Blogs for Elk Point, Alberta
Selling Your Library – Promoting E-Resources
One of my projects for the month of March is to update all of our brochures, including the brochure on E-Resouces, also known as databases. In preparation for this Herculean task, I’ve been talking to other consultants in the province, as well as asking questions of the marketing librarians in the large city libraries. They have provided me with some really goo... More...
Friday February 26, 2010 03:10PM - 0 Comment(s)
Selling Your Library – Creative Displays
I was in downtown Edmonton last week for an APLEN meeting at the Stanley Milner Library. While waiting for the elevator, I had the opportunity to glance at some of the display cases. Like my hometown library, which, as a child, I visited weekly and during the summer daily, the displays did not have a single book in them, but they inspired me to read. The passing gl... More...
Friday February 26, 2010 03:09PM - 0 Comment(s)
Selling Your Library – On the Phone
I have a confession to make: I wasn’t always the sweet, gentle, polite woman that you know today. In fact, while in college the phrase used to describe me was, “bold, brash, rude, crude and socially unacceptable.” A lot of this was due to my telephone manner. One of my favorite lines when picking up the phone was “City morgue: you stab ‘em,... More...
Friday February 05, 2010 09:50AM - 0 Comment(s)
Selling your Library – Using Screen Savers and Desktop images.
When I come into work in the morning, the image that greets me when I start up my computer is that of a white cat, glaring at me. It’s like it’s goading me to get to work. When I step away for a coffee, a message dashes across the screen: “Caroline’s Computer.” Not that I need a reminder of which desk is mine, b... More...
Friday February 05, 2010 09:49AM - 0 Comment(s)
Selling Your Library – Updating Your Website
When it comes to promoting your library, your website is prime advertising real estate. Are you using yours to its fullest potential?
Consider this: when someone goes to your library’s website to access the catalogue, what do they see and what impression does it give them of the library? If your website’s home page hasn’t changed in over a year, ... More...
Friday February 05, 2010 09:43AM - 0 Comment(s)
Selling Your Library – Patron Presentations
As part of my job I get to read all of the publications put out by all of the systems. I was reading through the Marigold Library System’s Newsletter this week, when I came across a brilliant idea. At the Rockyford Municipal Library, a patron, Gary Billings, gave a presentation on astronomy. This struck me as being remarkably clever on so many levels.
By ... More...
Friday January 22, 2010 11:48AM - 0 Comment(s)
Selling your Library – Newspaper Articles
This week I received a press release from OverDrive, which I’ve included in this blurb. What appears in red should be filled in with your library’s information, before sending it off to your local paper. I’ve been informed that libraries submitting “press releases” will most likely be charged to have them appear in the newspaper.&nb... More...
Wednesday January 13, 2010 03:05PM - 0 Comment(s)
Selling your Library – Signage, Part 2 (Issue 12)
Last week’s blurb promoted minimalism, consistency and clarity in all of your library’s signs. This week I’m going to expand on consistency in signage by looking at creating sign templates that help to brand your library. I’ll be looking at designing a template, creating a style guide (fonts) and using appropriate graphics.
The key to a good template ... More...
Monday December 21, 2009 09:04AM - 0 Comment(s)
Selling your Library – Signage, Part 1 (Issue 11)
The signs in your library can tell a bigger story than you imagine. One misspelled word and you, as library manager, can be perceived as being illiterate. Ouch! Posted library rules that all begin with “Do not…” presents an image of a legalistic place that is not comfortable and relaxed. Too many signs can say to the public that your library is disorganiz... More...
Friday December 18, 2009 09:09AM - 0 Comment(s)
Selling your Library – Branding
What are people saying about your library? How do they feel when they walk through the door? The sensory experience your patrons have in your library is your library’s brand. No, a brand is not just your logo, slogan, or the image that you use on your letterhead – a library’s brand is the overall feeling/reaction that the patrons have towards it.
This means that you can... More...
Monday December 14, 2009 02:31PM - 0 Comment(s)