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I've been floating around at sea, contemplating the profession and have returned to life as a librarian. I split my time now between a specialized science library and a college art library in part-time positions.
What I've realize is that my premise that selling your collections -- and housing sell-able collections is more important than ever.
Just this morning I was at a Wendy's listening to people. One needed a class and connection to a Genealogy collection, another a connect to business resources and another group simply needed to know about the Foundation Center.
I submit to you -- the voices of those who need what we have are active, loud and constant.
As librarians, we need to pay attention to people from the reference desk to the check out line. The check out line in the local supermarket.
What people want from us is hardly a mystery. What programs would work -- not a question that merits a survey.
Listen your way to your next programming calendar. |
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the library profession to go live on a boat with a chainsaw artist.
Seriously.
I think you can still go through this and sellitwithsizzle.com to get some pretty good ideas.
If I come back to the work, I'll continue this journal.
Meantime, there's a lot of new things to learn. Which was one of the key reasons I always enjoyed the profession -- it provided fuel and skill for my boundless curiousity.
Be well.
Rhonda K. Kitchens |
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This is the type of even that gives the user a five senses/emotion/action/interaction tour of your product or service.
For example:
HyPe Gallery – the gallery event that introduced HP printing products and projectors to the engaged, interested audience it sought. On the way - they created an international scene.
Read up an article by an Experiential Marketing guru - Bernd Schmitt, Columbia Business School. For more information, review his book: 'Experiential Marketing : How to Get Customers to Sense, Feel, Think, Act, Relate'
See a how-to article by Diane Armbuster, "Experiential Marketing Comes Alive." Armbuster discusses a 5 part strategy.
A program I think has the great experiental marketing in the library is supporing National Novel Writing Month, where participants write a novel in one month. We have the resources to really connect with a variety of old and new patrons. We could promote writing night marathons, promote use of wireless, demonstrate research/fact finding, provide writing lectures, post a board of progress, create a brainstorming atmosphere and in general provide a month worth of doing what libraries actually do very well. |
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See more at: Sellitwithsizzle.com
Month One:
Review the “So What” List answering relevant questions about your program.
Also at:
http://www.sellitwithsizzle.com/sowhat.htm
Begin Mailing List, both physical and e-mail addresses.
ARead local papers looking for: Promotion lists, meetings, events, activities and locals in the news. Also keep eye out for reporters/columnists that may have an interest in library program/resource stories
ASearch Gale’s Ready Reference Shelf and other local lists of community organizations.
AIdentify local government entities that may hand out flyers or make referrals
Recommended Reading:
Guerilla marketing for free : 100 no-cost tactics to promote your business and energize your profits / Jay Conrad Levinson.
Design Flyer: Don’t forget the Who, What, When, Why and How
Write Press Releases and PSAs
Recommended Reading: Guerrilla publicity : hundreds of sure-fire
tactics to get maximum sales for minimum dollars / by Jay Conrad
Levinson
Also, University of West Florida’s Advertising/Public Relations
Bibliography
http://www.lib.uwf.edu/eli/Arts/PublicRelations.shtml
Put together a bibliography/handout and use in a in-library display.
Secure space and make a list of technological and other program needs.
Ask for suitable hand-outs from publications, organizations or government groups to supplement program. This activity may also set up a future basis for a partnership or outreach opportunity.
MONTH TWO:
Mail flyers to persons on physical address list.
E-mail press release to e-mail list.
Mail Press Releases and PSAs to local media. Take time to hand sell and personalize information to sources with which you maybe familiar. If you think your program would be make a good topic for a mid-day television, write them and tell them so. Address to individual reporters or section as possible.
Recommended Reading:
Marth’s Florida Guide (listing of Florida's daily newspapers, news services, periodicals, press associations, program managers, radio and television stations, special publications, and weekly newspapers.)
Beginning of Month Three:
Make sure room set-up requirements are still in order.
Think if there are any last minute prospects or opportunities to promote the program. For instance, a meeting you can speak at or a new event listing you missed in your first publicity mailing.
