With all of the new technology, gadgets, and media that we’ve encountered so far in this class, it’s been hard to wrap my head around one single idea and run with it.   I liked reading Tribes because it really made me think about the different tribes that libraries are leading.  And then yesterday, my topic came to me in the form as a newspaper article in our small-town newspaper.  There was an article about a local library being one of a handful of libraries across the U.S. that has dropped Dewey.  And the reason they did it?  Because they studied their users and realized that an easier way to browse and/or find materials was what they wanted.  If that isn’t listening and embracing your tribe, I don’t know what is.

I’ve decided to write about the library as a physical space for my paper.  I want to be able to research what libraries are offering their users once they walk in the door that are meeting and exceeding needs.  I want to show that it’s not just the large city libraries that can make change, but also smaller ones, whether it’s offering book vending machines, coffee shops, or teen gaming rooms.  I also want to highlight studies or special tools that libraries can use to find out what their users are looking for.  Afterall, communicating change is essential to leading your tribe.