BlogJunction » Marketing

Wyoming Libraries Campaign

chrystie — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 16:43:22 +0000

I think that what Wyoming is doing to market their libraries is very cool. This particular image is sure to raise a few eyebrows, but I think it’s great!! Be sure to take a look at the whole campaign. They’ve done a great job.

wyominglibs
Originally uploaded by WebJunction

The WebJunction PEZ Dispenser Post

libraryman — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 01:23:36 +0000

My coworkers here at WebJunction are a patient lot. They work hard every day knowing that at some point there is a very real possibility that I will march right up to them and start talking about, of all things, PEZ dispensers.

I know that sounds strange, but don’t be fooled! These PEZ discussion really are about work (most of the time anyway), work that is about to happily culminate in the dissemination of our very own WebJunction PEZ dispensers! That’s right; you may soon be one of the roughly 120 WebJunction members that will soon be the proud owners of some very spiffy, very limited edition (only 150 were made), highly collectible WebJunction PEZ dispenser. This could mean you! So how do you get one?

First, everyone should know that this special little PEZ was designed primarily as a giveaway for this year’s ALA Annual Conference. So, if you attend our big WebJunction event next Friday, June 22nd and are one of the first 100 WebJunction members to bop around the room partying, visiting, learning and answering a very short question sheet, you will get one of these super spiffy PEZ dispensers. So if you are especially keen on acquiring a WJ PEZ, arrive early and join the party! *Just a note, we do have lots of other activities, games and giveaways planned for this giganto event. It will be so much fun that, believe it or not, even without PEZ it would be a pretty fab party.*

Sadly, large numbers of limited edition custom PEZ dispensers are cost prohibitive so we only have so many to go around. We also know that a very large number of our members cannot make it to our party at ALA. Sooooo…. If you are a registered WebJunction member currently working in, for or with libraries and you really, really want one, you have a chance. We have set 20 dispensers aside and will hold a drawing for them shortly after our return from the conference in DC. There are some requirements that you’ll see on the drawing sign-up page but as long as you meet them (and you really, really want a WebJunction PEZ dispenser) feel free to register. The link to sign up for the giveaway is here **UPDATE** We’ve given away all of our PEZ dispensers for this event and want to thank everyone for participating. We hope you are enjoying your WebJunction PEZ!

Here are the WebJunction Reception/Party details:
Venue: Renaissance, Washington, Grand Ballroom Central
Location:999 Ninth Street NW, Washington, District Of Columbia
Date: Friday, June 22
Time: 5:00 – 7:30 PM ET
Required Dress: Your sassiest librarian outfit. (Or business casual)

And just in case you wondered, my own personal obsession with PEZ is nicely documented by following this link. Additionally, Chrystie and Rachel can attest to the majesty of the Burlingame Museum of PEZ Memorabilia, which printed these custom “fantasy” PEZ for us and which we also recently visited while in the Bay Area for a Community Unconference and a meeting at the RLG offices. A grand time was had by all!

Resource Party

Laura — Wed, 23 May 2007 22:25:30 +0000

We are very excited about our partnership with the REFORMA DC Metro Area Chapter to sponsor this year’s PIÑATA DE RECURSOS/RESOURCE PIÑATA Exhibit. The event highlights outstanding Spanish language library marketing and public relations materials and will be held at the REFORMA Fundraiser Reception in Washington, DC on Sunday, June 24, 2007. And did I mention the REFORMA Reception is at the Venezuelan Embassy!

At the PIÑATA DE RECURSOS/RESOURCE PIÑATA Exhibit, guests will view the materials and take ideas back to their libraries. We will also post all of the materials on WebJunction after the event (stay tuned!). Submissions can be from all types of libraries and we welcome all Spanish language library materials. Contact Elena Tscherny for more information about submission guidelines and deadlines.

We hope to see there!

flickr fun

chrystie — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 06:16:13 +0000

One of the most engaging programs I attended today at IL2006 was Michael Porter’s presentation on Flickr and the libraries and librarians group there. Michael described how his involvement in the project evolved over time, how the group grew to include more than 900 members and close to six thousand photos, and how that growth had naturally caused the group to self-moderate with tagging guidelines or suggestions and a bit of back-end volunteer work. His description confirmed what we’ve been learning at WebJunction about the wisdom of groups and their tendency to self-moderate when they have ownership or particular community roles. (Let’s set aside for a moment the fact that I defy that statement myself - having posted a number of pictures to the group pool without, I am sure, adherence to suggested guidelines…)
But the most fascinating (and impressive) thing to me about Michael’s program was not flickr, nor his group, nor his group’s growth� - it was (drum roll please) the ultra-suave way he brought in voices from around the world (literally) to help him tell his story.

