Turning the Page Beyond Traditional Service Offerings with Kristen Sorth of St. Louis County Library

But Who's Counting?

To find success in business, you have to first figure out what your target market wants and respond to it. As society and the technology we depend on changes at breakneck speed, it can be challenging for traditional businesses to keep pace. Breathing new life into a service as timeless and constant as the library takes innovation, grit and the support of the surrounding community to pull off.

Advancing technology had the potential to make libraries obsolete, but instead brilliant leadership took advantage of new tech to reinvigorate a beloved neighborhood staple. The St. Louis County Library (SLCL) began a revitalization project to strengthen its ties to the community and keep it relevant in their eyes.

Kristen Sorth, director and CEO of SLCL, joined But Who’s Counting? hosts Dave Hartley and Missy Kelley to discuss the innovative approaches SLCL took to keep libraries on the cutting edge rather than a relic from a different time. Kristen, the recipient of the Visionary Award by St. Louis Magazine, explained how the library earned a seat at the community’s table and why she adapted libraries to meet social needs. The discussion also touched on:

• The innovative programs and partnerships that are having an enormous impact on the community
• What role technology has played in revitalizing the library
• The library’s role in advancing digital equity initiatives
• How they “stood standing” during a crisis and what that meant for the public
• A unique role the library hired and the difference it’s made for staff

“Make sure that innovation means something to someone other than you. If you spend all your time innovating something that is going to have zero impact on people, then you have wasted a ton of time and money.” – Kristen Sorth

Resources to Count On

Want more insight into the conversation? Check out these resources:

• Visit the SLCL website
• Find out more about the Tap In Center
• Learn about the Small Business Center located in the Clark Family Branch
• Keep up with all the upcoming events hosted by the library

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Chapters

1. Innovative Leadership at St. Louis Library (00:00:00)

2. Expanding Library Services for Community (00:12:33)

3. Library's Shift to Business Services (00:27:31)