May 16, 2019
Topic:  Marketing and Public Relations

Attendees:
Shannon, Hoover
Todd, Hoover
Ryan Godfrey, APLS
Selina, Wylam, BPL
Heather, Homewood
Deidre, Bessemer
Elizabeth, BPL
Mary, Homewood
Leslie, Avondale
Michelle, Irondale
Laura, Homewood
Jennifer, Five Point West, BPL
David, BPL
Cristina, Homewood
Debbie, Leeds
Nancy, Leeds
Maura, Trussville
Lynn, BPL
Tracie, BPL

A show of hands determined that many area libraries utilize social media in the form of:
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, GoodReads, Meetups, YouTube channels, Pinterest and a few use SnapChat.  For us, Birmingham 365 is a must-use even though it is not easy to navigate (and not a guarantee that your event will be featured.)  Libraries are also often using area newspapers and free publications such as Hoover Sun, Western Star, etc.

Elizabeth Swift at BPL utilizes MyEmma to send out e-blasts to patrons with emails attached to their cards or those who sign up for news.  Some libraries pay extra in order to get just their patrons to send to. Contact Elizabeth if you are interested in learning more about e-blasts.  If you send her an image and text, she will send it out (total emails to about 35,000 addresses.)

We went "round robin" style to hear how various libraries are successfully marketing their services and collections.  Hopefully there will be some ideas that will catch on in your library!

• Avondale uses Facebook to promote their very popular craft and ukelele programs.  Recently they did well with a Game of Thrones program too.
• Michelle at Irondale utilizes MyEmma to target the 6,000 residents of Irondale.  Her last e-blast had about 14 people request to be on their ongoing mailing list!
• Selina from Wylam uses Facebook and has worked with McDonalds and Burger King for prizes.  Her branch also uses Roy Williams (head of PR for BPL) for press to a larger group.
• Five Points West has successfully utilized Instagram.
• David from Central talked about their very outstanding Passport Fair.  They produced 112 passports in 7 hours.  Lynn added that they had a TV spot and used Facebook Marketing as well.
• Christina from Homewood often posts to Instagram -- Homewood uses just one account on Instagram, while Hoover has both a children's and all-around account.
• Hoover has discovered a new free online tool called GIMP which is an open-source free version of Adobe Photoshop for photo editing.  Still using the free version of Canva.com for a lot of publicity deliverables.
• Heather at Homewood talked about a sold-out Adults Potion Class for those Harry Potter fans -- they scheduled a second one and 871 were "interested" on Facebook with 60 "going".  Huge success!  There was even fake scalping of the tickets!
• Mary Eller from Homewood kids dept talked about doing story times out in the community (like Urban Cookhouse and Magic City Sweet Ice)  during the summer - very successful effort.
• Gardendale also does pop-up storytelling out in the community with good success.
• Speaking of "out in the community":  JCPLA had a table at the Mutt Strutt to advertise the digital collection -- dogs wore JCPLA tee shirts and the humans had a great time!
• Deidre at Bessemer had several people to her 3D printingg program -- everyone seemed to learn a lot.  Bessemer also got LSTA Funding for a 60" HG TV and 8 laptops with which they will be taking into nursing homes to teach residents how to use.
• Nancy from Leeds talked about their successful pop-up at Rails & Ales called "Tales and Ales".  They've also done story time at Chick-Fil-A and Green Up.
• Debbie from Leeds also talked about how they utilize the Leeds Tribune -- don't forget those smaller, local newspapers or free publications for free publicity!  Leeds was able to secure 12 Alabama Humanities speakers (one for each month) for celebration of the Alabama Bicentennial.  Those have been hugely popular.
• Lynn from downtown talked about how circulation puts targeted bookmarks in each book as they are checked out.  Easy and simple!
• After that note, Elizabeth Swift informed us that with the newest Sierra upgrade, we will begin to implement "Return on Investment" on each checkout slip -- in other words, the checkout slip will reflect the costs of checked out materials to show how much a patron "SAVED" by using the library!  Can't wait!!!
• Maura from Leeds has used bookmarks in the checked out books for informing patrons of new services or about their Device Day, etc.

Ryan Godfrey from APLS specializes in marketing of public libraries showed a slideshow about keeping your message simple and not being overwhelmed by the multitude of options available for marketing your library.  That slideshow can be accessed here.

