Illinois - Marketing

RE: Branding your library and library services

2008-11-07T20:05:13Z

Thanks for a great webinar, Michael!

Branding your library and library services

2008-11-04T17:46:36Z

Join us for a webinar on library branding on Friday, November 7, 2008. Join the post-webinar discussion here and share your ideas and best practices for branding your library and library services.

RE: National Library Week

2008-10-09T01:46:45Z

Plan ahead for 2009 and apply for a grant for your National Library Week efforts. Here's the press release. The deadline has been extended to Friday, November 14, 2008

"U.S. libraries of all types are invited to apply for a $3,000 grant that will be awarded to the best public awareness campaign that promotes the theme “World’s connect @ your library” during National Library Week (April 12-18, 2009)."

National Library Week

2008-04-11T23:10:13Z

I just posted to BlogJunction about the 2008 National Library Week running April 13-19.

This year's event is the 50th Anniversary! As probably obvious to those who read the blog post, I'm especially taken with the AL Focus promotional videos.

I'm guessing however, the star attractions of the week will prove to be your own events. Please share your plans and thoughts for the week here. In the long term we just might end up with a list of activities we can all harvest for future National Library Weeks.

To get things started, here are a few of the resources I mentioned in the blog:

Individual days/events:

* Monday: Submit your library star nominee
* Tuesday: National Library Workers Day
* Thursday: YALSA Support Teen Literature Day
* Friday: Library Gaming Day (Gaming @ Your Library)

A smattering of resources to help you plan your events (but be sure to add your links to the thread):

* ALA National Library Week Fact Sheet (and don't forget the Julie Andrews promos)
* Who needs the Public Library video via WebJunction
* Lesson Plans, Projects and Resources from Education World
* Library Week Activity Page at I Love Libraries
* Library Postal Art History
* Chicagoist Blog Celebrates Libraries
* Special Library Celebration Ideas from WJ-Illinois
* National Library Week South Africa from "It's All Good"
* Inspirational ideas for children

Share your ideas!

Re: Libraries and Economic Development?

2008-06-25T14:48:23Z

Perhaps try the Urban Libraries Council's "Making Cities Stronger" report at
http://www.urbanlibraries.org/jan1006makingcitiesstronger.html

The Colorado Library Research Service (www.lrs.org) has an entire page devoted to Library Return on Investment (ROI) with many good links.

Re: Libraries and Economic Development?

2008-06-25T13:35:44Z

Just a quick note, I didn't have time to look at all the sites that were recommended, but Pennsylvania recently had a return on Investment study done for public libraries

http://www.statelibrary.state.pa.us/libraries/lib/libraries/PAROIreportFINAL7.pdf

Also, Florida and I believe South Carolina have had recent studies done as well.

Hope this is helpful!

Joe

Re: Libraries and Economic Development?

2008-06-25T02:14:24Z

Bob, you're incredible. You're like....like....

A LIBRARIAN! ;-)

Re: Libraries and Economic Development?

2008-06-25T01:19:52Z

Some articles/blogs:

http://scanblog.blogspot.com/2005/05/economic-value-of-libraries.html

http://stephenslighthouse.sirsidynix.com/archives/2006/05/value_of_librar.html

http://www.imakenews.com/sirsi/e_article000396335.cfm?x=b4TcM1g,b2rpmkgK,w (lots of links here!)

http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla71/papers/119e-Aabo.pdf

http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/research/value.asp

http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6444813.html

http://9libraries.info/docs/EconomicBenefitsStudy.pdf

Libraries and Economic Development?

2008-06-25T01:04:56Z

This question came in via [url http://blog.webjunctionworks.org/index.php/2008/04/17/blogjunction-comments-no-registration-required/] BlogJunction[/url] and seemed like a fitting topic for both this forum and for [url http://www.webjunction.org/forums/thread.jspa?threadID=7513]Question of the Week[/url] status.

