[Publib] RE: Reaching Out to the Community
Lisa Charbonnet
Lisa at westbank.lib.tx.us
Wed Jan 9 14:13:26 EST 2008
Wow Courtney, great ideas! Still, the costs of printing and mailing are
steep. We've given up on print newsletters and send a lot of our PR out by
email instead. When folks sign up for our library cards we ask for their
email addresses. (Granted most of our residents have email accounts, a
caveat for sure!)
Our ILS system is sophisticated enough to automatically collect these and
feed them to our electronic newsletter software. It also offers the patron
the ability to opt in or out of each of our 4 newsletters (the Open Book
monthly issue, the NewsFlash for important quick notices, the Dragon's Tale
monthly for children, and the Teen Scene for young adults) from home. I sent
out an Open Book newsletter yesterday to more than 5,000 families, pretty
good for a library district of 13,000 or so!, and it didn't cost anything
extra. We've also got them all archived on the website.
Lisa Charbonnet
Westbank Community Library
1309 Westbank
Austin, Texas 78746
512-314-3585
www.westbanklibrary.com
-----Original Message-----
From: publib-request at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-request at webjunction.org]
Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2008 11:32 AM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: Publib Digest, Vol 34, Issue 12
Send Publib mailing list submissions to
publib at webjunction.org
To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
http://lists.webjunction.org/mailman/listinfo/publib
or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
publib-request at webjunction.org
You can reach the person managing the list at
publib-owner at webjunction.org
When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
than "Re: Contents of Publib digest..."
DIGEST READERS: Please do not include the entire text of a digest in your
reply! Our readers find this very annoying. If you aren't sure how to delete
unnecessary text in your reply, compose a NEW email message and send it to
publib at webjunction.org .
Today's Topics:
1. Re: Reaching Out to the Community - was Presentations to
Community Groups (Courtney McGough)
2. RE: Reaching Out to the Community - was Presentations to
Community Groups (Hopkins County - Madisonville Public Library)
3. Friends of the Library Stores (TNew at ci.bedford.tx.us)
4. Re: Reaching Out to the Community - was Presentations
toCommunity Groups (Courtney McGough)
5. re newsletter fun (janet.griffing at wadsworthlibrary.com)
6. RE: Digital Viewer and Scanner ST200X (Pruntel,Alison)
7. Re: re newsletter fun (Roslyn Yerman)
8. RE: Friends of the Library Stores (AMMON, BETTE)
9. DVD scratch repair (Styer, C. Michelle)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2008 10:50:14 -0500
From: "Courtney McGough" <courtneymcgough at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Publib] Reaching Out to the Community - was
Presentations to Community Groups
To: publib at webjunction.org
Message-ID:
<7841faf20801090750u63c2ccc4v165150ef78381708 at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
I had a random - though related - thought as I read Paul's email.
Paul said the community is interested in what the library is doing, but he
also said that their primary means of reaching people isn't as much as they
would like.
It occurred to me that it may be helpful to offer tailored information for
some area business and outreach groups. For example, I was working out at my
local fitness center (Curves - love it!) the other day thinking I really
needed some good books with health recipes, meal plans, and other tips for
planning healthy meals (and now would be a good time for it - gotta catch
people before they give up on that New Year's resolution!). If my Curves
trainer could have handed me a list of health/fitness related items at my
local library or a flier promoting library services that would help me find
health/fitness resources, I would be quite likely to go check them out.
Now, I know this won't work for most businesses and organizations. I know
this wouldn't work in some communities. I know some businesses wouldn't be
willing to keep a list of handouts/fliers.
But, what about local daycare centers? Maybe a promotional flier or a
quarterly list of new resources to let parents know they can find parenting
books, children's books, etc. would be welcome.
Maybe the local gardening club would like to know about the gardening
resources at the library.
Or, if the library has access to an automotive repair database or repair
manuals, maybe the local mechanics would like to know that.
Would a local travel agency be willing to let their customers know the
library has travel guides available?
Maybe religious organizations in the area would appreciate finding out about
any religious fiction or nonfiction in the library.
If there are community centers in your area that serve persons with
disabilities or senior adults, it may help if they know the library has
large print books, or Braille books, or books on CD, or that the library
offers certain services for those groups.
OK, I'll stop rambling now. The ideas just started flowing, and I started
typing. It just seems this could be an opportunity to reach users at their
point of need. It is also a way to put library resources in their daily
path. Their daily path may not be to the library (or they may not even know
the library can help them with that particular thing). But, if we put
something in their path to show how we can help them, maybe they'll try it
out.
