. The event was held on Saturday, September 30 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Patrons were encouraged to bring in their library cards, or get a new one, and explore the building to unlock loads of library fun. There were fun freebies all over the building, a big book sale, free frozen custard from Culver’s, cool craft activities, a grand prize drawing, and more. 

Why did you think it was important to do this event? 
Showing appreciation for current cardholders and making new ones was the most important part, and we wanted people to be proud of having a library card. We also wanted people to explore the new building more fully, so the freebie stations people had to “crawl” to were by all these newer and often overlooked amenities.

 The Card Crawl brought all library   departments together. Our planning   committee was made up of people   from most departments, each   handling the tasks that highlighted   their areas. We worked very closely   with our amazing Friends of the   Library. They’re normally a more   independent entity, but we relied on   each other’s strengths to make it all   work. Everyone was working   together and excited about the same thing. 

Furthermore, we strengthened some community partnerships that day. Our city’s transit organization lobbied to their board to get free bus rides all over the city with a library card. City Transit was pleased with the results and attention they received.  Culver’s got a bunch of love from our customers, and our local nature conservatory had a huge turnout for its activities.

What was the turn out? 
Turnout was great, with approximately 1,800 people, which is three times our normal Saturday attendance. 

How many new library cards were given out? 
We signed up 77 new cardholders and renewed, updated, or replaced about 134 cards. That’s normally what we do in a whole week.

What was the most popular part of the crawl? 
It’s hard to beat free ice cream! Culver’s served 630 scoops of frozen custard over four hours. Also, I and a fantastic staffer from our Youth Services Department (who I happen to be married to) got to be “Card Crawlers.” Kids LOVED spotting us and showing us their library cards for additional prizes.

What would the library do differently if you did this again? 
Next year, we’ll need to plan on some extra staff. Most of our freebie stations were staffed by volunteers (teen and Friends of the Library), but some staff pulled double duty as prize people on top of their normal duties. That is too much when there are that many people in the building, plus events to set up.  Also, we’re located downtown, and we’d started talking to our downtown organizations about having nearby businesses offer deals and discounts to cardholders that day, but we didn’t have time to get that up and running. We’d really like the Card Crawl to expand beyond the library so the public can see people busting out their library cards and having fun.

One cool thing is that we’re lucky enough to have a great Library Board and some big supporters on our City Council. We invited those people to come volunteer at the Card Crawl and to just be a part of the day. 
 

For more information, contact Mike Paulus at mikep@eauclaire.lib.wi.us.