5/20/08 1 Public Relations and Outreach for School Libraries Adele Bildersee Avi Chai Webinar May 20, 2008

5/20/08 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

5/20/08 3 Items for Discussion Why should we publicize? How can we do it? What’s in the future?

5/20/08 4 Areas to Consider Public awareness Dissemination of information Development of services to meet needs Measuring effectivenes s How can needs be met? What are their goals and objectives? Developin g strategic marketing Who is the audience?

5/20/08 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

5/20/08 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

5/20/08 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

5/20/08 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

5/20/08 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

5/20/08 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)!

5/20/08 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

5/20/08 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

5/20/08 13 Displays Colorful and interesting Timely Use catch phrases Student and Teacher art exhibits Bulletin boards Book exhibits

5/20/08 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

5/20/08 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

5/20/08 16 Spread the Word – Be Accountable Monthly update to principal –Cite circulation figures –Quote budget expenditures –Enumerate additions to the library –Identify special projects

5/20/08 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.

5/20/08 18 The 21 st 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

5/20/08 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

5/20/08 20 Sources for Great Ideas Library Lovers Month Library Promotion Ideas Marketing Our Libraries – on and off the Internet Motivational Ideas: Children’s Book Week and National Library Week falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/bookweek.htm School Libraries Improve Student Achievement

5/20/08 21 More Sources for Great Ideas School-Libraries.net – Web Pages Created by School Librarians School Library Media Monthly Activities falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/libslmday.htm Models for Creating Pathfinders Library Advocacy Assessment Materials ucts.htm#principals