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Public Relations and Outreach for School Libraries

Public Relations and Outreach for School Libraries. Adele Bildersee Avi Chai Webinar May 20, 2008. Introduction. Definition of marketing: “…purposeful coalescence of people, materials, and facilities seeking to accomplish the same purpose …” Philip Kotter

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Public Relations and Outreach for School Libraries

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  1. Public Relations and Outreach for School Libraries Adele Bildersee Avi Chai Webinar May 20, 2008

  2. Introduction • Definition of marketing: “…purposeful coalescence of people, materials, and facilities seeking to accomplish the same purpose …” Philip Kotter • Should lead to articulating the importance and value of the school library media center in teaching and learning

  3. Items for Discussion • Why should we publicize? • How can we do it? • What’s in the future?

  4. Areas to Consider • Public awareness • Dissemination of information • Development of services to meet needs Who is the audience? Developing strategic marketing What are their goals and objectives? Measuring effectiveness How can needs be met?

  5. The School Audience • Library personnel must project strong helpful image to all in the school building • Include: - K-12 Students - Cafeteria Workers - Teachers - Bus Drivers - Clerical Staff - Custodians - Administration - Parents

  6. School Audience - Strategies • Special Events - Book fairs, Faculty teas, Author visits • Give Book Talks and Reading Discussion Groups • Displays: Themes, Posters, Student work • Support: Booklists, Newsletters, Bookmarks • Website: OPAC, Databases, Pathfinders, RSS feeds • Be interactive: Attend PTA and department meetings, Sponsor clubs • Ask for suggestions

  7. Targeting the Students • Build a collection that meets student needs • Subscribe to important databases • Create Podcasts - Student Book Reviews • Teach use of RSS feeds for research use • Publish colorful lists of new books and media • in hard copy and online • Have students share their favorite books: • Librarything.com - Goodreads.com • Library Sleepovers • Encourage suggestions

  8. Involve the Community • Connect with the public library • Invite volunteers • Solicit senior citizens for help and talent • Send newsblasts through school newsletters and local newspapers • Publish vacation reading lists • Used book sales (good money raiser too!) • Put up pictures of library activities on your website • Engage other schools - feeder schools

  9. Parent Presence • Volunteer Opportunities • Family Night once a semester • Flyers to be sent home • Attend evening events with parents • Welcome parents when they visit the library • Provide parent workshops • Establish reading group

  10. Parents Use the Library too! • Give parent workshops • Teach how to help their kids with assignments • Boolean operators • Specialized databases • Responsible use of the Internet • Google - how to make it work well for you! • Research tips for kids (and them)!

  11. Celebrating the School Library Special Events • Poetry Festival • Movie Night (films from books) • Student author projects • Storytelling • Literary Quiz • Book Fairs • National Library Week/Special months/Themes • Ecology Fair -- books/art from recyclables • Volunteer breakfast

  12. Publicize Events • Send invitations to administrators, et al • Alert local media • Take lots of pictures and publish in newsletter • Post publicity on website • Frame special items and post in library

  13. Displays • Colorful and interesting • Timely • Use catch phrases • Student and Teacher art exhibits • Bulletin boards • Book exhibits

  14. Positive Image Builders • Changing bulletin boards • Participating in a helpful manner to all curricular matters • Searching for needed information in a variety sources outside the school • Making special efforts for students/teachers • Create atmosphere of fun and acceptance

  15. Avoiding “Negative” Impressions • Levying fines • Taking inventory while school is open • Returning “misbehaving” students to the teacher • Reacting slowly to student/teacher requests for service

  16. Spread the Word – Be Accountable • Monthly update to principal • Cite circulation figures • Quote budget expenditures • Enumerate additions to the library • Identify special projects

  17. Annual Report • Circulation – compare with previous years • New items • Web site – changes and updates • Blogs • Wikis • Big events, visitors or contributions • Participation – community, school, etc.

  18. The 21st Century – What to do now! • Establish and maintain a web presence • Web 2.0 (Blogs and wikis) • Podcasts • RSS feeds • Provide databases with remote access • Establish pathfinders • Online tutorials • Use social networks - MySpace

  19. Resources for School Librarians • LM_NET • AASL • ALA • Avi Chai Wiki – jewishschoollibraries.pbwiki.com • Conferences • American Library Association -- AASL • Internet Librarian • NECC • Computers in Libraries • AJL – Association of Jewish Libraries

  20. Sources for Great Ideas • Library Lovers Month www.librarysupport.net/librarylovers • Library Promotion Ideas http://www.sldirectory.com/libsf/resf/promote.html • Marketing Our Libraries – on and off the Internet www.librarysupportstaff.com/marketinglibs.html • Motivational Ideas: Children’s Book Week and National Library Week falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/bookweek.htm • School Libraries Improve Student Achievement www.educationworld.com/a_admin/admin178.shtml

  21. More Sources for Great Ideas • School-Libraries.net – Web Pages Created by School Librarians www.school-libraries.net • School Library Media Monthly Activities falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/libslmday.htm • Models for Creating Pathfinders www.sdst.org/shs/library/pathfindermodels.html • Library Advocacy www.oelma.org/advocacy/default.asp • Assessment Materials www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslpubsandjournals/aaslbooksandprod/aaslbooksproducts.htm#principals

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