[Publib] Reference USA

[Kathi Kemp-Tejeda]

Our library is lucky enough to have a sponsor for RefUSA.  I approached our Chamber of Commerce, who suggested contacting the biggest manufacturer in town, about sharing the annual cost 50-50.  I had the RefUSA rep give the company a custom demo at the plant, and they liked it so much, they offered to pay 100% of the cost indefinitely!  They said that the database they had was more expensive, could only be used by those at the plant with permission (the more people who used it, the more $), no remote use so no working on it from home or on a trip, and that RefUSA had much more to offer.

We made a big splash in the local newspaper about the company's generosity and have a permanent statement about their sponsorship by the link on our website.

It can't hurt to ask for business sponsorship, because it's a win-win situation all around.

Kathi Kemp
Director
Eager Free Public Library
Evansville, Wisconsin


--- On Thu, 7/31/08, Emilie Smart <esmart at ebr.lib.la.us> wrote:

> From: Emilie Smart <esmart at ebr.lib.la.us>
> Subject: Re: [Publib] Reference USA
> To: "John Reid" <johnreid7 at hotmail.com>
> Cc: publib at webjunction.org
> Date: Thursday, July 31, 2008, 3:59 PM
> We've had a subscription for years and it is one of the
> most heavily used databases
> we own.  Not sure if patrons use it a lot, but staff sure
> does.  It's always in our
> top 5 databases -- and that includes the databases offered
> by our State Library.
> 
> It is expensive, but so are many print resources that we
> weren't able to get along
> without in years past.  If cost is an issue for you, see
> what annual print resources
> you can comfortably cancel to offset the price of the
> database.  Also, providing
> outreach to local small business that features the mailing
> list and cold-call
> capabilities of RefUSA can generate usage and goodwill.  I
> made one guy so happy
> when I showed him how to make a list of regional architects
> that he actually wrote
> me a love letter!
> 
> Emilie
> 
> -- 
> Emilie Smart
> Head of Reference Services
> East Baton Rouge Parish Library
> 7711 Goodwood Blvd.
> Baton Rouge, LA  70806
> 
> Phone:  225-231-3735
> Fax:    225-231-3736
> 
> >
> > Hi all,
> >
> > Our library is considering purchasing Reference USA.
> What is your opinion on the
> > usefulness of the service? Do you feel it is worth the
> money?  Also, are there any
> > competing services to consider?  We think it would be
> a great addition to our lineup
> > of databases, but perhaps not going to receive enough
> hits to justify the expense.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> >
> > John Reid
> > Joe Barnhart Bee County Library
> > Beeville, Texas
> >
> >
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