Friday, November 20, 2020

 

November 19, 2020 Adult Services Roundtable Meeting Minutes

Marketing and Public Relations 

 

Attendees:

Joi, Vestavia

Laura, Homewood

Heather, Homewood

Kara, Vestavia

Maura, Trussville

Samantha, Hoover

Discussion:

·        Special newsletters catering to the audiences of your bigger programs.  [At Hoover, for my monthly Purl on the Plaza program, I create a newsletter that includes new craft books, new articles from around the web about craftivism, spotlight on individual’s projects, etc.  I make it something they, hopefully, look forward to including the Zoom/connect information for the month.]

·        We talked about the importance of increasing social media posts and bringing patrons unique/funny/feel-good items and challenges and contests – some focused on individuals and some for families.  Heather mentioned that they are doing monthly photo contests, Bookstagram, and other challenges targeted at Teens

·        Maura mentioned that Trussville is including flyers and other correspondence into the curbside pickup bags.  This would be an excellent opportunity to reach patrons with new programs!

·        Think outside the box to reach isolated people during the pandemic:  Hoover is sending de-selected large print books to retirement facilities so residents can obtain a book during their stay.  Samantha mentioned that she is taking books to Little Free Libraries around our area.  Other donated items are being taken to sheltered groups such as First Light and Jessie’s Place.  In other words, if they can’t come to you, please think about ways of getting books to them where they are.

·        Samantha recommended a good marketing book that she read in a day for Library School.  It’s Start a Revolution : Stop Acting Like a Library / Ben Bizzle with Maria Flora.  Only Hoover has it in their professional collection but it is worth a read.  Be sure to check out other library marketing books within the county’s collection!

·        Consider the non-profit subscription to Kahoot! which according to the web:  Kahoot! is a game-based learning platform, used as educational technology in schools and other educational institutions. Its learning games, "kahoots", are user-generated multiple-choice quizzes that can be accessed via a web browser or the Kahoot app.  Heather at Homewood and Morgan at Mtn Brook have successfully used Kahoot! to have great interactive programs with patrons. (The non-profit “premium” subscription is $240/year.)

·        Shout out to Laura at Homewood who is doing their “Cookies & Comics” program WITH Homewood, Illinois!  Reaching out to those outside of our borders can be a wonderful thing, especially during this time of virtual programming.

·        Get buy-in from employees to promote library services and programs to their own personal social media pages. Also, convince stakeholders and businesses/organizations that the library has resources and services for their employees – cater to their needs so that they will promote library services from within. 

·        It was decided that in 2021, we will record meetings and post them to the ASRT blog so that others can participate.  Have an idea?  Post it to the ASRT group on Facebook!  Want others to help with your programs/questions?  Ask your cohorts on ASRT Facebook page!

·        Scavenger hunts, MadLibs, Reading Challenges, where to begin???

·        Using 3D printers to create mask headbands and other PPE-oriented items.

·        Blank white cotton masks – tie dye kits for the public.

·        Storytime using visuals on your outdoor windows – great for families picking up curbside.

·        Outdoor story walks and fun sidewalk activities that are family-oriented.

·        Free ARC giveaways (advanced reader’s copies of books)

·        Fill your social media with posts that will make them giggle, de-stress and engage.

·        Trussville – Pumpkin challenge was VERY successful.  This doesn’t have to be pumpkins or on a certain holiday.  Perhaps a drawing challenge or a painting challenge…

·        Cudos to Roy Williams and BPL crew for their Thankfulness challenges – these press releases have helped all of us smile!

·        Order up a mystery bag, selling for the Friends of the Library during Covid.  Think of alternative ways to get free books in the hands of your patrons – mystery bag giveaways, reserve a bag of books, etc.

·        BookFace challenge for the public.

·        Bad Art night, virtual edition.

·        Explore the inside workings of the library on Instagram.

·        Introduce people to your greatest asset:  the employees!

·        Share the library’s history via social media to build a sense of belonging.


Online Resources: 

All Kinds of Marketing Ideas for All Kinds of Libraries  https://superlibrarymarketing.com/category/covid-19/

Keep Promoting Your Libraries During the COVID-19 Pandemic
https://www.infotoday.com/mls/may20/Dempsey--Keep-Promoting-Your-Libraries-During-the-COVID-19-Pandemic.shtml

Earn grant money to place Google Ads for your library: 
www.koios.co/libre-frequently-asked-questions

 
Resources from ALA:
https://www.ala.org/pla/resources/tools/public-relations-marketing/marketing-strategies

For the Love of Libraries:  How Libraries Use Content to Tell New Stories
https://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2018/02/libraries-content-stories/

State of Georgia Marketing Toolkit for Libraries:
https://georgialibraries.org/onlineresourceskit/

Public Library Association Using Social Media Listening to Adapt Your Library for COVID-19:  link to an hour-long Zoom meeting well worth a listen!  http://www.ala.org/pla/education/onlinelearning/webinars/ondemand/listening

US Public Libraries: Marketing and Communications Landscape, OCLC report to download.  https://www.oclc.org/research/publications/2018/pl-marketing-communications-landscape.html?_ga=2.26630973.1098435165.1605662922-1759470688.1605662922

Public Libraries’ Novel Response to a Novel Virus:  https://www.theatlantic.com/notes/2020/03/public-libraries-novel-response-to-a-novel-virus/609058/



 

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