One important point Ryan made is to begin marketing your library like a business and to distill your message.  It is very hard to capture people's sustained attention but if you convey the bare bones - it will resonate with people.

If at all possible, create a brand for your library that will be consistent, on message and recognizable to your patrons.  Above all, use STORY as a marketing tool.  If you have patrons who have used the library to get a leg up in business or get their degree, utilize their personalized story as your success story.

Also, don't take things for granted - patrons don't always remember that we have a fax machine, craft programs, drivers manuals, voter registration, etc.

You might even want to push the use by patrons of the Amazon.com extension that allows you to see if a resource is currently available from their public library.  It's called "Library Extension" and can be found for Chrome or any other browser.  

There was a brief discussion of tracking the number of clicks on links shared on social media -- even though it was brief, more can be found by reading this article:  2 Ways to Track Bit.ly

Tray to stay relevant and timely.  When Doris Day died, did you pull all of her movies and display them?  Have you put out a beach read display for your summer readers?  Keep in mind that social media is FLUID -- to learn more about doing a better job at marketing, follow other libraries, innovate and try new things.  

One great idea is to keep an Idea Journal -- something you can jot down ideas you read about or come across that might turn into real success stories for the future.  Keep track of your success and failures so that others can follow your examples (and share these with the adult services roundtable group!!!)

Todd from Hoover, who was instrumental in re-branding the Hoover library talked again about Story.  Bring the stories from within the library and those created by your patrons.  Track any numbers you can and use these things to convert people into users.  Once they become used to all that the library can do for them, they become your advocates.

Todd has taken inspiration from all kinds of sources such as "People of Alabama", "Humans of New York", anything that shares relateable content.  Keeping things simple and consistent is KEY.  For marketing purposes, if you are creating flyers or posters and they will be for use inside the library, don't overburden it with addresses and phone numbers, etc.  Keep any URL links short and pretty, if you can.

Take advantage of tools out there like NextDoor, Yelp, Google My Business.  And if you get any money to put towards marketing and public relations, get something that will stand the test of time and will always remind patrons of the library and its many FREE uses.

Below is a handout on general PR & Marketing resources:

Elements of Public Relations & Marketing (General Resources)

Advocacy: ROI/return on investment, data on the value of libraries to the community

Performance Measurement: how to measure the impact of programming

Disaster Recovery: bans, protests, bad press - how to handle things in a crisis

All of this is addressed on the PLA website

Great slideshow & resource listing

Marketing Strategies/General Guides

For the Love of Libraries: How Libraries Use Content to Tell New Stories

Please share your stories in the comments!!!

Thursday, March 21, 2019
Location:  Pinson Public Library

Attendees:
Leslie, Avondale
Allison, Pinson
Prince Socrates Hugo (Socks the Library Cat), Pinson
Terri, Vestavia Hills
Deidre, Bessemer
Sunni, Gardendale
Laura, Trussville
Susan, Trussville
David, Central, ALS
Deni, Hoover
Judith, Homewood
Michelle, Irondale
Jiemin, Central

TOPIC:  Popular Culture in the library

Thank you to Allison for the wonderful tour of the NEW Pinson Library!  One popular change has been categorizing popular movies into Genres such as:  Action, Comedy, Drama, Romance, Fantasy, SciFi, Foreign, Musical.  They are also considering doing "Binge Bundles" -- a very pop culture thing is to BINGE movies and series, so bundling these together appeals to families and others!

One thing I brought up that I've noticed is that most Children's events done by libraries are now "themed" with popular culture.  Instead of advertising a craft afternoon, libraries are having Pokemon Crafts or something like that.  It appeals to younger families.  Requires no explanations - iconic images do all the advertising for you!

Themed Movie Marathons:  Irondale tried running Alfred Hitchcock films in October but it wasn't as successful as they had thought it would be.  Vestavia Hills did a Coen Brothers Movie Marathon with the same results.  Others have held popular movie marathons -- sometimes its as simple as the state of the weather that determines popularity.

