BiblioCommons Announces Data Initiative to Measure Pawtron Engagement

‍Toronto, Ontario, April 1, 2024 — BiblioCommons is delighted to announce a new data model and dashboard to measure and increase pawtron engagement across public libraries.

The new data model and dashboard will provide a mechanism for measuring and building on past successes in encouraging dogs, cats, and other pets to engage in library activities and encourage reading across communities.  

Although cats and dogs have long been beloved and appreciated by the library community, during the pandemic, it was clear that pets are highly invested in library strategy and planning reading-related programming. This investment was evidenced by their eager attendance and active participation in virtual meetings starting in 2020 and continuing to present-day. BiblioCommons wants to encourage this participation, and give libraries tools to strengthen and grow engagement across pawtron communities.  

“Dogs, cats, and other pets play such a huge role in our lives and in helping to promote reading throughout our communities,” shared Erica Reynolds, VP for Customer Success. “Through read-to-a-dog programs, cat-themed book memes, and just being present while we enjoy titles checked out from the library or suggested by our local librarians, our furry friends play a significant role in encouraging reading and building community. It’s important that we start to measure that impact so that we can continue to build and grow pawtron engagement across all communities.”

 “My humans are on the move too much,” said Simba, a furry family member of Nina Coutinho, Director of Product at BiblioCommons. “I encourage them to sit down and read more—which is good for them and good for me. I have found that I receive 285% more head scratches when Nina is reading beside me than when Nina is engaged in other activities that don’t involve reading.”  

Kaite Stover, Director of Reader's Services at Kansas City Public Library shared this quote from her cat, Pearl, "I’m less concerned with Kaite’s movement around the house on work-from-home days. What I like are the many stacks of books on tables, chairs, and the floor! They provide an excellent jumping obstacle course. It’s not so great when they fall and bury my fuzzy mouse toys— it takes mom forever to restack all the books."

Pets, like libraries, are here for us all. In polarizing times, pets bring us together and create common bonds, and BiblioCommons is proud to be the first vendor to take the lead on measuring and increasing pawtron engagement across library communities.

Library staff who are curious about how their library can take advantage of this new pet-focused data initiative and are interested in picking up some jaunty apparel for their beloved pets are encouraged to visit the BiblioCommons booth #2231 at the Public Library Association conference.

(Credit to Kent District Library for the idea to provide library apparel for pets and featuring their community’s pets in their annual calendar. The team at BiblioCommons is so grateful to work with so many fantastic, creative, and pet-loving libraries!)

About BiblioCommons  

BiblioCommons builds software that transforms the public library's essential online services — catalog, mobile app, website, events calendar, and email marketing — from transactions to experiences worthy of the public library. BiblioCommons powers integrated online experiences for many of the top public libraries of all sizes across the United States and Canada.  

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For more information, please contact:  
Eliana Franco, Marketing Director  
Eliana.Franco@BiblioCommons.com  

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