Acoustic Showcase Series

About the Program

Category: Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

To combat the economic downturn, San Diego County provided a way for county members to enjoy inexpensive and fun activities. The Acoustic Showcase Series is a program hosting free concerts outside of local library branches in the County. This was established after the County Library Staff took notice of the large increase in library use for low-cost quality resources and entertainment. With this in mind, the Showcase allowed attendees to enjoy concerts while giving exposure to local musicians and leveraging partnerships to keep the program cost low for the County. A survey was distributed to library members who attended library programs to determine what type of programming they were interested in seeing at the library and music was the most common response. This catered to the needs of the local community. And because the concerts are held in the county, it provides county members with an alternative to commuting to the city for entertainment. Since the program’s inception in April 2010, over 4,250 customers have attended 94 concerts. Twenty-three library branches have hosted concerts and 54 performers/groups have been featured. There have been over 1,600 respond to an e-blast showing interest in attending future concerts. The Library Staff partnered with a host of organizations for a collaboration effort of the series. The Acoustic Showcase Series has saved the county $800,00 per year, gaining back the start-up cost in just five years. The program has been successful throughout the county with reaching a variety of clientele including children, youth and adults alike. In November, the Acoustic Series was contacted by Marjit, a Norwegian artist, to perform and San Diego County hosted the artists first ever performance. The program continues to provide free leisurely activities while continuing to uphold the goals of the library to inform, educate, inspire and entertain.