One very popular program at VH has been Rock & Roll Bingo -- kind of like "Name that Tune" but with Bingo.  Not only could you do different types of music but also music from different decades.  Prizes include boxed candy from the Dollar Store.  About six libraries at the meeting have invested in popcorn makers -- that seems to be an easy crowd pleaser but not an easy cleanup!  At Bessemer and VH, they use ARC copies of books as prizes.  They are the first to go when given a choice.  Along those lines, the Birmingham Convention Center gave Dee from Bessemer Alabama Bicentennial Bingo cards -- I have uploaded those to our shared Goggle Docs Drive...click here to access 11 pages of fun!

Several libraries have ventured into "after-hour" events with varied success.  There are some great "geeky" themes that are wonderful for Millennial patrons with new families or those looking for safe fun.  Some ideas (not all are after-hours) are Game Night, Role-Playing Games such as Dungeons & Dragons, and Themed Trivia Night.  Hoover is celebrating its fifth year of the SciFi/Fantasy Festival in July!  If your community has a comic book store or Gaming store, that is a good place to start with partnerships.  

Homewood has a very popular and successful Regency Ball in conjunction with the Jane Austen Society.  Downton Abbey teas are still popular.  What about celebrating a Royal wedding or new birth?  (Beware:  there is a Downton Abbey movie coming in the Fall of 2019!)

Irondale reports that any craft event that involves bath bombs or aromatic products is a huge success there.  However, be aware that highly aromatic crafts may bother those with allergies or asthma.  Surprisingly, one of Irondale's most popular adult craft event was "Paint a Chicken"!!  (I tried to sign up but it was full!!)

COPYRIGHT:  As with superhero themes and Disney-related programs, the library must be aware of various issues surrounding copyright of images and words, along with trademarked items.  For instance, you cannot use "Bob Ross" painting event without paying the Bob Ross Foundation.  You cannot share to social media things that are covered.  There are ways to avoid this by renaming programs that evoke the theme.  Anyone for "Little Happy Trees"???

Along those lines, most libraries pay a fee to a movie licensing agency such as Swank, Motion Picture Licensing, 20th Century Fox or Movie Licensing USA.  These agencies give you the option of viewing and showing protected movies.  Costs vary by agency.  For instance, Homewood wanted to do a "Women Making History" film event.  The documentary RBG was not covered under Swank and those films from Magnolia Films were $400 a piece.  It doesn't always work out!

Speaking of movies, Hoover has recently had huge success circulating ROKU sticks pre-loaded with popular movies (binge watching with a three inch stick!)  Additionally, Hoover has bought several subscriptions to Netflix, which are accessible via the ROKU sticks.  For patrons undecided about Netflix or for those who want to marathon watch Arrow!  Also, Hoover separates superhero movies into their respective powerhouses:  DC and Marvel. Instead of putting it alphabetically on the shelf, all DC movies are together and so on.  Those browsing for Guardians of the Galaxy often want all the movies at once and this has helped.

Nostalgia plays a huge role in why these popular culture phenomenon are such a success:  Golden Girls, Gilmore Girls, One Tree Hill, Friends, you name it:  patrons will love recalling a more simpler time!

Got a band member on staff? Ask the band to perform for your patrons!  Have a crafty person on staff or a budding artist?  Ask them to create a program and simplify materials and process.  (For instance, we've found a paint pour craft program is costly and VERY messy!)

Registration for ongoing programs seems to be an acknowledged and legitimate way of assessing attendance.  However, it is not a determinate of success!  As an example, one library (forgive me, who?) had an excess of huge cardboard boxes and decided to do a drive-in movie with kids making the boxes into cars (super cute!)  Although 75 people registered for the event, only 19 showed!!!

Other craft-related events:  3-D printing workshop, invite a ceramist (Judith, you mentioned Norma someone?), Zentangle workshop, etc.

Irondale has had success with another "zeitgeist" theme of Urban Homesteading.  Tapping into the Irondale Growers Group, she has been able to hold programs such as beekeeping and organic growing.

Has anyone taken advantage of Marie Kondo's The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing?  Or perhaps you'd prefer a musical program through the Birmingham Art/Music Alliance?

There are so many ideas!!!!  Take advantage of trends, retrospectives and good-feeling revivals to create popular and fun programming, collections and events!

