ROI for the special library user community

The Creating Passionate Users blog has an interesting post with tips to improve the return on investment for a software user community.  I decided to refocus these tips for the special library environment.  After reading them, I'm sure you'll find the concepts valuable enough to implement within your own library.

• Start an official user group.  Teach these users, in detail, about all of the products and services the library provides.  They in turn will encourage their colleagues to turn to the library's resources first for any research questions they may have.  Members can serve as a focus group for new products, services, or policies that the library is interested in implementing. Hold monthly meetings with these members and treat them to lunch. 
• Host a discussion forum for your users.  Either with face-to-face meetings, blogs, or wikis, create opportunities for your clients to contribute their valuable input.  Be aware of other unofficial forums where your users may be discussing problems with your library's products and services.
• Give away promotional gifts to your most active clients to reward them for their loyal use of your library.  When they set that swag on their desks, it'll be a great conversational piece that can help spread positive news about the library.