RoseAleta asked:
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<i>Im trying to find a quote to use for a City Council presentation about how libraries contribute to economic development. It seems Ive read this any number of times that businesses and homebuyers look for quality of life as much as job income, etc. in making a decision to re-locate.</i>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Anyone with tips or information? Please respond here in this thread.

Re: National Library Legislative Day

2008-05-16T17:01:08Z

One of our state legislators gave us the same advice, so we now mostly skip the "Legislative Day in Springfield" bus trip.

We invite them to a summer-time barbecue instead and the library board appoints one of its members as a "legislative liaison."

Re: National Library Legislative Day

2008-05-14T20:35:13Z

That's a really good point. I've heard this from politicians (and not just in a library context) that one powerful thing citizens can do is to establish some kind of relationship with elected officials _before_ you actually go pound on them for something ;-)

Message was edited by:
timking

Re: National Library Legislative Day

2008-05-12T18:29:40Z

We've got a trustee there right now.

One shouldn't forget, however, to make sure you contact your legislators at home and establish a dialog. Catching someone in DC is nice, but it's a one time thing.

Re: National Library Legislative Day

2008-05-12T17:25:37Z

I think I've already posted this somewhere else, but here's a message from FOLUSA about their Virtual March on Washington:

FOLUSAs 6th Annual Virtual March on Washington May 12-16, 2008
Since 2003 FOLUSA has annually sponsored a Virtual March on Washington in conjunction with National Library Legislative Day. Now in our 6th year, FOLUSA welcomes the Association for Library Trutees and Advocates (ALTA) as a co-sponsor.

Every spring the American Library Association sponsors Library Legislative Day in Washington, DC -- a time for librarians and library advocates to learn more about the issues facing libraries and to visit their Congressional delegations to talk about their concerns. On this day, hundreds of librarians (and a handful of Friends and Trustees) will make their way to Washington D.C. to visit with their senators and representatives to discuss library issues.

Ok, so the trip to Washington isnt in your budget? No problem! FOLUSA sponsors a virtual trip to Washington to expand the reach and impact of National Library Legislative Day. As important as it is for librarians to go to Washington, it is equally important for those who cannot go to make their voices heard - even if virtually. Making advocacy an ongoing effort in your community is key to longterm support of libraries.

New this year! Download a reproducible flyer and bookmarks featuring a quote from Paula Poundstone to copy and distribute in your community to promote the Virtual March. Both are attached and can also be found at:

http://www.folusa.org/advocacy/virtual-march.php

Here you'll also find information about a new $250 award to one Friends group in recognition of promoting the Virtual March.

Beth Nawalinski
Marketing & Public Relations Coordinator
Friends of Libraries U.S.A.

National Library Legislative Day

2008-05-02T20:56:57Z

On May 13 & 14, join your fellow "library lovers" and participate in advocacy and issue training sessions. Interact with Capitol Hill insiders while you lobby Congressional member offices to pass library-supporting legislation. Read how to [url http://blog.webjunctionworks.org/index.php/2008/04/17/library-legislative-day-what-to-know-before-you-participate/]prepare[/url] and
share your experiences, tips, and other information about Library Legislative Day happenings.

Advocacy Training & the Opportunity Online Hardware Initiative

2008-05-02T16:02:24Z

As part of the Opportunity Online Grant hardware initiative, I participated in PLAs excellent Advocacy training. If the occasion presents itself, dont hesitate to take this training. It truly is worthwhile.
Upon reflecting about the information I gained, I started thinking about the factors involved in strengthening a librarys advocacy base. Among my thoughts was a random twinge regarding those patrons who have little or no clout.
With all the marvelous ideas/techniques provided regarding visible/high impact programs (that can be shared with potential supporters),an unintended consequence might be diminished attention towards the often-high cost (financial and time) of less mainstream and special needs patrons. The scarcity/shrinking financial resource available to public libraries will only exacerbate this problem.
Mary Ann