January 17, 2019 ASRT Meeting at Springville Road, Topic: Alabama Bicentennial

Attendees:
Shannon, Hoover
David, BPL Central
Sunni, Gardendale
Samuel, Springville Road
Teresa, Southside
Holley, Mountain Brook
Leslie, Avondale
Deidre, Bessemer
Terri, Vestavia Hills
Jon, Avondale
Ginny, Leeds
Jiemin, BPL Central
Allison, Pinson
Leslie, Homewood
Maura, Trussville

First of all:  THANK YOU for a fabulous attendance number to start off our year!  Adult Services Roundtable is focused on adult services but EVERYONE is welcome to attend, post, suggest, stalk, etc.  And thanks go out to Springville Road for accommodating us!

We first talked about some issues that have been brought up recently.  As far as foreign language collections, i.e. collections in another language for adults, Hoover and BPL Central both have Spanish collections.  BPL Central also has a substantial Chinese collection.  Other libraries have smaller Spanish collections such as Bessemer and Trussville.  Don't forget to tell your Spanish patrons about our Overdrive collection too!

The State Library's Alabama Bicentennial touring exhibit will only be shown/exhibited at one library per county.  For Jefferson County, that will be the Hoover Library during the month of May downstairs in our Theatre gallery.  Please direct interested patrons to this wonderful exhibit.

Before Leslie got down to business (she has been researching and planning AL Bicentennial programs for over 6 months!), we discussed what others have been able to plan or suggest for programming:  

• https://www.makingalabama.org/bicentennial-scholars/ - Alabama Humanities Foundation has set up a scholars list that you can have come and speak.  There are guidelines on this site but the main thing is that any library can request one FREE speaker, then they start costing! (You do have to pay travel costs for speaker)  Book now though!
• http://alabama200.org/educators/primary-sources/ - The Alabama Bicentennial Commission has programs all over the state during this year.  Several are located at libraries: 1/8/19 Hoover, AL Geology; 1/30 Hoover, AL's Political History with John Archibald; 4/18 Vestavia, "Crooks, Scoundrels, and other Politicians".  At their "primary resources" you can find great resources to conduct your own programs!
• Alabama Historian, Jim Phillips has several AL-centric programs that he is putting on throughout the state (Contact: 205-991-8868).  For instance, at the Bessemer Library he will be presenting "Old Wagon Trails and Villages of Alabama Statehood".  Here's an article about one of his presentations: https://bit.ly/2Tarpzw
• Through Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at University of Alabama, there are some FREE speakers.  For example, Richard Rhone, retired History instructor, has some interesting programs available.  Contact Lois Strachan, Program Coordinator
  loiss.bama@ua.edu, (205) 348-8591 about becoming an OLLI site location.
• DON'T forget the Southern History Department downtown!!! They have already developed programs that will come to your library such as "Exploring your Alabama Roots".  Updated info:  "We do offer numerous genealogy programs that we are happy to offer to libraries throughout the county. See the attached for an updated list of our programs. Please note that some of the database classes are specific to BPL libraries only."  Thanks for that correction, you guys!!!  See the updated program offerings below:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Not to be selfish, but my husband, Dr. Randall Haddock, has studied the Cahaba River for 30 years and he does a mean program.  You can contact him at the Cahaba River Society at 205-322-5326 (X412) or randyh@cahabariversociety.org.
• Consider an Alabama-centric film series!
• Since I got away with name-dropping, Holley suggested getting in touch with the Alabama Auto Racing Pioneers group (her dad is featured!)  That might be a unique program! (Check it out here: https://aarpinc.org/)
• Maura suggested a wonderful speaker, Bill Deutsch author of Alabama Rivers:  a celebration and challenge.  His contact information is wdeutsch@acesag.auburn.edu, 334-844-9208.
• Author Glenn Wills, Forgotten Alabama, is also an invaluable resource for programming.  Here's a link to his blog: http://forgottenalabama.blogspot.com/.
• There is also Dr. Larry Davenport and Ken Wills, authors of Exploring Wild Alabama that might be available to speak.
• For more ideas, here is a schedule for Montgomery's AL Dept of Archives and History's 2019 Lunchtime Lecture Series "Food For Thought" : https://visitingmontgomery.com/calendar/event/food-for-thought-lunchtime-lecture-series.
• Here's an interesting article on artist Amy Peterson's traveling exhibit "Alabama Then and Now": http://www.hooversmagazine.com/alabama-then-and-now/
• Why not ask a local farmer or Co-op to come and speak?  They probably have tons of interesting things to talk about!
• Holley had Kelly Mason Wood from Grace Gardens come talk about Holiday decorating -- she can probably tailor an AL-centric talk!
• Michele Reynolds, a local expert on native plants *and* a phenomenal quilter, would be an excellent speaker on either topic!

