Archive for the ‘Marketing’ Category

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“Going Social to Get Local” Was Very Successful

Thursday, March 29th, 2012

The second program in the “Library as Community Center” series was taught by three members of the Lawrence Public Library Social Media Team. Susan Brown is the Marketing Director, Jennifer Cook is a Children’s Librarian and Rachel Smalter Hall is the Adult Programs Librarian. This program was on Wednesday, March 28, from 10:00 to 12:00.

They shared a lot of information about using social media and presented many appealing ideas. But they also emphasized that using social media successfully takes planning, time, teamwork and effective ongoing management. It is better to develop it slowly than to try to do everything at once. Susan recommended a book called “Doing Social Media So it Matters: A Librarian’s Guide” by Laura Solomon, saying it was extremely helpful to librarians wanting to develop this field.

The benefits to a library match the investment. Using social media allows the library to inform and engage the community, to respond to customers, to promote services, programs and collections. It helps community residents become aware of the library as an information hub, an essential destination and a community center. It helps the librarians build mutually beneficial relationships all over the community.

Jennifer shared many ideas on using Facebook effectively to share information about the library and encourage feedback from customers. Rachel shared ways to use Twitter effectively. Then she talked about using it to build relationships with community residents who will become library supporters.

One of the things that impressed the workshop participants was the use of humor and playfulness in the ways that the Lawrence library uses social media to interact with community residents. The playfulness elicits response from the community in a way that simply sharing information would not. But this communication must still be honest, respectful, appreciative and appropriate. It is not wise to post anything on social media that could not be said at a service desk.

Even if they understood the benefits in partnerships, publicity, advocacy, and support, many librarians have considered that developing social media is a lot of work that must be done by already busy librarians. The Lawrence social media team did not deny this. They emphasized the need for a team effort. But they taught that playfulness could be considered an important professional tool, which is a nice idea. And they did succeed in demonstrating that social media could be a great deal of fun.

The workshop slides will be placed on the new “Library as Community Center” WebJunction Page. Information about this program will also be stored there with the archive link.

Posted in CE & Training, Librarians & libraries, Marketing, Networking | No Comments »

Kansas Puzzles Still Available

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

Kansas puzzles are still available across the state at various retail outlets.  Here’s the list of outlets:  (as of  Jan. 2011)

Baldwin City:    Baldwin Emporium

Belleville:          Belleville Public Library

Burlington:        Coffey County Historical Museum

Colby:              Thomas County Historical Museum

Dodge City:      Kansas Heritage Center

Emporia:           Town Crier Book Store

Emporia:           Lyon County Historical Society & Museum

Kansas City:     Johnson County Library

Kansas City:     Rally House/Plaza, 4705 Broadway

Lawrence:        The Raven

Lawrence:        The Kansas Sampler, 921 Massachusetts St.

Leawood:         The Kansas Sampler, 4845 W. 117th St.

Lenexa:            The Kansas Sampler, 9750 Quivira Rd.

Manhattan:       Claflin Books & Copies

Mission:            The Kansas Sampler, 6858 Johnson Dr.

Ness City:        Prairie Mercantile and Gift Shop

Oberlin:            Decatur County Museum

Olathe:             The Kansas Sampler, 16485 W. 119th St.

Ottawa:            Ottawa Library

Overland Park: The Kansas Sampler, 9548 Antioch Rd.

Salina:               Smoky Hill Museum Store

Topeka:            Chandler Booktique at Topeka/Shawnee County Public Library

Topeka:            Visitors Desk State Capitol, Kansas Historical Museum

Topeka:            The Kansas Sampler, 5918 SW 21st. St.

Topeka:            Sunflower School Supplies

Wamego:          Wamego Public Library

Wichita:            Watermark Books and Café

Wichita:            Kansas Gifts

Posted in Announcements, Marketing, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Communicate the Value of Your Library

Wednesday, January 12th, 2011

CalculatorThis month, WebJunction Kansas is focusing on Communicating the Value of Your Library.  We know you understand the value of getting the word out to your library board, funders and the community at large, but what if you could be even more effective in your communications, without spending extra time or energy? This month the courses we’re highlighting help you do just that.

Beginners and seasoned presenters have plenty to learn from this group of courses designed to help you improve your communication effectiveness and efficiency.  From creating a plan, to developing and refining your messages and then getting them out there through a wide range of delivery methods, we’ve got you covered with these courses.

