Seemingly, the demise of the library--or at least its irrelevance--is on the horizon. According to Technological Change, Universal Access, and the End of the Library at : http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3858/is_200303/ai_n9223911)
Libraries have to find ways to attract new patrons, keep the faithful ones, and continue to remain relevant in the digital world. There is an even greater need today for information than ever before, so it's critical for libraries to be advertising what they have. There is much to brag about!
So, amid all the worrisome noises technology is making about the "the end of the book", what are libraries doing to promote themselves and their involvement in their communities? There has always been a need for publicity, but there seems an urgency now--we need to be more proactive.
Libraries need to do more than a simple list of new books published in the paper. Use websites and blogs. Start online book discussion clubs. One of the session at this year's ILA conference in Coralville will be "Shoot out at the PR Corral."
If you're in the market for display ideas, a good compliation can be found at http://www.scholastic.com/librarians/printables/index.htm as well as http://www.sjrlc.org/tradingspaces/toolkit/index.shtml
Be sure to check out WebJunction resources this week, because their tip of the week is about advertising your library: http://ia.webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=14860
Let's hear some ideas for keeping the library's face "out in front." What props, signs, displays, and techniques are N.W. libraries using? What blogs, websites, tips, and techniques are you using to promote the library to center stage--and how successful are your efforts?
Libraries have to find ways to attract new patrons, keep the faithful ones, and continue to remain relevant in the digital world. There is an even greater need today for information than ever before, so it's critical for libraries to be advertising what they have. There is much to brag about!
So, amid all the worrisome noises technology is making about the "the end of the book", what are libraries doing to promote themselves and their involvement in their communities? There has always been a need for publicity, but there seems an urgency now--we need to be more proactive.
Libraries need to do more than a simple list of new books published in the paper. Use websites and blogs. Start online book discussion clubs. One of the session at this year's ILA conference in Coralville will be "Shoot out at the PR Corral."
If you're in the market for display ideas, a good compliation can be found at http://www.scholastic.com/librarians/printables/index.htm as well as http://www.sjrlc.org/tradingspaces/toolkit/index.shtml
Be sure to check out WebJunction resources this week, because their tip of the week is about advertising your library: http://ia.webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=14860
Let's hear some ideas for keeping the library's face "out in front." What props, signs, displays, and techniques are N.W. libraries using? What blogs, websites, tips, and techniques are you using to promote the library to center stage--and how successful are your efforts?
No comments:
Post a Comment