Leslie shared a 9-page handout of her collection of AL-centric programming ideas that we discussed for much of the rest of the meeting.  That handout is available through Dropbox at https://bit.ly/2DvyHIQ.  ENJOY!!!

If your library has any other ideas/programs/suggestions, please share them!!!!!

Our next meeting will be Thursday, March 21, 2019 at the NEW Pinson Library.  Beginning at 10 am, we will discuss POPULAR CULTURE IN LIBRARIES.  This may mean collections, programming, movies, technology, etc.  How is popular culture challenging our library budgets?  What can you do to provide resources with such a high demand?  Come and find out!!!

November 15, 2018
Topic:  Reference Resources We Aren't Using

Attendees:
Shannon, Hoover
Deidre, Bessemer
Judith, Homewood
Emily, BPL
Michael Paul Lopez, Mountain Brook
Jon, Avondale
Bridget, Homewood
Heidi, Homewood
Edward, Homewood
Maura, Trussville
Bryce, Hoover

Thanks go out to both Michael and Bryce for bringing us new resources and showing us tricks with older resources!  This meeting was quite popular and might need to be an annual event, like the adult program swap!

Other things:  in the pipeline, AVL will be adding an Open Resource Directory allowing professors and teacher to post text and classroom assignments on the depository, hopefully cutting the costs of textbooks for students.

If you didn't already know, the Foundation Center Cooperative Database, which only BPL downtown and Hoover have on site, provides a wealth of information on grants for individuals and nonprofit organizations. Hoover routinely holds classes for the public on the use of this unique resource.  Another free resource is FoundationCenter.org which gives all types of information for granters and grantees.

Also, Hoover has begun to provide "Niche Academy" -- which is a link on our website.  This resource offers how-to videos on all types of resources -- such as Overdrive's Libby, Chilton's Auto Repair library, using GoodReads, Homework Help, Twitter, etc.  It also allows the host library to post self-made videos on unique resources.  This resource might benefit a library when helping patrons over the phone -- refer them to help videos on Niche instead of trying to walk them through it on the phone!  Evidently pricing is based on population but did not break the bank -- for more information, feel free to go through this online tutorial https://my.nicheacademy.com/help/course/1259 or contact the rep. Jim Wilson at jim@nicheacademy.com. 

Lastly, Bryce shared some unique features of ReferenceUSA that may be underutilized.  For instance, on the front page you can see where you can choose U.S. Consumers/Lifestyles...  Using consumer data, users are able to create lists of customers with predictive buying habits or predictive charitable giving patterns.  Using geographic limitors, an organization can narrow down by geography, type of charitable giving and, say, the type of car they own.  Lots of individuals and organizations pay top dollar for this type of consumer data.  And it's all here for free to those willing to dig for it!!!!

Also, if you've gotten rid of your Morningstar paper resource, simply google "FINRA Morningstar" or bookmark: http://finra-markets.morningstar.com/MarketData/Default.jsp
This site has the up-to-date market data.  It gives market indices and bond market activity available for your patrons.

Michael gave a presentation at JCPLA Staff Day several years ago and has updated it for our purposes.  Fortunately, Michael has given me a link to his presentation so that all of you can take advantage of the outstanding (and sometimes strange) resources available on the Internet.

The one resource that stuck out to me was GNOD.com.  Each point of the star let's you explore books, music, movies, art, products, using artificial intelligence to predict what you will like "The origin of Gnod is my interest in artificial intelligence and new user interfaces. Meanwhile we are 3 people working on the system and over 300,000 users use it each month to discover new things they might like."  It uses crowd sourcing and predictive analytics to present you with choices.  Very cool to use and very cool to show off to patrons!