Join with us this month in learning more about how to get the best results through the right messages to the right audiences… and start celebrating more effective communication than you’ve ever known.

Course information and links are all found here: http://ks.webjunction.org/commvaluecourses.

Posted in Advocacy, CE & Training, Marketing, WebJunction | No Comments »

Project to Market WebJunction Kansas Resources

Monday, June 21st, 2010

The State Library of Kansas Library Development staff is planning an ongoing marketing of the resources on WebJunction Kansas, focusing on both courses and resources.

This project will include planning, financial management, legal issues, professional values, interpersonal skills, reference, technical services and youth services.

Kansas librarians have used WebJunction Kansas very heavily, but it is a deep and complex site. This presentation of WebJunction Kansas resources may foster the discovery of exciting ideas or aid the pursuit of a specialized field.

We are starting this new initiative with resources on marketing. Library marketing is a field that has grown rapidly in the last few years and is exciting to explore as well as critically important when libraries are struggling to achieve recognition and hold resources.                                                                                                                                                             

WebJunction Kansas courses that are concerned with marketing or useful marketing skills include:

Advanced Business Communication – Effective Business Communication

Advanced Business Communication – Business Writing for Results

Competitive Factors in Strategic Marketing

Creating a Marketing Campaign

Customer Satisfaction: Analysis and Implementation

Delivering the Message

Developing Customer Satisfaction Surveys

Developing Motivating Messages

Discovering What Your Customers Want

Elements of Marketing Strategy

E-Mail as a Marketing Tool

Fundamentals of Exceptional Customer Service

Identifying Your Customers Expectations

Keep it Simple: Developing a Marketing Plan

Keeping Your Library Looking Good

Merchandising that Works

The Online Branding Environment

Principles of Marketing – Fundamentals of Marketing

Retailing Methods and Techniques in Libraries

Using Surveys to Measure Customer Satisfaction

Web 2.0 Fundamentals

Writing a Marketing Plan: Phase 1

There are a number of resources on Marketing available on the Marketing page of the Library Management tab. Please post a comment on this article if you find any of these especially useful at your library.

“Smartest Card” Campaign a Hit in North Carolina
Find out how North Carolina is utilizing the ‘Smartest Card’ campaign sponsored by the Public Library Association, a division of the American Library Association.

31 Flavors – Things to Do With Flickr in Libraries
How to use this photo-sharing website to connect and communicate with your patrons   

Be prepared to talk about your library (or yourself)
Practice makes perfect when you need to communicate your value to library stakeholders or prospective employers. 
 
Branding and Marketing your Library
Read about the importance of branding and marketing in the library. Topics include identifying stakeholders, understanding the target audience, and developing a marketing plan.                                                                                                                                      

Expanding Your Story, Finding Their Stories
Understand your library’s place in your community–both as a physical space and as an influence in people’s lives.   

Getting Ready to Market the Library to Culturally Diverse Communities
A step-by-step recipe for reaching out to immigrant communities and others.   
 
Harris County Public Library System Brand Manual
In recognition that a brand is an important asset, Harris County Public Library created a brand manual. The goal is to present a unified and consistent image to the public, so they are able to recognize Harris County as a library system.
   
If You Build It Will They Come? Marketing Strategies to Insure Success
Using KnowItNow.org as an example for launch and building awareness, use of virtual reference service   

Innovative Marketing Strategies
AskColorado as case study of marketing virtual reference service   
 
M&M: Maximum Marketing/Minimum Investment
Archive and associated resources for February 9, 2010, session with Janie Rutherford and Cindi Hickey as part of the Technology Essentials 2010, online conference.   
 
Market Your Library
Think you can’t get the word out about your library’s programs on a shoestring budget? These marketing resources will change your mind.   

Marketing for Dummies
This article originally appeared in the Rural Libraries Journal in 2003, and briefly touches on image and branding your library to reflect the needs of your community.   
                                                                                                                                                                    Marketing Guidelines Template
Developed for virtual reference services, this downloadable PDF file contains a set of marketing guidelines that is easily adaptable for marketing any library service.   
 
Marketing Resources for Libraries
A collection of resources created by Janie Rutherford and Cindi Hickey, presented as part of their session, M&M: Maximum Marketing/Minimum Investment, at WebJunction’s online conference, Technology Essentials, 2010.   

