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InfoPro Home > Training & Tutorials > Promoting You and Your Library
Welcome! We are thrilled that you are interested in exploring the topic of “promoting your library!” We believe it is fair to say that the need to promote your library and your expertise is critical to the continuing existence of librarianship. This Web Site is a source to help you design programs that celebrate, promote and reaffirm the importance of the library and librarians in today’s world. It also offers suggestions for energizing and inspiring you, your staff and your colleagues!
In the past we have provided resources specific to National Library Week. We realize that promoting your library is not limited to one week a year, so we have redesigned this page to serve as a resource for promotions and activities that take place year round. We also offer you an opportunity to brainstorm, share ideas and hear from colleagues like our very own Librarian Relations Consultants about successful ideas! If you have experiences you want to share, like a successful promotion, a slogan that works, or a dazzling campaign, please do so by sending us an e-mail at: info.pro@lexisnexis.com.
- Resources For Librarians—All Available on InfoPro
Marketing
Creating Your Marketing Plan
Successful promotions begin with planning. Schedule the time you need to evaluate, organize and execute promotions. Define the objectives of the promotion and allocate the proper resources to ensure its success. Consider planning for a year, is a monthly event realistic? Is a quarterly promotion possible? Are there daily or weekly occurrences that the library can piggyback on, like a newsletter or blog? Is one big splash all that will work? You know your culture and your resources best, so tap into those!
Reflect on the past and ask questions such as “What worked really well over the past year?” and “What did not work well?” It is also important to outline the obstacles that you faced during the past year and what you anticipate your obstacles to be moving forward. Some obstacles are unknown and others can be anticipated.
Brainstorm with others involved in the implementation. Once key goals are identified, be sure to have measurements in place as well as timelines for critical projects. Also, be sure to allow for flexibility within your plan in order to incorporate marketing opportunities that may arise throughout the year as well as any changes in organization plans.
For more detailed explanations and step-by-step guides, consult these sources:
Bookmarks—Two simple and effective methods to promote the library are bookmarks and puzzles. We have links below to bookmarks that you can easily print and distribute. You also have the ability to customize some of them with your library or your promotion slogan! Use these bookmarks to help promote events at your library!
- National Library Week Bookmarks—three pages of bookmarks to use during National Library Week! They are ready to print and distribute right now.
- Other Bookmarks—four pages of bookmarks to use to promote special events at your library! Feel free to customize before printing.
Games & Puzzles—Design a trivia game around the quantity and the variety of research questions the library answers. Create a puzzle that spotlights the educational backgrounds of the library staff, the expertise of the librarians or the distinct personalities of the staff. Highlight the various sources in the library, or highlight the history of your institution. The links below can help you create puzzles to challenge and puzzles to entertain:
From Librarians to Librarians—Review some of the recent recognition and articles written by your very own LexisNexis Librarian Relations Consultants.
- SCALL Vendor Service Award (May/June 2007)—Congratulations to Julie Webster-Matthews and Michael Saint-Onge
- "Which Hat Will I Wear Today?" Law Library Lights—Winter 2007—pg. 8
Leanne Battle
- “Ask the Experts,” AALL Spectrum, Volume 10, Number 5, March 2006
Bridget MacMillan
- “Who We Are: The 2005 SLA Illinois Chapter Survey,” The Informant, January 9, 2006
Bridget MacMillan
- “A Little Imitation Can Go A Long Way,” AALL Spectrum, Volume 10, Number 2, November 2005
Bridget MacMillan
- "Stepping Out from Behind the Desk," AALL RIPS-SIS—Fall 2005—pg. 3
Danielle Francis
- “Finding Inspiration in the Oddest Places,” AALL Spectrum, Volume 9, Number 8, June 2005
Bridget MacMillan
- "Generational Differences in the Private Law Firm: Workplace Issues," LLAGNY Law Lines, Volume 28, No. 4, Summer 2005—pg. 21
Gayle Lynn-Nelson with co-author Kit Hartnett
Peer and Employee Recognition
One way to promote the library is to recognize and promote the people who personify the library! By showcasing their talents, skills and education, you create an image of the library as smart, professional and personable. Be creative! Do this through newsletters, “Stump the librarian” questions, “challenge the stereotype” and myth busters’ stories. Open houses, a blog, participation in your institutions events will all enhance the perception of the library and the librarians. You can recognize on a grand scale or on a small scale because recognition of any kind is always appreciated.
