It's tough to think about leaving Illinois libraries because they're lucky enough to be supported by regional library systems that can provide services for which the libraries would otherwise have to pay or do without. I work at one such regional system, and we provide a lot of technology-related services and collaborative projects that would otherwise cost our members a lot of money (or when they do cost a lot of money, like our ListenIllinois group purchase of audio ebooks, it's THE best deal in the State on audio ebooks).

Although I worry about what the future might hold for my libraries in terms of these services, I also recognize that libraries in most other states don't even have these resources to begin with. Glenn Peterson realized this, too, but he's done something about it. He has started a really great serviced called Engaged Patrons that provides low- or no-cost solutions for a calendar of events, blog hosting, RSS feeds, database scripting, and feedback forms for library websites. Be sure to read the FAQ for more details.

I'm fascinated that Glenn calls the site "Engaged Patrons" because it feeds directly into what Stephen Abram and Alane Wilson talked about on Monday at "Patron Day." We often ask the wrong questions (making assumptions) and then aren't surprised when we get the answers we expected. The same theme emerged at OCLC's midwinter institute about library branding and marketing.

In a similar way, Glenn has focused marketing of the site on the patrons whom these services will engage, not the libraries who so desperately need the help. Instead of calling the site "Supporting Libraries" and letting it be lost in the dull, vague connotations we all would have with that phrase, he called it "Engaging Patrons," because that's really the point of the services.

It's an interesting lesson and a welcome service that I hope small (or really all) libraries hear about and take advantage of. Help spread the word, and then make sure you thank Glenn.

Thanks, Glenn!