Community Engagement Librarian Allyson Eads (left) and William Adamec (right), Co-founder of Marietta Proper—the first business to join as a Perks Partner

By Katherine Zavala

For public libraries across the country seeking a new way to demonstrate tangible value and boost community engagement, the Cobb County Public Library (CCPL) offers a blueprint wrapped in a plastic card. The Perks Program grants cardholders a 10 percent discount at local businesses, successfully transitioning from a small pilot to an influential, county-wide movement by making the library card the ultimate local savings tool.

A Vision for Economic Connection and Community Strengthening

The CCPL Perks Program was created by Community Engagement Librarian Allyson Eads, who was inspired after seeing a panel about a similar program while attending the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services (ABOS) conference. Her vision was to strengthen the connection between the library and the local community by creating a mutually beneficial initiative.

The program's goals were clear: encourage new library card sign-ups, support local businesses, and foster a sense of community pride and engagement with the library system. Eads stated:

The Perks Program isn't just about a discount; it's about the library becoming an essential economic partner. By driving traffic to local shops and services, we are proving that the library card is one of the most valuable items a resident can carry, reinforcing our relevance every single day.

So far, the program has exceeded expectations with strong participation.

The initiative was made possible through a $2,000 grant from Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS). This funding was crucial for creating promotional materials, designing and printing decals for participating businesses, and producing swag for the program’s launch and ongoing visibility.

The process for a business to become a Perks Partner is straightforward:

Growth of Perks

The program kicked off in celebration of National Library Week 2025, starting small. Today, the Perks Program includes 30 participating businesses. While more than 500 patrons have officially opted in for statistical purposes, any patron with a valid library card can instantly use the discounts without opting in.

The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. Businesses appreciate the visibility and marketing support, while patrons are excited about receiving tangible benefits for their cards. The Perks Program was leveraged in a campaign during Library Card Sign-Up Month to boost new applications. The program has even received coverage in local media, including the Marietta Daily Journal and the Cobb Courier, further amplifying its reach. 

Eads and the CCPL team plan to continue expanding the program to include more local businesses throughout Cobb County, especially the ones already connected to their nearest library. The ultimate vision is to create a sustainable, community-wide network that reinforces the library's role as a community connector and supporter of local economic growth.

To learn more about Cobb County Public Library, go to https://www.cobbcounty.gov/library.

Pictured are the Perks Program decal and opt-in card that businesses get when joining as Perks Partners, shown here with the Cobb County Library Card.