So, is anyone doing this type of outreach? How do you do it? Is it
successful? Do people appreciate it?
Courtney McGough
Loganville, GA
new librarian who doesn't work in a public library but works with public
librarians and loves her local public library
On Jan 9, 2008 9:59 AM, Paul Ericsson <ericssonp at krls.org> wrote:
> Also, our regional library system is in the process of doing a
> strategic plan, and part of this has been a community survey. Two
> things have come out of this that relate directly to this question:
> 1) People responding to the public survey expressed their wish for
> more/better communication from the Library. I take this as a geat
> sign that people are interested in what we are doing. Speaking at
> community groups was cited as an example of what they want us to do.
> 2) Other things that people were asking for, are either things we do
> already provide or are in the process of implementing. This tells us
> that we have much work to do with our marketing. It also indicates
> that the two primary methods we use (in-house handouts and newspaper
> press releases) is not reaching as many people as we'd hope for.
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL:
http://lists.webjunction.org/wjlists/publib/attachments/20080109/7cf75463/at
tachment-0001.htm
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2008 10:17:08 -0600
From: "Hopkins County - Madisonville Public Library" <library at vci.net>
Subject: RE: [Publib] Reaching Out to the Community - was
Presentations to Community Groups
To: <publib at webjunction.org>
Message-ID: <000c01c852db$153799e0$3fa6cda0$@net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
We have done this. We made some fliers to hand out to different organization
(daycares, supermarkets, real estate, doctors, etc.) The one that has been
the most successful has been the Auto Repair Reference Center. We made a
postcard and send bundles of them to the auto repair stores (Autozone,
etc.). They have been flying out of their doors resulting on average in
around 3000+ searches per month.
Terry Caudle
Hopkins County âEUR" Madisonville Public Library
library at vci.net
www.publiclibrary.org
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Courtney McGough
Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2008 9:50 AM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Publib] Reaching Out to the Community - was Presentations to
Community Groups
I had a random - though related - thought as I read Paul's email.
Paul said the community is interested in what the library is doing, but he
also said that their primary means of reaching people isn't as much as they
would like.
It occurred to me that it may be helpful to offer tailored information for
some area business and outreach groups. For example, I was working out at my
local fitness center (Curves - love it!) the other day thinking I really
needed some good books with health recipes, meal plans, and other tips for
planning healthy meals (and now would be a good time for it - gotta catch
people before they give up on that New Year's resolution!). If my Curves
trainer could have handed me a list of health/fitness related items at my
local library or a flier promoting library services that would help me find
health/fitness resources, I would be quite likely to go check them out.
Now, I know this won't work for most businesses and organizations. I know
this wouldn't work in some communities. I know some businesses wouldn't be
willing to keep a list of handouts/fliers.
But, what about local daycare centers? Maybe a promotional flier or a
quarterly list of new resources to let parents know they can find parenting
books, children's books, etc. would be welcome.
Maybe the local gardening club would like to know about the gardening
resources at the library.
Or, if the library has access to an automotive repair database or repair
manuals, maybe the local mechanics would like to know that.
Would a local travel agency be willing to let their customers know the
library has travel guides available?
Maybe religious organizations in the area would appreciate finding out about
any religious fiction or nonfiction in the library.
If there are community centers in your area that serve persons with
disabilities or senior adults, it may help if they know the library has
large print books, or Braille books, or books on CD, or that the library
offers certain services for those groups.
OK, I'll stop rambling now. The ideas just started flowing, and I started
typing. It just seems this could be an opportunity to reach users at their
point of need. It is also a way to put library resources in their daily
path. Their daily path may not be to the library (or they may not even know
the library can help them with that particular thing). But, if we put
something in their path to show how we can help them, maybe they'll try it
out.
So, is anyone doing this type of outreach? How do you do it? Is it
successful? Do people appreciate it?
Courtney McGough
Loganville, GA
new librarian who doesn't work in a public library but works with public
librarians and loves her local public library
On Jan 9, 2008 9:59 AM, Paul Ericsson <ericssonp at krls.org> wrote:
Also, our regional library system is in the process of doing a
strategic plan, and part of this has been a community survey. Two
things have come out of this that relate directly to this question:
1) People responding to the public survey expressed their wish for
more/better communication from the Library. I take this as a geat
sign that people are interested in what we are doing. Speaking at
community groups was cited as an example of what they want us to do.
