WSU News Archive

By Sue McMurray, College of Business

PULLMAN, Wash. – In a less than robust economy, libraries are becoming increasingly useful to middle-aged patrons who can’t afford personal computers and other resources besides books.

Whitman County Library recently partnered with a Washington State University undergraduate marketing research class – taught by marketing associate professor Jeff Joireman - to help WCL better understand the needs of its patrons aged 50 and over, the library’s fastest growing demographic.

"Unlike generations of the past that were ‘old’ by this age, today's midlife generation is young at heart and more technically minded,” said Kristie Kirkpatrick, director of Whitman County Rural Library District. "In today's economy, many of the 50+ generation often depend upon library computers, materials and even our programs as their entertainment.

 

"Our Meeting Midlife Needs Project aims to tell us what kinds of programs and services 50+ year olds want,” she said.

 

Four student teams in the WSU College of Business collected and analyzed data from focus groups as well as online, print and phone surveys. Using insights from the data, a fifth team collaborated with local businesses to bring activities to the library that will appeal to the target demographic.

 

Each team prepared a final report and made a presentation to representatives of the WCL, who will use the results to assess materials, services and programs for 50+ adults. Managers from all 14 WCL branches will engage in a plan for countywide implementation.

 

Additionally, WCL expects to teach others how to better serve the 50+ demographic at library conferences and workshops statewide.

 

"This project has been an excellent opportunity to link core marketing research course material to real-world marketing research,” said marketing major Arthur Clinton. "I feel the experience I gained working with Whitman County Libraries and Dr. Joireman is invaluable to my future marketing career.”

 

"I thought I was going into the project as a problem solver, to ‘fix’ the issue at hand. But the role of marketing researcher taught me that surprises are wanted,” said Gabrielle Lewis, a senior broadcasting major. "From this amazing experience, I gained a better perspective of the chosen target market and how to better communicate and serve it.”

 

"Working with the students has been a very positive experience,” said Kirkpatrick. "It is exciting to see the caliber of students participating in the program and the professionalism with which they've undertaken our project.

 

"I believe this real-life experience will provide them with so many positive benefits, both professionally and personally,” she said.

 

"I am always on the lookout for external clients who would like to partner with the class on a real-world marketing research project,” Joireman said. "It’s a win-win situation.”

Contacts:
Jeff Joireman, WSU Department of Marketing, 509-335-0191, joireman@wsu.edu
Sue McMurray, WSU College of Business, 509-335-7578, sue.mcmurray@wsu.edu 

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