Word Of Mouth

Which of the ancients decried the introduction of writing because it meant people would be relieved of the mental discipline of memorizing and remembering everything important? Now we are bombarded with ever increasing, ever louder, ever flashier attempts to grab our attention long enough to impart some message.

I've heard that we need to hear something "x" times to have it truly penetrate our conscious.

In the library arena, this issue surfaces when new services or service changes come about. But it also is true of keeping people informed of "routine" services. Public libraries that are serious about serving the community that support them have to keep telling people about those services.

Lend cake pans? Proctor tests for distance education? Distribute state and federal income tax forms? Provide wireless internet access? Have a working typewriter for public use? And what about open hours? (hint -- www.yorklib.org can answer some of these questions )