"I mean growing up in the 1980s, Geek - we know what geek was," Miser recalled. "But for someone to say - hey, that word can be hip - there's something very cool about that. The faces, the way the posters are done. And I think it's cool to lots of different people and that's what you want to do you want to hit everybody."

OCLC officials agree. When the posters were displayed at libraries in southern Georgia and Iowa last year, public recognition of the campaign far surpassed expectations.

At the public library in Rutland, administrators were so impressed with the free campaign they personalized it and incorporated photos of well known local residents. Malaina Elliott stopped at the front desk to check out a book and glances at one of the posters, a school official who geeks penguins.

"It gets your attention - you're like, 'Geek what? I'm sorry, excuse me?' It's really neat I think it's great the library is pushing so hard to get people back," said Elliott.

Library Director Paula Baker hopes the added attention will generate more action from voters and more letters to local officials saying:

"We need more hours from that library," said Baker. "We need more children's programs from our library and we want you to do something about it.