Make copies of handouts after reviewing for any last minute revisions.
Create a handout package including library information, event calendars, hours and other upcoming programs.
DESIGN a simple feedback form for the program if you don’t have a standard one. Ask open ended questions in order to get more feedback and solid leads on where to go from here.
AFTER: Send thank you notes to
absolutely everyone who helped you out. |
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Garr Reynolds has a blog on tips, trends and ideas on presentations.
Reynolds is "currently Associate Professor of Management at Kansai Gaidai University where he teaches Marketing, Global Marketing and Multimedia Presentation Design. Garr is active in the Japanese community and can often be found presenting on subjects concerning design, branding, and effective corporate communications." |
| » Find programs ideas in your newspaper |
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A quick read through a free local weekly paper gives me about 9 ideas for programming, outreach and partnerships.
“Bar Fliers Spark Mother’s Concern” – A mother who participates in the Guardian Ad Litem program believes children should be protected.
“The Carrollwood Area Business Association plans an After Five Networking Event.”
“The Fern Garden Club meets to discuss herbs…”
“Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Tampa Bay meets…”
“Tampa Bay Camera club meets..”
“Lifelink Speakers available….”
“The Academy Barbershop chorus meets…”
“Tampa Bay runners hold…”
“The Bay Area Sleep Diagnostic Center will host…”
Start building a contact list by subject heading. Make your own programming directory based on the resources in your neighborhood.
Sep. 7th, 2005 @ 12:43 pm
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| » I really want to do a Veterans program |
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I've written this organization and they replied thusly:
Your ideas sound really interesting and could add a new dimension to our program...and yours. Keep thinking on it and keep in touch. If I can help or provide additional information, please let me know.
And, visit our website at www.veteransvoices.org
This organization is run by volunteers who go to Veteran's hospitals and record stories told by Veterans. These stories are published in a magazine by the same name.
I want to somehow use this program and turn the stories into blogs.
I haven't figured out a way to make it so. But talking to people and organizations, I will.
Aug. 22nd, 2005 @ 11:52 am
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| » This |
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is a part of my 1-2-3 program recipe. When brainstorming a program idea marry up ideas from the 3 columns to get an idea for a program.
The quote to consider for the day is:
“Big shots are only little shots who keep shooting” --
Christopher Morley
Aug. 10th, 2005 @ 09:39 am
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| » What happens to Good Librarians in Bad Libraries? |
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I wanted to provide some tips and hope for librarians working on programs or library events who have little or no support.
Don't give up.
If you have ideas that have been shot down, altered, stolen, compromised, Co-opted or laughed at; save them. There is no such thing as wasted effort. What fails today, may find a home tomorrow. Many administrations change drastically. The library flavor of the month maybe the gem you have in your notebook...eventually.
If it is a really great idea, take it to another agency. You can volunteer to do it for another agency/association on your own time but make a note of that with your supervisor for review time. You can still get credit for something doing it as an outreach event, particulary if the association/agency specifically requests you. Always talk about your ideas to others. It helps them find a home. It never hurts to read a few good books on networking and sales even as a librarian.
What if you have a publicity department that doesn't really care to focus their efforts on your community? Cultivate your own media contacts. If you're prohibited from doing your own publicity, drop your story idea informally to a reporter you think has an interest or has written/covered similar activities. Read your local papers, spedicifically the small weekly ones diligently.
Drop notices about your program to relevant associations and groups. This also helps turn your program into an outreach event.
Libraries are like any business or organization. There are good and bad people. Things change. Climates shift. Keep faith in yourself and work every avenue you have to promote library services and resources to the people that need the most.
In this you are always win-win. You can always be a Good Librarian, even in a bad place.
Aug. 4th, 2005 @ 10:45 am
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| » This begins my 9 week countdown... |
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I love programming. Working in an environment which works more against one than with one is disheartening. I work in a place where suggestions are more likely to be met with spite and lectures.
