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NB: No, I'm not ignoring the biggest piece of bookland news from this week. But ABA's lawyers have weighed in, and due to my disinclination to tempt the wrath of the whatever from high atop the thing, Omnibus will not be discussing it.
Instead, a totally different topic: what bookstores and public radio have in common.
National Public Radio is doing some pretty amazing stuff. It's being discussed as the template for a successful news model for the future. Why? Because they're successfully connecting readers directly to their stories:
And that's all great for NPR. But for the past 30-some years, it's been public radio stations around the country that have delivered NPR's content -- along with their own -- to listeners. And now that listeners and NPR are able to connect without the stations, there's some concern about where WXY-this and KSJ-that fit in.
For some people, the answer is nowhere:
Just like bookstores, public radio is never going to satisfy everyone. There will always be people who want to minimize human interaction, and no amount of enthusiasm about community or serendipity is going to change their minds.
But for plenty of people, that's exactly what it takes to build that connection -- or, as Ken said, the relationship. And you know how we're always talking about how bookstores need to become community centers in order to maintain and expand our customer bases? That's exactly what public radio stations are doing.
There are three that I'm well acquainted with:
- WNYC: Invites the public, especially local artists, into the performance/gallery space on the ground floor of its new studio. Hosts singles nights (Who do public radio fans want to date? Other public radio fans!) and get-togethers.
- WBUR: Brings listeners into the offices and studios for frequent tweet-ups, and gives enthusiastic particpants a chance to shape the station's programming (and to see where the Car Talk guys hang out).
- WSHU: Although it's not an urban station like the other two, the station uses the facilities of its host campus to hold a series of readings and lectures it calls "Join the Conversation." Maybe they're just good at faking it, but it's great to say hello to staff at these events and have them remember my name - and while I donate to my local station, it's barely enough for a tote bag.
Posted at 05:46PM Apr 17, 2009 by Sarah Rettger in General |
