LaunchPad - INW

Spokane Regional Networking, Social Media, Professional and Business Development

In the David vs. Goliath struggle, are you a fan or a partner?

Everyone loves an underdog because it's so much easier to root for the little guy. Being a fan of the little guy is a win-win proposition: if the underfunded, scrappy team loses it can easily be chalked up to existential forces beyond their control. Conversely, if the little guy wins then it's suddenly a tale of heroics and the conquering of incredible odds -- you know, the sort of thing they make movies out of.

Pop quiz: in the information world, who is Goliath in the following scenario? The Spokane Public Library or Google?

Hint: Everything that Google has access to, your public library also has access to. But the reverse isn't true. Yes, that's right. As hard as it is to imagine, your Spokane Public Library is bigger than Google. We are Goliath. We have top-shelf information that Google can't reach.

This twist on the conventional perception of the information world poses a slightly different scenario: leaving aside the strict Biblical interpretation for now, would you rather be a fan of David or a partner of Goliath?

I'd go with the odds and pick Goliath every time.

So enjoy rooting for anemic, geeky little ol' Google but when it comes time to have some muscle on your side get in touch with the Spokane Public Library. We are shockingly strong.

Tags: Spokane Public Library

3 members like this

Comment by Mark Pond on March 15, 2012 at 9:36am: Just to give you a flavor of the library muscle I'm talking about, here are a couple other posts that I've put up regarding access to the world of information through the public library:

http://www.launchpadinw.com/profiles/blogs/the-wall-street-journal-...

http://www.launchpadinw.com/profiles/blogs/big-guns-for-sales-leads

Comment by Cindy Vanhoff on March 16, 2012 at 9:01am: I am amazed at the information that is available through the public library. It truly outdoes Google! Do you have enough info to do a class with several scenarios a business owner might use to find information through the library?

Comment by Mark Pond on March 16, 2012 at 10:29am: Hey Cindy!

Do I have enough content to do a class? You bet -- we've got content in spades! Along those lines I just contacted Bill (of the Kalivas variety) this morning about setting up a series of LaunchPad classes that would expose the local business community to the business resources available via the library. Stay tuned!

Comment by Jennifer Evans on March 21, 2012 at 12:07pm: This is an outstanding post! I'm glad you shared it. I've suggested that our sales team make a trip out to see you. Maybe we can set up a time for them to come as a group? Let me know how we could make that work.

Thanks, Mark!

Comment by Mark Pond on March 21, 2012 at 1:50pm: Thanks, Jennifer!

While I'm always happy to play host I'm equally happy to take my show on the road and come to you. I'll send you a message later this afternoon and we can get something on the calendar.

Comment by Mark Pond on May 6, 2012 at 10:43pm: Cindy,

The first library resources class is now on the calendar and you can find it here: http://www.launchpadinw.com/events/make-20-555-per-hour-at-launchpad

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