Erick Olivares

The Library Foundation of Los Angeles strengthens the Los Angeles Public Library by funding free programs, resources, and services for millions. Through advocacy and innovation, it highlights the library's value and connects people to its resources. To inspire community engagement, we juggled a couple of different ideas to bring people together but ultimately created a video showcasing the joy of local libraries and how to get involved.

Is there a way to redefine member affiliation with LFLA that feels like they are still part of this mission-driven organization, clarifying what their support makes possible rather than what they get in return? To explore how member affiliation can better reflect a shared mission, we embarked on a journey of discovery—conducting interviews, online and field research, and engaging with the community to uncover challenges facing LFLA and the ALOUD program.

Through our interviews with subject matter experts, we uncovered a wealth of valuable insights that ultimately shaped our approach to addressing the challenges at hand. One of the key findings revealed that membership retention and affiliation were noticeably low, particularly following events. While attendees often felt engaged during the events, that enthusiasm frequently diminished once they returned home. This disconnect highlighted an opportunity to strengthen the connection between members and the Library Foundation’s mission beyond in-person experiences. Armed with this critical insight, we developed a strategic solution: a promotional video designed to inspire ongoing engagement.

Our solution emerged as a win-win opportunity: a series of short videos designed to strengthen connections within the LFLA community. These videos, presented at the beginning or end of events depending on the context, could feature interviews and testimonials from a diverse range of individuals—dedicated board members, long-standing attendees, enthusiastic participants, and others who value their connection to LFLA. This interview-driven promo series would not only highlight the personal stories of those involved but also underscore the vital role LFLA plays in fostering community. Shared during events and across social media, these videos would celebrate the organization’s impact and inspire others to engage.