People in the libraries and librarians group in Flickr from both Spain and Australia did voiceovers for their portions of the program. They talked over their demonstrations - which were done in PPT, I think, but maybe there was some flash involved. It was so simple, but a nice big photograph of each speaker as they began, along with name and title, and Michael gave his audience the feeling of meeting someone online. Impressive! It has me thinking about how we (the WebJunction community) can bring our members into these types of conference or meeting settings without even physically being there. Next time we have a member reception at ALA or something, why not let WJ members who can’t or won’t be there tell their library’s story in a similar way? Any volunteers?
Though this one may be my favorite, it’s one of a thousand new ideas I have after being here. Lucky me - lucky us. Now it’s just a matter of sorting through them all!

Weekly Tip: Use this free library wireless graphic

WJ — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 23:17:12 +0000

Got wireless in your library? Use this image to let folks know.

What a way to start PLA!

Jen — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 18:43:59 +0000

A few of us WebJunction folks were thrilled to join the nearly 150 rural librarians who attended a fantastic day-long workshop sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and PLA (thank you!!). Promoting Public Libraries: Using Data and Advocacy to Build Support and Funding was filled with practical and valuable resources, numerous successful advocacy efforts and stories, stories, stories! From a librarian showcasing her library’s resources in the local hair salon to having the town commissioner work the circ desk during peak hours (good way to demonstrate staffing needs, eh?) there were all sorts of great ideas flying around, just like the UFO’s that helped the now world renowned Aztec Public Library in their advocacy efforts (check out the UFO Symposium!). The workshop’s presentations and resources, are posted on WJ, and be sure to keep your ears/eyes open for more conversation from those that attended. If only every first conference experience could be like this!!

Teens in charge

WJ — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 01:08:50 +0000

Chrystie recently suggested looking at teens as a key to libraries’ branding quandry. If we can successfully develop and sell library services to teens it bodes well for our ability to adapt to the expectations of some of our most challenging, demanding, and exciting users. I can’t think of a better way to keep us moving and thriving. Especially if we involve teens themselves in making decisions about our services and marketing.

Jill Stover’s Library Marketing blog has an inspiring interview with Meg Canada, the Coordinator for the Hennepin County (MN) Library’s TeenLinks program, including some cool marketing ideas–and even cooler involvement of teens in advising and developing content.

At WebJunction, the Milton (Ontario, Canada) Public Library, our Library of the Month, is developing both on-site and online spaces for teens, and a teen advisory group will help guide Milton’s work.

And in a recent discussion on teen services on WebJunction’s discussion boards several folks pointed to resources on teen advisory boards including those available at YALSA’s (Young Adult Library Services Association) TAGS (Teen Advisory Group Site). Jennifer Peterson has shared a list of resources as well some tips for program success. Thanks Jennifer!

Re-branding Libraries?

chrystie — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 19:06:23 +0000

Driving home from work one night this week I was struck by this story on NPR’s All Things Considered:

Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin is re-branding her city. As part of the effort, the city commissioned a theme song from hip-hop artist Dallas Austin. The song, she says, is intended to appeal to young people�

Great cities are built for the future and any mayor around the world will tell you that; we go to work, not just to fill the potholes on any given day, but rather to be a part of a planning process that prepares this city for success twenty and thirty years later. You must reach out to young people to be a successful city; but the question then becomes: do you have the nerve to say that? And in Atlanta, we do�

This song needs to represent the future of our city and the diversity of our city. It�s a lot easier to use the words �we want to represent everyone� and in fact find a place for everyone to participate.

Insert the word library in the place of city in the comments above and I wonder if we�d be on to something. We talk a lot about libraries, marketing, services, and teens. But last night it all came together for me: could YA services be the key to our branding quandary?

(BTW: he�s no hip-hop artist, but I know someone who can write some clever library lyrics.)