Tara Breton posted this on Medlib-l and I thought it was a great idea to bring non-traditional potential library users into the library.

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For those who are during the Superbowl and may have people who are
interested in the score but are working as well: what a great time to
market the library!

You think I'm nuts, but our job is provide the information they want
WHEN they want it, right? Why not sports?

If you can get a television in the room, that's the best draw. If not,
a huge poster on the library door will be great. Leave the TV on the
game and place some comfy chairs around it. If you can get a low table
(make the place look like a living room), that's the best.
Put out bowls of salsa & chips; doesn't have to be expensive. It just has to BE
there. And napkins, maybe small paper plates. Add some crackers &
squirt cheese (won't get icky in the air) and you're in business.

No TV? Put a huge hunk of poster board on the door - like, the WHOLE
DOOR. Cover it up with logos: add the colors of the Eagles & Patriots
and have it read 1Q, 2Q, 3Q 4Q = Final. Then, during the game, KEEP
TRACK of the score by posting up the points by quarter. This will even
work for those with the TV, so people rushing by can glance at the score
and be updated. Got a radio? Keep that playing in the background.

Then, on Monday, on the same door: post up the pages from the paper:
pictures, the news clips, etc. regardless who wins. Suddenly, the
library is no longer a bunch of books & journals in a side room. It's
where everyone wants to be: see the news! Read the reports! Check out
the pictures!

And be sure to set up the door TODAY - so people there on Sunday will
KNOW about it. And if you are in a corner area, put up a sign
downstairs saying something like: To The Minute Superbowl
Scores...Sunday...Library

Now, how you choose to present the library during this time is up to
you. Maybe strategically place a few recent journals on the coffee
table next to the salsa dish. Perhaps an advertisement for a new
training course you are offering.

Maybe a colorful (but simple, bullet point only) handout of library
services hung on the same door as the scores (tape a manila folder on
the door) - but put ON THE TOP about the game - maybe a list of sports
web sites with news articles - and put a note about "other library
services offered include" and only list 5 (too many and they won't read
it). Give them a reason to take the paper - and give them a reason to
get back to you.

For those who may think I've lost my mind and am suggesting the
outrageous, please consider this: such services will never, ever replace
what we really do as professionals. There's a reason why we are
professionals. It will, however, get people's attention so that we can
get our "this is what we can do for you" message across to people.
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GREAT IDEA! We need to think out of the box when it comes to getting potential patrons in the library. The employees at a hospital are probably not thrilled to be workinging the weekend, and this is something that can brighten their day and let them know about the library. Ambulatory patients or their families can stop by and relax and do something different. So not only are you drawing potential new employee users, but you are also providing a patient service.

This doesn't have to end with the Superbowl. There is March Madness right around the corner. I know everybody has seen the medical students and residents filling in their Final Four brackets. Why not have a tv with the Final Four tournament on?! Have a big poster of the brackets and the results.

Is there an auditorium nearby at your hospital that can show movies? Have movie night sponsored by the library for patients, families, and employees.

What other creative ideas do you have to draw people in? Get the word out!