Written by Kate Davis, PLLS Programming Coordinator
The Ink & Imagination passport program, a first-of-its-kind initiative for PLLS, ignited a spirit of adventure across southeastern Wisconsin, inspiring community members to explore the 22 libraries in the Prairie Lakes Library System and fueling over 4000 library visits!
The sheer volume of participation highlights a deep-seated love for public libraries. By the end of the three-month window, 830 drawing entry forms had been returned. Because each entry required a minimum of five library visits to qualify, the program accounted for at least 4,150 documented library visits.
However, this figure represents only the tip of the iceberg. Countless other patrons participated in the journey without reaching the five-visit threshold to earn drawing entries, meaning the actual impact on regional foot traffic was significantly higher.
What the data doesn’t show is the infectious enthusiasm that filled the libraries. Staff members reported seeing “passport selfies”, being asked to take photos for patrons, and stories from patrons who were eager to share what they had learned about the hidden gems of southeastern Wisconsin. “We loved seeing all the libraries!” read a comment on one entry form. Another said, “Please do this program again!”
The program also tapped into the “collector” spirit. The custom stickers provided at various locations became a breakout hit; in fact, the demand was so high that multiple libraries requested the original design files to continue printing them for other community initiatives.
Ink & Imagination served as PLLS’s first venture into large-scale mass marketing. While the primary goal was engagement rather than rigorous data analytics, the system gathered valuable informal data on how to effectively reach the modern patron.
The findings revealed a clear trend: the human element is king. Staff engagement and face-to-face recruitment were our most successful tools, followed closely by physical marketing. From internal library signage to yard signs and word-of-mouth, high visibility in the real world remains the most powerful way to connect with our patrons.
The success of Ink & Imagination has set a high bar for future regional programming. It demonstrated that when given a map and a reason to explore, the community will show up in droves to support their local institutions.
As PLLS looks toward future initiatives, one thing is certain: the spirit of discovery is alive and well in our libraries and communities.