My final session for Computers in Libraries 2012 was co-presented by
three different people from different libraries (and different kinds
of libraries):
- Lindsay Sarin, E-Reference Librarian, University of the District of Columbia
- Julie Strange, Statewide Coordinator, Maryland AskUsNow
- Andrea Snyder, Job & Career Center Manager, Enoch Pratt Free Library
The presentation provided fun and informative tips on marketing
libraries. The presenters started by covering why marketing is
important (“Marketing is like showering – it's to present a
clean, prepared image.”) and then divided up 11 tips into
categories using a house building analogy (the first steps are for
putting down a foundation, the next steps were for renovation, and
the last steps were upkeep).
The tips they presented were:
- Assess: Know where you stand
How? Start with the staff. Look at the numbers. And ask the user.
Some library put a whiteboard up in the lobby with questions and got great feedback.
Sometimes the truth hurts.
Figure out what you need to assess.
- Create a Blueprint
Know your Goals: Where you want to end up? Use what you know. Think big; start small.
Visualize where you want to end up. What do your goals look like. - Clear the Decks
Don't dilute your message by advertising too much in one place.
Choose the essential and eliminate everything else
Examine the things you like from others' and figure out the elements of success. Repeat. - Create your message
Keep your message simple (e.g. “Spread the words”, “You belong @ the library”, Turn to us. The choices will surprise you”)
Do something fun to get people to be creative and submit their ideas.
Right person. Right place. Right time.
Cut 60% of the words. - Reduce Pain
This makes current customers happy, and they will advertise for you.
Ask them what they'd change.
Use your library like a customer and pay attention to the little ways you can make a big difference. - Be Brave
Stuffed animal sleepovers / order groceries at the library / ask us now (made people familiar with the service with a contest)
(At this point in the presentation everyone was supposted to brainstorm with their neighbor to come up with an interesting program idea. Mentioned ideas included encouraging users to take a book on vacation and take a picture of the book in an exotic location and a Kindles, cookies and cocoa Overdrive promotion). - Give people something to do
Instead of “you can now text message the library” say “add your number to your phone and then you can contact us at any time.”
Rewrite an old message in active language. - Steal ideas
Steal from other libraries but also steal from outside of libraries
Immerse yourself in something outside your comfort zone. Pay attention while you're there. - Get into the Community
Create elevator speeches / Keep your librarian brain on at all times
They suggested using http://ifttt.com – recipes or tasks for different services to talk to one another - Assess the results
Debrief after everything. Learn. - Build a toolkit
It was a nicely presented session with some good tips. It was a good finish for CIL 2012.
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