2) Other things that people were asking for, are either things we do
already provide or are in the process of implementing. This tells us
that we have much work to do with our marketing. It also indicates
that the two primary methods we use (in-house handouts and newspaper
press releases) is not reaching as many people as we'd hope for.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL:
http://lists.webjunction.org/wjlists/publib/attachments/20080109/4d007b47/at
tachment-0001.htm
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2008 09:52:32 -0600
From: TNew at ci.bedford.tx.us
Subject: [Publib] Friends of the Library Stores
To: "PubLib" <publib at webjunction.org>
Message-ID:
<OF4A811F1A.87109C5D-ON862573CB.0056510D-862573CB.0057369A at ci.bedford.tx.us>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
How many of you have allocated space for Friends of the Library Stores?
How successful has it been?
We currently only have a double sided bookshelf that houses our "Ongoing
Booksale". The signage reads: "Help us turn Old Books into New Books!"
On to this sale unit goes any unwanted donations and any withdrawn item
that is still in somewhat decent shape. (with a very liberal definition of
decent) We also have a very small display of items like book bags,
coffee mugs with the library logo on the counter behind the Circulation
desk.. And we sometimes sell new books that are purchased by the Friends
and offered in conjunction with Author events.
We are in the planning stages of designing a new building and the Friends
would like to expand the display and Booksale shelving unit into a more
defined and larger area; more like a full fledged store.
We would love to hear from libraries that have full fledged "stores" run
by the friends.
Thanks in advance for your help!
====================================================
Tony New, MLS
Information Resources Supervisor
Bedford Public Library
1805 L. Don Dodson Dr., Bedford, TX 76021
Office: 817-952-2340; Fax 817-952-2396; Main No. 817-952-2330
tnew at ci.bedford.tx.us ----- http://www.bedfordlibrary.org
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL:
http://lists.webjunction.org/wjlists/publib/attachments/20080109/b26a37e0/at
tachment-0001.htm
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2008 11:18:58 -0500
From: "Courtney McGough" <courtneymcgough at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Publib] Reaching Out to the Community - was
Presentations toCommunity Groups
To: publib at webjunction.org
Message-ID:
<7841faf20801090818o7a058918s3371ac9e8f50896e at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Aw, thanks, Kathleen! You just made my day - maybe my week!
Anyone is certainly welcome to steal the idea! I'm all about *not* trying to
reinvent the wheel.
If someone steals it though, I really would like to know how it turns out.
Please share with the list if you do!
Courtney
On Jan 9, 2008 11:15 AM, Kathleen Stipek <kstipek at aclib.us> wrote:
> Random, my eye! Some of these are so brilliant and devious that you
> shouldn't surprised if many colleagues steal them. We are quite shameless
> about it. Information is, after all for use, to paraphrase, I think
> Ranganathan. If you have one wonderful idea like this a year, you're
better
> off than most of us. Welcome to the profession from a 26-year veteran!
>
> Kathleen Stipek
>
> Alachua County Library District
>
> 401 East University Avenue
>
> Gainesville, Florida 32601
>
> 352-334-3931 (fax) 352-334-3948
>
>
>
> *** --Non, merci.*
>
> * Cyrano de Bergerac*
>
> ------------------------------
> **
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL:
http://lists.webjunction.org/wjlists/publib/attachments/20080109/a26eaa16/at
tachment-0001.htm
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Wed, 09 Jan 2008 16:33:42 +0000
From: janet.griffing at wadsworthlibrary.com
Subject: [Publib] re newsletter fun
To: publib at webjunction.org
Message-ID: <W960031672299271199896422 at webmail21>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Maybe it's just me and my particular situation, but I can't afford to have
anything in my library newsletter that isn't pure promotion of a service,
event, or collection item. The funny fillers are ok, but we spend something
like $20,000 a year to produce and mail 14,000 newsletters directly to
customers four times a year. Some issues, it's all we can do to shoehorn
everything in that needs to get published.
So...not to put a pin in anyone's balloon, but are you making the very best
use of your investment of time and money in a newsletter that contains
filler? Just my two pennies...