Please link to the resources mentioned so that you can see what they do and how they can help you!  
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hsW6FIfCrIad8LC8_opc3MJqiHdkgieX/view

For those of you that cannot get to Google Drive, here is a handout of the resources Michael shared: 

Adult Services Round Table, Thursday, September 20, 2018

Topic:  Adult Program Swap

Attendance:

Deidre, Bessemer 

Leslie, Avondale

Melanie, Hoover

Shannon, Hoover

Maura, Trussville

Susan, Trussville

Terri, Vestavia Hills

Judith, Homewood

Jenn, Five Points West

Nancy, Leeds

Cynthia, BPL 

Leigh, North Birmingham  

Judith:  

September Reed has done both teen and adult programs on henna painting, flower crowns and more.  September.reed@gmail.com or Text Only to 205-242-1447. Reasonable rates.  Also, Bonard Hughins is a very versatile artist who can do painting parties, drawing classes, cartooning and anime (his main gig) and fossil art and calligraphy.  Bonardh@gmail.com or 205-602-1400.

"My Mystery Party" - teens and adults, pay and download prepared packages.  Although the packages are very involved, there is little for the librarian to actually do.  Character descriptions and instructions are given to participants and it is incumbent upon them to perform and act out the part.  Currently, I have in my possession the "Ravenwood Masquerade Murder" and "A Magical Murder at Toadwart Inn".  If anyone wants a copy, I can send them the information.  Perhaps if more libraries purchase different scripts, we can share them?  More is available from the company's website:  https://goo.gl/Rvvftj

"Let's Dish" Recipe Club - Judith has started this instead of a cookbook club because there are so few copies of cookbooks in the system.  This way, participants share successful recipes.  Perhaps bringing food will also be required??  YUM!

Below are some suggestions from Holley Wesley from Emmet O'Neal Library and Shannon Haddock from Hoover:

From Programming Librarian Facebook group and website:

• DIY Christmas Ornaments
• Upcycled Gift Wrap
• Adults-only Harry Potter Party!
• Winter Reading Bingo
• Hygge-themed Silent Reading Party
• Chair Yoga
• Chili Cookoff
• Giant Indoor Scrabble
• "Taking great photos of your kids"
• "Will it Waffle?"

It would beneficial to check out this group and their site!  http://www.programminglibrarian.org/  Also, their Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/groups/ProgrammingLibrarianInterestGroup/

Often you can ask live for suggestions for names of programs or poll the group on your own ideas.  Very worthwhile!!

Idea of Caregiver Support Group:  JeffCo Office of Senior Citizens or ALACare for possible moderators for such a group (recommended).

Idea of Reaching out to other groups:  LGBTQ individuals (Birmingham AIDS Outreach, Magic City Acceptance Center -- Amanda Keller is a great presenter and easy to work with)

Maura:
For those wanting photography classes:

Shades Valley Camera Club: https://www.shadesvalleycameraclub.com/

Jamie Keats: 

Keats Sinclair Photography, LLC

205.518.2038

jamie@keatssinclair.com

https://www.keatssinclair.com/

English Country Dance Classes: 

Lucy Lunsford - lucythevaliant1@gmail.com.

Author Robert Bailey (McMurtrie & Drake series):

Robert Bailey, thriller writer from Huntsville, author of 5 titles, would make a great guest author to have at your library.  His stories take place in Tuscaloosa and reading them will seem very familiar.

256-535-1100 (Office)
256-713-2211 (Direct)
Email: RNB@LanierFord.com

https://robertbaileybooks.com/

Thanks for all the contact info, Maura!

Deidre:

Programs that offer inform patrons of changes to Medicare, "Medicare and You." Maria Watkins, CEO at M. A. Watkins & Associates, 205-937-5452.  

"Conversations on Aging" bring together a variety of speakers to talk about pertinent issues.  Perhaps provide legal aide for those wishing to put together a legal will.

Is anyone doing or thought of doing adult coding classes???

Spotlight on (new) unique collections:

Avondale & Trussville - ukeleles

Vestavia Hills - hammocks

Homewood - telescopes

Terri:

Tai Chi Classes, teacher Kathy Hagood, http://mindbodyfitnessworks.blogspot.com/

Tangled Stones, Zentangle expert

Handouts with contact information at end of Minutes...

Leigh, North Birmingham:

African-American Poetry, read-aloud published or original, very popular

Five Points West, Jenn:

Hot Pepper Poetry (good with teens) have participants eat varying degrees of hot hot peppers while reciting/reading poetry.  (This sounds like a viral video waiting to happen!)