If you feel like you are not recognized or appreciated, it is time to step up and lead by example. Ask yourself the following questions: “When was the last time you recognized someone?” and “When was the last time that someone recognized you?” Whether you are the giver or receiver of this appreciation, it is a gesture which garners huge results! If you are fortunate, your organization may have a formal recognition program that you can become more involved in. If not, always remember that small things (including thank you notes, an appreciation lunch, online e-bouquets and Starbucks Cards) go a long way!
Below are articles that you may find helpful:
Event & Party Planning—Running low on inspiration or creativity? Peruse these sites to kick start and generate ideas for your next event:
Links to More Resources—
Inspiration from Your Peers
We are highlighting success stories from librarian customers on this Web Site! This is a place where you can share your successes with your peers and be inspired to implement some of their ideas or develop unique ones from the ideas of others.
CONTEST: Share a Marketing Success with Us!
CONTEST WINNER: |
Brenda Foote
Assistant Reference Librarian
Thompson Coburn LLP
St. Louis, Missouri
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MARKETING SUCCESS STORIES:
Thank you to all who submitted an entry in our contest! Take a moment to review these stories!
Carol Bannen
Director, Information Resources
Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.
Milwaukee WI
Information Resource Center Liaison Program
Mary H. Black
Certified Legal Assistant
VanCott, Bagley, Cornwall & McCarthy
Salt Lake City, Utah
Ongoing Education Alerts
Beverly Butula
Assistant Director of Library Services
Davis & Kuelthau, s.c.
Milwaukee, Wis.
Seminar Madness
Rosemarie Chrisant
Library Director
Akron Law Library Association
Summit County Court House
Akron, OH
We do several things
Brenda Foote
Assistant Reference Librarian
Thompson Coburn LLP
St. Louis, Missouri
Change Your World @Your Library
Judy Harris
Director of Library and Research Services
Bryan Cave LLP
St. Louis, MO
Bryan Cave Library and Research Services- JUST SAY "KNOW"!
Todd Hillmer
Librarian
Marshall Gerstein & Borun LLP
Chicago, IL
The Haunted Library
Tracy Leming
Reference Librarian
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, P.C.
Denver, CO
90-Day Library Check-Ins
June F. Mac Leod
Electronic Resources Reference Librarian
Thomas Jefferson School of Law
San Diego, CA
Mini-classes to provide basic knowledge
Christine Morong
Senior Reference Librarian
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Chicago, IL
National Library Week and Bring Your Child to Work Day
Beth Mrkvicka
Reference Librarian
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
Chicago, IL
Summer & Fall Associate Orientations
Sarah Palmer
Research Specialist
Legal Technology Resource Center
American Bar Association
Chicago, IL
Technology Translators
Bonnie Shucha
Head of Reference
University of Wisconsin
Madison, WI
READ posters
CONTEST DETAILS:
Tell us about a project or marketing idea that won you praise! Your story will be posted on the InfoPro Web Site. Share your successful idea and be entered for a CHANCE TO WIN a fabulous prize. Please include the following information in your entry:
- Your Name/Title/Organization
- Title of the promotion/campaign
- Goal / target of promotion/campaign
- Date occurring
- Steps taken to achieve goal/target
- Who was involved
- What was produced
- What was the result / impact
All entries received by midnight on Friday, March 16 will be entered in the drawing. The winner will receive a LexisNexis Rewards Card valued at 10,000 POINTS (a value of $200.)
To enter, email the above details to: info.pro@lexisnexis.com
Click here for official rules for this contest.
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