Marketing the Small Library 
A marketing guide for librarians in small public libraries.   

Participant Marketing Ideas: M&M: Maximum Marketing/Minimum Investment
A rich collection of marketing ideas collected in chat from February 9, 2010, session with Janie Rutherford and Cindi Hickey as part of the Technology Essentials 2010, online conference.   

Puskarich Public Library: Perfect Partnerships (January 2004)
A library in rural southeastern Ohio has developed a broad range of relationships that forms a web of mutual support and good will. 

SC Toolkit Chapter 8, Update the Community
Publicize and promote your library and its services with a newsletter. This tool will teach you how to maintain a high profile in your community.   

Telling Your Story
Once your library’s story has been crafted, it is time to start telling it.   
 
The Role of Marketing in Revitalizing Library Services in Rural Communities
The author looks at the importance that marketing can play for rural libraries. The article outlines the six clear steps that any library can take towards implementing an effective marketing plan.   

The Smartest Card
Information about the ALA’s “Smartest Card” advocacy campaign.   

The Storied Library
Your library’s most valuable asset might be its stories. Are you making the most of them?   

The Storied Library: Filling In the Story
An expansion, with resources, of the “Storied Library” concept.   

Twitter and the Missouri River Regional Library
The MRRL is experimenting with an easy-to-use social networking tool to stay in touch with its community.   

WebJunction Kansas: Merchandising and Marketing 
The effective marketing of library services has become a top priority for many excellent libraries. Collection merchandising has been an exciting and fast-growing part of this field. Kansas librarians explored these topics & contributed their ideas.  approved  

 WebJunction Pathfinder: Creating Audio and Podcasts for Your Library
Start here for information on creating audio for your library website and podcasts for your library.   

What Libraries Can Learn from Bookstores
Chris Rippel of the Central Kansas Library System offers a thoughtful, sometimes provocative comparison of libraries and their retail cousins. In the spotlight are sounds, layout, staffing costs, and even smells.   

What’s Your Story?
In the second installment of his series, Walt talks to small libraries about story and brand, and figuring out what’s special about the stories they have.   

What’s Marketing Got to Do with It?
Marketing trends present librarians with promising opportunities.   

Your Community’s Stories
Tips on how to publish your library’s story.

Posted in CE & Training, Lib. Admin. Certification, Marketing, WebJunction | No Comments »

Webinar Training on Resources for International Business/Exporting

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

When:  July 29, 2010 / 10:00am – 11:00am
Where:  Your Computer

The U.S. Commercial Service helps your patrons find exporting success.

Exporting helps U.S. businesses sustain and create jobs.  Decreasing domestic demand can depress prices and force companies to reduce production.  By selling to international markets, firms can maintain or increase current production levels.  Now is the best time for Kansas companies, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to diversify their client portfolios by focusing on growing global markets.  As with any new venture, however, conducting international business offers unique challenges, and companies are always looking for information on resources to assist them in this process.

This training session will give you an insider’s overview of how to counsel your library patrons:
•  Market Research
•  Free Trade Agreements
•  Trade statistics
•  Trade Financing
•  Protecting Intellectual Property
•  Sources for Importing
•  Resources from the U.S. Commercial Service
•  Referrals to our office

To Register:

Please go to the following link -   https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/newWebinarRegistration.jsp?SmartCode=0Q7T
Once you’ve registered, watch your email for the Internet Login and Audio information for this webinar.

For full information see the following flyer:

Kansas Libraries Webinar flyer2.1 

Posted in Advocacy, Announcements, CE & Training, Marketing | No Comments »

Consult the Cat – Return to Merchandising

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

The Cat has a fondness, as a heavy library user, for the developing field of library merchandising. She urges librarians to consider and share its ideas.

 

The Cat, like most cats, likes pleasant surprises. She likes bumping her whiskers on a book and finding it a great read. So, when faced with row after row of ranges neatly labeled with catalog signage, the Cat is tempted to let out a seriously Siamese howl. It would have an interesting effect on library users, but many might agree with the translation into English, which is “Get those things out of the tomb!” Research has shown that when a collection is effectively showcased to the public, the circulation will go up.

The Cat’s friends at the State Library were aware of her interest in this field and invited her to participate in the 2008 Learning 2 Action Package on Merchandising and Marketing Collections. The Cat was fascinated by the variety of projects the participants posted to the Merchandising and Marketing page. Actually, this page is still wide open and any librarian who is doing interesting merchandising projects at their library is invited to post them to WebJunction Kansas.