Adult Website Building

Irondale:

Make Your Own Art Journals (using old books)

Don't forget to contact Bib & Tucker Sewing Co-op for classes and presentations on general sewing or quilting.  4915B 5th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35222, bibandtuckersewop@gmail.com

Leslie, Avondale:

Podcast Discussion Group

Greeting Card Making class

Tangled Stones Studio Handout:

Public Relations and Marketing

July 19, 2018 Meeting Topic:  Public Relations and Marketing

Attendees:

Shannon, Hoover

Susan, Trussville

Terri, Vestavia Hills

Jon, Avondale

Maura, Trussville

Deidre, Bessemer

Michelle, Irondale

Pre-topic, we discussed the 2019 ASRT schedule -- I've got topics chosen (all but one month!)  I am putting out a plea for host locations (Clay, Pelham, Pinson, maybe?  anyone?)  We will be hitting the new Trussville library for our September 20, 2018 meeting.  I've already gotten volunteers for host locations in 2019 from Homewood and Vestavia.  Shoot me an email if you'd like to host!

The main focus for today's meeting was Canva.com.  Michelle from Irondale gave us an updated version of her JCPLA Staff Day talk from 2 years ago.  And, boy, has she improved her skills in those 2 years!  Working within the free online tool, you can quickly and confidently become a graphic designer pro!  Irondale opted to buy the base membership to Canva, allowing for a more diverse set of options such as graphics, etc.  However, Canva.com *free version* still does the trick for me!

The one thing we all agree is very valuable within Canva is that it gives you an enormous amount of examples of finished marketing promotions that you can take and change however you like.  Also, when designing something, you can pick just the right promotion format -- for example, you can choose Facebook post and it will already be the right dimensions for posting directly to Facebook.  Same goes with Twitter or a 3-fold flyer -- whatever it is, you can most likely find an example via the database and go to town making changes such as fonts, pictures, backgrounds, etc.

Michelle pointed out that she often uses the free picture database of Pixabay.com for items to download, then upload into Canva.com.  She does caution that Pixabay does sometimes direct you to pay-for-use sites such as Shutterstock so keep vigilant if you want the free stuff!

Michelle also lauded the Canva.com mobile app -- frequently she can design a Facebook post on the go or while doing other things (longggg meetings anyone??) and post them directly from the app.  There is also possible to print and download your works with an option to send it to one of the selected printing agencies used by Canva.  Michelle did point out that she has found these are not always the most cost effective.

It costs nothing to look into Canva and play around.  See if something new and bright and modern might make a display POP or make your social media posts go viral!

Michelle also showed us the new-and-improved Irondale Public Library website

https://www.irondalelibrary.org/

!  Very visually appealing with great functionality.  It was created and completed via input from a committee, which often makes things difficult but in this case brought diverse input and a great end product!  Thanks for sharing!  By the way, below are some examples of Michelle's handiwork.  She uses Publisher to create her monthly calendar but used Canva to create a small insert to the Irondale water bill -- the great "What can you do with your library card?"

Deidre from Bessemer wanted everyone to know about their upcoming Local Authors Expo on August 18th.  Entry is only $30 with authors welcome to sell their wares.  Give her a call or email if you'd like more details!

And, because our September 20th meeting is our annual Adult Program Swap, we did discuss the use of "My Mystery Plays".  Michelle says she has bought her 2nd "kit" to use with her teens.  I am still trying to find the  best time to do one with our adults at Hoover!  So far, about four different libraries have bought kits which include scripts and detailed information for characters and settings.  Basically it's a live-action game of Clue with patrons acting as the possible criminal.  Many libraries have reported great success with these!  We hope to make all the existing kits/scripts available for free at the September meeting in case anyone want to give it some consideration.  Caution:  this is labor intensive on the librarian's side as you do have to have a top-down understanding of all the working parts.  I'm looking forward to trying it!

In preparation for the meeting, I put together what is essentially a screen-shot from PLA about Marketing that includes some webinar information (essential!!) along with templates (including Canva.com!) and some of my own websites I've grown to love.

Check it out here:  PLA Marketing Strategies

So, don't forget September's Adult Program Swap -- bring your ideas, small inklings of ideas, contacts, bring your successes and your failures.  We will swap, shop, talk all of them and hopefully update the existing adult programming database/spreadsheet!!!  See you then!