Yet I do go on. As do others. I write down lists of what I would do. I take what shreds of something I have left and try to make the best of the ruins. I will and have sat in a poorly promoted program and set my teeth into it like a starving animal – for whatever crowd I may have.
I’ll always think of a library who sets its programming goals high but acts so low to those with a calling to programming/teaching/promoting library services be entirely the worst example of what this profession is about. I’m not looking to feather my nest, I’m looking to make a difference one risk, one step, one issue at a time.
I plan to give notice at my current job in 9 weeks whether or not I’ve secured another place of employment. I’m done. And in being done, I no longer have anything to fear but my own inaction.
In these weeks I want to explore a variety of issues within my narrow little box. I’m going to scrap a little. I’m going to dream a little. I’m going to tell you how tough it is to run like a blindfolded stallion in a field of bees.
I'm also going to further detail and create on "cyber-paper" a plan for the following programming issues I see a lot of opportunity in:
1) Government web sites. I began as a Government Document librarian and remain faithful to the cause of getting information to the people. As so much information, forms and documents are put on the web, librarians need to be more proactive in securing training from government entities, doing online tutorials for self-training, producing programs for both internal/external/outreach audiences and trying to find out ways to be helpful to populations who are often facing harsh issues of technological literacy.
2) Singles. Work on solid, fun, information/book based talk-worthy programs with a lot of heart. Single householders showed up as the majority in the last census.
3) Blogs for the elderly. Produce a program that teaches older persons or persons working with older persons how to blog so as to save their lives in cyberspace for a wider audience than they could ever have imagined. This takes storytelling past the mashed potatoes on Sunday to people who can connect with real lives, real experiences and the warmth of the human.
Aug. 3rd, 2005 @ 04:55 pm
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| » I've updated my |
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"Free Money for Artists/Writers" Powerpoint on my site, Sellitwithsizzle.com
Aug. 1st, 2005 @ 12:08 pm
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| » A program I proposed to a government entity in order to promote library resources... |
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To date, I have received no feedback but someone asked to use my materials for their program.
Subject of Suggestion:
Did you know the library has an online resource that can be accessed from home that would help you with your grammar? Or help you get up to speed on math skills? The library even has a resource that can help you learn to speak Spanish.
Over half of students in the college/university system are nontraditional students. That is, they are over 25, working a full time job and often have dependents. Concerns of this group are getting to library services and finding enough time to do their work. The fears they face are so great that the greatest percentage do not make it past the first year.
Many County employees are nontraditional students trying to advance themselves economically. Many are able to take advantage of the tuition reimbursement program. From the County’s website: Hillsborough County info:” TUITION REIMBURSEMENT - Employees may be reimbursed up to $1000.00 per fiscal year for classes at an accredited college or university that enhances their ability to perform current job duties. Executive Employees Only: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - 40 Hours per year for each executive employee required to develop an annual professional development plan.
In order to provide these employees with an additional safety net and support, Library Services and the Human Resources training department should join together to present an on site program called: “Back to School…Again” offered at City Center and other locations with computer facilities.
This program would highlight books, databases, remedial issues and tips to help the returning student them make the grade, find a study style, learn time management, grasp modern research techniques and other issues of concern when going back to school – again.
Additionally, should this program be a success, it could be used in the community as outreach to other companies with tuition reimbursement programs and to also show prospective companies looking at the Tampa Bay area County services that improve both work and quality of life. Local companies with tuition reimbursement programs include Raymond James, GTE, Bright House and Verizon.
Also, many other Human Resources departments in companies offer ongoing training to their employees. For instance, Tropical Sportswear offers a “Tropical University, the in-house training division that offers courses in everything from internal programs to English, Spanish and smoking cessation.” ( Tampa Tribune, July 2002). By developing in-house programs that have application in the business community, the County
Describe the present method or condition. Be specific. Document your statements.
Presently there is no program like this and to the best of my knowledge, the Library hasn’t been used as a resource to enhance County worker’s work or personal lives. Programs such as “Write a School Paper using Word” are scheduled for teens in the afternoon. “Intro to the Library’s Web Site: hcplc.org” is offered in the mornings, but doesn’t remotely suggest to a potential attendee the vast resources that this class could present to the returning student.