Janet Griffing
Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator
Wadsworth Public Library
132 Broad Street
Wadsworth, OH 44281
Phone: 330-334-335-2604
Fax: 330-334-6605
?People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun
is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if
there is a light from within.? Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, 1926-2004
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL:
http://lists.webjunction.org/wjlists/publib/attachments/20080109/d6687b23/at
tachment-0001.htm
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2008 11:37:09 -0500
From: "Pruntel,Alison" <Alison.Pruntel at fauquiercounty.gov>
Subject: [Publib] RE: Digital Viewer and Scanner ST200X
To: <publib at webjunction.org>
Message-ID:
<D4DB493FA3AB034FA9543F01E75F711001A72BF8 at fc-exch.fauquiercounty.gov>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I would like to add to Becky's comments. We purchased an ST200 back in
2005 and just got it up and running, so I can't really provide you with
much in the way of how patrons use, etc. We only have one monitor and
even with that, it does take up a lot of space. In addition, even staff
members require a lot of training, as it's obvious from using that
you'll need to be able to train patrons and staff will need to be
comfortable with that. It's definitely not as easy as your average
microfilm reader/printer (which many people have been exposed to when
doing research papers in high school/college). I ended up having to
create a 21 page (!!!) manual with photos of the machine threading film,
etc., due to the learning curve involved in using the machine (contact
me off list if you want a copy that you can modify for your needs). It
does provide high quality images, and for those patrons (and staff
responding to obit requests, etc.) who want a digital image, it's great.
Just be sure to plan for lots of staff training and patron hand-holding.
Alison Pruntel
Electronic Resources Librarian
Fauquier County Public Library
11 Winchester Street
Warrenton, VA 20186
540.349.2770
http://library.fauquiercounty.gov
http://fcpleresources.blogspot.com/
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 12:13:40 -0600
From: "Tatar, Becky" <bltata at aurora.lib.il.us>
Subject: [Publib] RE: Digital Viewer and Scanner ST200X
To: <publib at webjunction.org>
Message-ID:
<6D8BEE91433474478D294A8867FFDC6E011619B2 at WMAIN3.aurorapubliclibrary.org
>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
We have had the ST200 for over a year. It's a great machine, but the
learning curve for patrons is really high. After we show them what it
does, they're thrilled. We use this for a last resort stop, and also,
it gets used a lot by staff to access the newspaper for the mail
requests we receive. We have 2 Canon microfilm reader printers that
work, but of course, they don't clean up the copy like the ST200 does.
I know the ST200X is an upgrade, but right now, our feeling is that if
and when we replace our Canons, we will probably go with a different
analog/digital machine. Oh, one other thing - large footprint for this
- we have 2 monitors for this - one for the digital scanner, and one for
the computer with the program. Hope this helps.
Becky Tatar
Periodicals/Audiovisuals
Aurora Public Library
1 E. Benton Street
Aurora, IL 60505
Phone: 630-264-4100
FAX: 630-896-3209
bltata at aurora.lib.il.us
www.aurora.lib.il.us
Alison Pruntel
Electronic Resources Librarian
Fauquier County Public Library
11 Winchester Street
Warrenton, VA 20186
540-349-2770 (voice)
540-349-3278 (fax)
http://library.fauquiercounty.gov
http://fcpleresources.blogspot.com/
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL:
http://lists.webjunction.org/wjlists/publib/attachments/20080109/fa41ab5d/at
tachment-0001.htm
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Wed, 09 Jan 2008 12:22:53 -0500
From: Roslyn Yerman <ryerman at madison-hgts.lib.mi.us>
Subject: Re: [Publib] re newsletter fun
To: Publib <publib at webjunction.org>
Message-ID: <478502ED.3050209 at madison-hgts.lib.mi.us>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
A valid point. I look forward to initiating a library newsletter in
Madison Heights, but we do contribute significantly to the City's three
time a year (quarterly, until budget cuts combined spring and summer)
recreation newsletter. While the printing cost for the newsletter used
to be borne solely by the Department of Public Services in the past,
budget cuts, along with the volume of information we submit, finds the
library paying for its pages from our printing line item.
janet.griffing at wadsworthlibrary.com wrote:
> Maybe it's just me and my particular situation, but I can't afford to
> have anything in my library newsletter that isn't pure promotion of a
> service, event, or collection item. The funny fillers are ok, but we
> spend something like $20,000 a year to produce and mail 14,000
> newsletters directly to customers four times a year. Some issues, it's
> all we can do to shoehorn everything in that needs to get published.
>
> So...not to put a pin in anyone's balloon, but are you making the very
> best use of your investment of time and money in a newsletter that
> contains filler? Just my two pennies...