A recent InfoPeople webinar called “Show it Off: Techniques for Increasing Circulation through Merchandising” had some really wonderful information on ways to handle this growing field. The SLK Library Development Division has just posted an article on this workshop, with a link to the rich resources created by Kathy Schalk-Greene. This article may be accessed at:

http://ks.webjunction.org/merchandising_and_marketing/-/articles/content/96022278

The Cat likes book displays, audiobook displays, video displays, ample New Book displays, collection neighborhoods, online reviews, staff picks, reading nooks, and comfortable chairs.

The Cat does monitor New Book Displays, feeling grateful for every special treasure they toss up. But in too many libraries, they are being asked to carry too much. There are treasures in the collection that are not brand new, but could be discovered – or re-discovered. Librarians are discovering the benefits of continually showcasing their collections in a way that allows continual discovery by the public. It does a book no good to be fascinating or useful if it is buried in the stacks and not read.

The Cat is too old (and too feline) to be starry-eyed about anything. Merchandising can be a tough sell for both library staff and library users. The Cat has been familiar with Dewey since she was a tiny kitten. It has been a very good system for finding the book you are looking for where it ought to be. One of the keys to successful merchandising is to treat the Dewey system with considerable respect. 

If a large number of books on a topic have been removed to create an effective display, there should be a notice in the stacks about the display and where it can be found. If a library sets up collection neighborhoods, the library users should understand very clearly what sections have been moved and where they can be found. It would not have occurred to the Cat that With Love from Karen would be in the Health Neigborhood, but she found it easily enough and didn’t bother to hiss.  

Many books are effectively displayed on shelf tops and end panels without moving them a significant distance from their proper Dewey home. The Cat was momentarily disappointed not to find Dragon Hunter in the Biographies under Andrews but she plucked it off the end panel and took it away.

Librarians and library users have been known to grumble that “bookstores aren’t such a great model. I can’t find what I’m looking for!” It is true that a good bookstore will make sure they have friendly, available personnel who are able to help people effectively. A good library will make sure of the same thing, regardless of how they choose to arrange their collections. Specialists in Merchandising agree that no library should begin a merchandising program unless they are willing to invest time in staff involvement, staff training, staff planning, staff discussion, staff buy-in. The major goals, which have been realized by many cutting-edge libraries, are staff enjoyment and community enthusiasm. 

Merchandising is never a perfect system. Neither is Dewey. Most people want their library to be welcoming, colorful, interesting, and easy to use. They want high-demand, popular materials to be easy to find in a system that is natural to them. A serious commitment to merchandising the library can help accomplish all these things. Merchandising is a fast-growing library field because it does produce results for those who invest in it. The librarians who are investigating this new field, and investing in it, deserve thanks from all heavy library users and a purr from the

Cat

Posted in CE & Training, Consult the Cat, Library 2.0, Marketing, WebJunction | No Comments »

Celebrate National Library Week!

Monday, April 12th, 2010

April 11-17 is National Library Week with the theme “Communities Thrive @ Your Library”. 

The most recent data shows that library use is up all across the country.  Libraries DO make a difference -  especially during these tough economic times.

Support your local library this week, and celebrate Kansas libraries and the difference they make in Kansas communities and schools every day!

Promotional materials and resources can be found at:  http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/pio/natlibraryweek/nlw.cfm .

Posted in Advocacy, Announcements, Librarians & libraries, Marketing, Uncategorized | No Comments »

State Library to Compile 150 Best Kansas Books

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

As a lead up to the Kansas’ 150th Birthday in 2011, the State Library of Kansas seeks  recommended books for a Kansas 150 list. 

The grassroots project encourages book title suggestions from anyone—individuals, authors, booksellers, and publishers. Nominations may be made between January 29, 2010 and October 31, 2010.  The list of 150 notable titles will be announced at the beginning of 2011 and promoted throughout the sesquicentennial year. 

Criteria for nominations is simple:  a significant aspect of the book must relate to Kansas.  The book can tell a story about Kansas, its culture, its heritage or be historical in nature.  In addition, the book may be written by a recognizable author who called Kansas home at some time in his/her lifetime; and the book may be from any genre, fiction or non-fiction, and suitable for readers of any age.