The library’s website is a rich community resource that has application from business’s generating business leads to running your own book discussion group to writing research papers at home. In the past year and ½ I have put on a successful class called “50 Ways to Find New Business @Your Library” that taught a mere fragment of what the site offers.
Describe your suggestion. State how and where it can be used. (Include drawings, sample forms, or other information in File Upload Area below.)
With many people participating in online classes, the traditional semester format no longer exists. This program could be offered every other month or once a quarter. For those signing up for tuition reimbursement for the first time, it should be a part of the benefits package to insure their success and provide them with additional support. If they are unable to attend, class materials could be provided to them for their review. While some colleges require that new students take a Library Resources class, many online courses do not. And those that do, teach their resources and not necessarily the County library’s resources. Additionally, these classes would be presented so that attendees would be in a class with their peers where they would feel more comfortable asking questions and even communicating with the librarian outside of the class.
The class would be no more than two hours. Depending on the availability of a computer lab, it could be offered as hands on or as a class format.
Describe benefits to the County. Explain how it will increase productivity; eliminate waste; eliminate or reduce expenditures; generate additional revenue; or improve operations or safety.
• By providing support, education and a framework where further assistance could be sought by the nontraditional student; the County would be getting a better employee, a more productive citizen, improving family’s opportunities and strengthening its tuition reimbursement program.
• Students who are able to complete their studies strengthen the County’s economic base and build a better workforce.
• Meets the Library and County’s goal of an informed populace and promotes the positive way tax payer dollars are used.
• While many other counties have built joint use facilities with Community Colleges and other higher learning centers, this county has yet to do so. Most returning students have dependents, dependents that are more readily welcomed into public libraries where family’s can research and study together. The class would also demonstrate how many projects could be done online so that many assignments could be done from home or on a lunch break. This would ease issues of childcare and time management.
• According to the U.S. Department of Education, adults enroll in college for both personal enrichment and to obtain additional skills for career advancement. Supporting such goals makes Hillsborough County an attractive employer and community positive.
Aug. 1st, 2005 @ 11:15 am
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| » EXAMPLE OF E-MAIL I Used to build audience and interest in a business program |
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Jen: I'm a librarian at the XXXX Branch Library and found your name listed in the referral groups for XXXXX Chamber of Commerce. I wanted to let you know about a program we're having at the library to overview some of our databases. Please share this with your group or anyone you feel that may be interested. I expect that the program should take only an hour. This is also a program I can do formally and informally if you have any questions.
Information as follows:
Free Ways to Find New Business @ Your Library
April 21, 2005 @ 9am
ADDRESS/PHONE
Learn how to find business leads using resources available @your library, including books on recent and traditional sales and management techniques, locating leads online, prospect research and marketing research. Limit 35 on a first come-first serve basis.
Rhonda K. Kitchens
Librarian
Jul. 31st, 2005 @ 05:17 pm
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| » July! Its a great time to plan for October Library Programs |
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If you don't put together a yearly programming schedule ( recommended), most library programs benefit from at the very least a 3 month planning schedule.
October is National Cookie month. Why not try a “build a better cookie” program demonstrating library holdings and showing recipe sites from a variety of angles. If you want to make it sweeter, run a cookie contest judged by a local celeb complete with a bibliography handout for the event.
October is also dental hygiene month. Work with the local version of the American Dental association to put together a great program on the best possible smile. If the ADA doesn’t have enough freebies, contact larger companies of toothbrushes, floss and dental products so you can have some things to handout for the event. “Brush up on brushing” “Ten Tips To A Better Smile”
It is also National Medical Librarians Month. Contact a local medical librarian and ask her/him to come in and talk about good, useful and safe online medical information sites. This is a win win program where the medical librarian gets to give her/his institution a human face and you get a program from someone who knows the topic well.
