My Library: Celebrate the County Public LibraryPublic libraries play a vital role in the lives of many Americans, from early education to senior services. A majority of Americans believe their local library improves their community (94%), and an equally significant number (65%) have visited at least once in the past year (American Library Association, 2010). Connecticut residents are no exception. As of 2007, Connecticut has 195 public libraries with circulation of approximately 15.5 million books and enjoys the third highest rate of library visits per capita in the nation, with 6.5 visits per capita (National Center for Education Statistics, 2009). The West Hartford Public Library exceeds the state average, with approximately 10.5 library visits per capita and circulation of nearly 1 million books, a significant portion of the state's total circulation (National Center for Education Statistics, 2009). As the birthplace of Noah Webster and just a few miles away from the former homes of Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe, West Hartford has a rich literary history that continues today. American libraries have taken financial hits in recent years (American Library Association, 2010 ), with Connecticut libraries reporting a 15-year low operating income in 2010 (CT Library Community); however, in the current state of the nation, public libraries are experiencing a resurgence in popularity, as recession-hit individuals flock to public libraries (Rooney-Brown, 2009). Residents of communities across the country are taking advantage of free services offered by public libraries, such as DVD rentals, computer use, social groups, workshops, conferences, and countless other benefits (Rooney-Brown, 2009). half of the document ......ion Statistics, 2009). If residents were aware of the many services offered by the library, they would presumably visit WHPL more frequently. The main tactic of the campaign will be to use each service as an argument for visiting the library. The campaign will feature a significant number of topics and, in turn, increase the credibility of My Library. The services presented can range from free Internet and computer use to free mediation sessions. The diversity of services, beyond the sheer number of services, will provide a strong argument, as each service offers a unique benefit to library users. Equally important, the act of visiting the library requires a strong degree of motivation and commitment. Research shows that several robust arguments significantly increase the potency of a message if the recipient is highly engaged (Petty &