A submission form is available here 150 nomination form

Posted in Announcements, KCFB, Marketing | No Comments »

Communities Thrive @ Your Library

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

The next National Library Week will take place April 11-17. Start planning now  how you’re going to promote your library.  ALA has  lots of materials to help you at http://tinyurl.com/national-library-week10

National Library Week annually celebrates the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians. All types of libraries (school, public, academic and corporate/special) participate. More importantly, it’ a time to raise awareness about libraries and library services. Highlight the great products, services, and experts you have!

Posted in Announcements, Library Programs, Marketing | No Comments »

Job Bank at Tonganoxie Public Library

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

by Royce Kitts, Library Director

Last Fall I had the opportunity to attend the Association of Rural and Small Libraries annual conference in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. One of the wonderful speakers at the conference was Sandra Nelson. She talked about how conferences fill us with so many ideas and that when we get back to our ‘normal’ routine those ideas get put on the back burner, and a lot of times just kind of brushed aside, not to be revisited. Ms. Nelson encouraged us as we attended programs that year to think of one or two things that we can take away from the conference and really make work at our library.

Now it might not come as a surprise to anyone, but we are right smack dab in the middle of a recession in this country and jobs are scarce. One of my favorite sessions at ARSL was put on by the State Library of North Carolina and was about the efforts they are putting forth in connecting citizens of North Carolina with job resources. It seemed like such a natural fit for a library to offer and tailor services to specifically meet the needs of the newly unemployed, underemployed, and those who have not had to enter the job market for quite some time.

 

On the way back from the conference on a bus that was chartered to take a bunch of us Kansas librarians to the beautiful Smoky Mountains, we had the misfortune of spending an extra day on the bus due to it breaking down in a little town called Nashville, TN. Lucky for us, we got to spend the night holed up in a mechanic shop. As I sat there, I really started to work on what we could do at the Tonganoxie Public Library to help people out. I tell you, I got stranded with some fine librarians. I was able to talk and plan things out with two of the best, Cindi Hickey and Laura DeBaun, and if ever I was one to share credit for anything, I would mention how much they helped me formulate a good working plan on what to do.

Hours of talking and brainstorming led to an idea I called “The Job Bank.” An area in the library where people could go to fill out online applications, work on resumes, and gain skills that would be needed in the modern job hunting environment. They could print off resumes, applications, and cover letters, etc. Then it hit me, the only way this would be better is if they didn’t have to worry about public computers that had a waiting list, or getting on a machine that auto-logged them off, and my favorite - what if they could do this all for free?

 

So that was what I started working on when I got back to the library. First I made a sign that said “Job Bank Coming Soon!” and plastered it all over the library. I didn’t even know what I was going to do, but I figured once I put a name to it, and put it out there, we had to get the ball rolling.

When it came to getting the computers, I was able to put a call out to libraries in my area and within just a few hours the generosity of libraries like the Atchison Public Library and the Basehor Public Library meant that we had three basic Internet machines, a printer, and a print server.

And let me tell you this, you get a good tech person on your side as soon as possible and the impossible becomes easy. I was lucky enough to get to work with Thatcher Rea at NEKLS. He was able to refurbish the computers and get in place a system that is relatively maintenance free. Not only that, but he took the time to drive up from Lawrence one afternoon and install and make sure everything worked.

Our Friends of the Library group this year was very excited about how this project helped our community and designated all proceeds from our annual Festival of Mini Trees fundraiser this year to the Job Bank. This insures that for the foreseeable future we will be able to have the equipment and supplies needed to keep this program going.

We are not sure how to measure the success of this venture just yet. It was completed at a minimal cost, with hard work, free hardware, and the volunteer efforts of a lot of people in the Tonganoxie community and from the Kansas Library community at large. A few hours ago I helped a young man log on to a website so he could look for a job. The other day I sat with a lady who for the first time had to file a government document online. She had never touched a computer. A member of a local charity group came in the other day with the newspaper and told me that at their last meeting they thought the Library was a real asset to the community with a project like this. My grandpa always said that it doesn’t matter how many people you help, it only matters that you help to the best of your ability.

Thanks again, especially to Thatcher Rea, Cindi Hickey, Laura DeBaun, and the Friends of the Tonganoxie Public Library. Kansas librarians make Kansas special.

 

Posted in Advocacy, Librarians & libraries, Library 2.0, Marketing | No Comments »

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