Jul. 11th, 2005 @ 12:26 pm
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| » Update the Book Discussion Group |
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by teaching people how to run their own book discussion groups.
* Teach Catalog use by demonstrating how to find materials
* Introduce reader's advisory resources/literary criticism in print and online. Make sure to include genre fiction. ( NoveList and MagillOnLiterature Plus )
* Create a multi-week class or long day that will include live discussion
practice using short stories or poems
* Provide bibliography including such books as: Nancy Pearl's Book Lust or So Many Books So Little Time by Sara Nelson
* Provide bibliography including online sources.
* Provide bibliography that includes suggested book discussion group topics such as:
State ( Florida - http://faculty.mccfl.edu/Jonesj/Flbib/Flbibindex.html )
True Crime
Women Writers
No Happy Endings
* Use the class as an opportunity for outreach. Suggest it to a Leads or business group and help them select topical business books of interest. Look at the book discussion model set up by the magazine Fast Company and consider beginning your own version. Go do a poetry discussion at an assisted living facility. Gather some single women together and help them launch a modern fiction reading group.
* Definitely do publicity on the class, explain the popularity of the book discussion group and provide reporters with a chance to write up a great feature that demonstrates the library's continuing relevancy in the community.
Jul. 1st, 2005 @ 01:28 pm
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| » Program Ideas and Explanations for thinking out of the box for a technology program... |
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Rhonda's Program Ideas...
EXAMPLES...
Adult Education: Over 50% of students are over 25, how are you reaching them?
Announcement: Promote new features on old products and old products you should feature
Bootcamp: Take the new focus from a talk show or a magazine covers and turn it into a product or service feature
Contest: Use a give-away to build a mailing list for related programs. Introduce a competition for a “user’s guide” to a new or old product. Provide a competition for “at home” use of Excel. Orchestrate an animation contest for teens. Promote online products with scavenger hunt style event.
Demo: Demonstration. Could be for a class, a group or impromptu. Brief, hands-on or part of a Media Event.
Exhibition: Online craft/art fair/museum: Set up a gallery of art, history or cultural interest. Young Adult animation or art projects. Put local oral history projects online.
For Dummies Way: Micro-specific, targeted view of explaining subject at hand in the most jargon-free, easy way possible. Examples: “straight-talking” “plain-english” “sensible.” Promote to your community… Word for Blockheads, Barely Know Series…
Others...Rhonda's Program Ideas...
Jun. 15th, 2005 @ 04:08 pm
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| » A Different Drummer: The One with the Loudest Drum |
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Henry DeVries of the New Client Marketing Institute researched how to find new clients. His research demonstrated the best ways to get new people interested in your product or service was:
Small scale seminar
Giving speeches
Getting published
Networking in a proactive way
Participating in organizations
Take your top 5 reference questions and see how you can turn them into opportunities on each of these levels.
For instance the "Do you have a simple will form?" can be turned into a small scale seminar inviting local lawyers to speak on wills. Give speeches to community groups on "10 Free Legal Forms You Can Find @Your Library." Write up a press release or quick story for a local newspaper on the same topic. Go to a local legal associations meeting and introduce yourself to 10 people taking time to exchange business cards, write 3 people and ask them how you could help them...and find out how they could help you. Be visible in your community via a cross section of organizations, handing out a flyer of the library's legal resources at meetings.
Include a small disclaimer as necessary.
Jun. 10th, 2005 @ 04:30 pm
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| » It is time to plan for a September Seminar...4 weeks:4 Programs:1 Anchoring Idea |
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College Savings Month -- invite financial planners, local college financial aid advisers, bank loan officers and college representatives to do a seminar on college planning, financiing and scholarships. Round out the month with preparing for college tests using premium products you may have such as Tutor.com or Learning Express. Ideas for name, "Four Weeks To College" with weekly events.
Self Improvement Month -- invite organizing professionals, life coaches, alternative health professionals, personal coaches or nutritionists. Round it out with annotated bibliographies of books, tapes, DVDs and other available materials.
Jun. 7th, 2005 @ 08:10 pm
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