Re: Advocacy @ Your Library

2007-11-15T13:33:27Z

CHICAGO Looking to improve your advocacy skills? Want to meet fellow library supporters from across the country? Get the tools to become an effective library advocate by attending the Advocacy Institute, which will be coming to the American Library Associations (ALA) 2008 Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia, on Friday, January 11, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The Advocacy Institute will cover core advocacy skills, including message development and coalition building during the morning session. In the afternoon, following a collaborative luncheon with the Young Adult Library Service Association (YALSA), specialized breakout sessions will focus on making effective budget presentations, crisis communications, and passing bond issues/referenda. Attendees will leave with an action plan that they can implement in their communities or campuses. Advance online registration is $50 for members and non-members alike. Price includes lunch. To register, visit <a href="www.ala.org/midwinter">www.ala.org/midwinter</a>.

The Advocacy Institute is coordinated by the Office for Library Advocacy and the Advocacy Institute Task Force of the ALA Public Awareness Committee; in cooperation with the ALA Public Information Office (PIO), the Association for Library Trustees and Advocates (ALTA), the Chapter Relations Committee, the Committee on Legislation, and Friends of Libraries USA (FOLUSA). For more information, visit <a href="www.ala.org/advocacyinstitute">www.ala.org/advocacyinstitute</a>.

Thanks!
Max

Re: How do I make our blog more visible on the web?

2007-09-25T23:16:54Z

Here's one list: http://www.libdex.com/weblogs.html

Re: How do I make our blog more visible on the web?

2007-09-25T18:49:42Z

Thank you very much for the suggestion. I was wondering if anyone knew of a directory or a list of library blogs? If not, are there any suggestions as to how to get one started?

Re: How do I make our blog more visible on the web?

2007-09-25T17:32:25Z

This may have already been discussed, but one of the ways to get attention to your blog is to simply be a good "citizen" on the web - with your attention to other blogs.

One of the things I've found that makes WebJunction's (and my own) blogs more visible and showing increased traffic is taking the time to be visible and present on other people's blogs. When I comment on another's blog with a link back to our blogs, it raises awareness. When I post a link to someone else's blog in the body of a post, it draws the attention of those blog authors to our blogs as well.

Being there and participating in the rest of the "biblioblogosphere" will likely bring some new attention to your blog as well!

Re: How do I make our blog more visible on the web?

2007-09-25T00:09:43Z

Hi Anitra,

It's hard work, isn't it? I was with the Washington State Library while they were trying to get [url http://wastatelib.wordpress.com/]their blog[/url] going and it definitely takes persistence!

I think it's important to remember that are at least two primary audiences (you might come up with more) and each one requires slightly different tactics. As you mentioned, you want to reach your local community - those who are already regularly online and accustomed to using blogs and those who might be new to blogs. Another group is the library blogging community, in order to build the comradery you spoke of.

It sounds like you are on the right track for getting the word out to your local community. Remember that it takes time to get a regular "blog following". Be sure to send out those press releases any time you have an event at your library where you are updating content (and uploading pictures) on your blog. Does your library send out a newsletter to Friends of the Library? You can include links to the blog with your new content. You can also put the URL to your blog in your email signature line - anyone that contacts you will be reminded.

Your next step is to get the word out to all the online communities. You can certainly start here on WJ - we have an [url /forums/forum.jspa?forumID=120]Emerging Technologies forum[/url] where you can alert our community to your blog, talk about troubles, best practices, new tips, etc. I also recommend linking to other blogs on your site and getting yourself set up with a [url http://del.icio.us/]del.icio.us[/url] account and even a [url http://www.librarything.com/]Library Thing[/url] account. You want to think about where those online communities already live and reach out to them.

Here's a couple places you can find more information about getting the word out. I always recommend Meredith Farkas' [url http://www.sociallibraries.com/course/]Five Weeks to a Social Library[/url]. It's a great way to make sure you are covering all the basics - and then some! Also, I just found this article on [url http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2006/04/the_120_day_won.html]How to Evangelize a Blog[/url] - I thought tips 4-7 were very helpful.

I hope this helps! Please keep us posted on your progress!

Zola Maddison
WebJunction