>
> Janet Griffing
>
>
> Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator
> Wadsworth Public Library
> 132 Broad Street
> Wadsworth, OH 44281
> Phone: 330-334-335-2604
> Fax: 330-334-6605
>
> *?People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when
> the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is
> revealed only if there is a light from within.? Elisabeth Kubler-Ross,
> 1926-2004
> *
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> Publib mailing list
> Publib at webjunction.org
> http://lists.webjunction.org/mailman/listinfo/publib
>
--
Roslyn Yerman
Director
Madison Heights Public Library
240 W. 13 Mile Road
Madison Heights, MI 48071
tel: (248) 837-2852
fax: (248) 588-2470
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL:
http://lists.webjunction.org/wjlists/publib/attachments/20080109/a781cf46/at
tachment-0001.htm
------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2008 08:52:33 -0800
From: "AMMON, BETTE" <BAMMON at cdalibrary.org>
Subject: RE: [Publib] Friends of the Library Stores
To: 'PubLib' <publib at webjunction.org>
Message-ID:
<2A498AAA48144A46AC5E464E385537460B0D13FE14 at TIBERIUS.EXCALIBUR.LOCAL>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Our new library and Friends bookstore (Second Story Books) is 4 months old.
In our previous library we had pretty much what is described below - with
library staff doing all the selling and much of the shelf stocking. Now the
Friends have a room - approx 12' by 20' - off the entry. They've become
super organized and have recruited a number of volunteers who are staffing
the store in 2 hour shifts. The store is open from 10-4 Monday - Saturday
and sales are good.
They wish the space was bigger but I think it's just right. Right now we're
working on a lease agreement with the city - they'll lease the space for
$1.00/year and we're also looking into procuring worker's comp insurance for
their volunteers. The city legal staff believes that since they are their
own 501 ( c) 3 and have their own treasury, the bookstore volunteers can't
be covered under the city's blanket worker's comp policy. That's pretty much
our only wrinkle right now.
Bette Ammon, Director
bammon at cdalibrary.org<mailto:bammon at cdalibrary.org>
Coeur d'Alene Public Library
702 E. Front Avenue
Coeur d'Alene ID 83814
http://www.cdalibrary.org<http://www.cdalibrary.org/>
208-769-2315 x 436 Fax 208-769-2381
________________________________
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of TNew at ci.bedford.tx.us
Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2008 7:53 AM
To: PubLib
Subject: [Publib] Friends of the Library Stores
How many of you have allocated space for Friends of the Library Stores? How
successful has it been?
We currently only have a double sided bookshelf that houses our "Ongoing
Booksale". The signage reads: "Help us turn Old Books into New Books!"
On to this sale unit goes any unwanted donations and any withdrawn item that
is still in somewhat decent shape. (with a very liberal definition of
decent) We also have a very small display of items like book bags, coffee
mugs with the library logo on the counter behind the Circulation desk.. And
we sometimes sell new books that are purchased by the Friends and offered in
conjunction with Author events.
We are in the planning stages of designing a new building and the Friends
would like to expand the display and Booksale shelving unit into a more
defined and larger area; more like a full fledged store.
We would love to hear from libraries that have full fledged "stores" run by
the friends.
Thanks in advance for your help!
====================================================
Tony New, MLS
Information Resources Supervisor
Bedford Public Library
1805 L. Don Dodson Dr., Bedford, TX 76021
Office: 817-952-2340; Fax 817-952-2396; Main No. 817-952-2330
tnew at ci.bedford.tx.us ----- http://www.bedfordlibrary.org
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL:
http://lists.webjunction.org/wjlists/publib/attachments/20080109/af548be1/at
tachment-0001.htm
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2008 11:57:40 -0500
From: "Styer, C. Michelle" <alford4 at marshall.edu>
Subject: [Publib] DVD scratch repair
To: "publib at webjunction.org" <publib at webjunction.org>
Message-ID:
<16F25B40962D904F81F5502DDD5608A33120110B0B at MUXC10.marshall.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Does anyone know of a good DVD scratch repair system that isn't too costly?
Our library's DVD collection has been growing and along with its circulation
counts, and of course wear and tear. We currently have a XINIX DVD
cleaner/repairer... that might have been $30. It cleans our DVDs pretty
well, but we can't really tell a difference with its scratch repair. Thanks
for your help.
Michelle Styer, LTA 2
Drinko Library Circulation Dept.
Marshall University
One John Marshall Drive
Huntington, WV 25755
304-696-6674
Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be
chewed and digested: that is, some books are to be read only in parts,
others to be read, but not curiously, and some few to be read wholly, and
with diligence and attention.
-Francis Bacon
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL:
http://lists.webjunction.org/wjlists/publib/attachments/20080109/1ba79e21/at
tachment-0001.htm
------------------------------
_______________________________________________
Publib mailing list
Publib at webjunction.org
http://lists.webjunction.org/mailman/listinfo/publib
End of Publib Digest, Vol 34, Issue 12
**************************************
More information about the Publib
mailing list