Business Lessons from the Library

The library is one of my favorite places to work. It’s rarely quiet but has nice desks, free wi-fi, people, and loads of knowledge. I feel inspired and focused when I’m there. I guess I also look around a lot, as I found myself observing the library workings. That humble place can teach us small business owners a thing or two.

Go the extra step
There is a library employee walking around the shelves, rescuing abandoned books and straightening up the books within their stacks. This, of course, is not necessary. People will still come in search of knowledge, whether or not the spines of the books are flush with the shelf. But why not make it a little easier for people to find what they’re looking for? Make the place feel a bit more comfortable and welcoming?

Think of this in terms of your website, or your customer service system. We can all put out the minimum to suffice, but we can also put out something better with a bit more effort.

Have a system, but be flexible
The Dewy Decimal system – brilliant. From its humble beginnings at Amherst College, Massachusetts, in 1876, the system is now used in over 135 countries. It turns out the system has gone through 22 major revisions since then, integrating new categories such as photography (770) and paranormal phenomena (130). The libraries themselves also updated their system by creating a digital card catalog and book tracking system.

Jennifer Shaheen at Entrepreneur.com recently highlighted the need to build a flexible website that will grow with your business. Same goes for your business plan, marketing plan, business model…

Give your knowledge freely
Without any money or identification, you can sit in the library and enjoy all the knowledge it offers. For a few minutes and a few key strokes, you can sign up for a library card and check out books for free. The library asks for your information so they know where to find you should you never return the book – they do not ask for your info to add to their email newsletter or to spam you.

We cannot give away all our products for free, or that would not be business. But we can find a comfortable balance between tight-lipped and sinking ships. When you offer profound expertise (meaning, profound content), people will keep coming back to you – no need to force the issue.

There is not enough time to read everything
Just in the fiction section alone, the choices are overwhelming and my “to-read” list gets longer each week. But there is no time to lament over what has not been read. Either pick the top choices, or become a full-time reader.

Sound familiar? It’s the blogosphere, and it’s even more conveniently located than the library. There are many, many great ones to read (ahem… why, thank you!) but unless you want to trade in your business for reading, you have to bypass some and stick with the ones that resonate with you.


See you at the library. You'll find me in section 780.