Libraries are ESSENTIAL!

Libraries provide essential services, particularly in tough economic times. Publicity materials based on statistics, comments, and photos collected during SnapshotVA 2011 are provided here so that the value of libraries can be advertised throughout the year.  Print these items for distribution in your library and send them to local officials, trustees, schools, senior centers, community agencies, and Friends groups.  If you need any help printing or distributing these advocacy items please contact Sean Bonney.

Our kick-off campaign consists of posters and bookmarks that highlight the essential nature of libraries in two different ways.  Both series are based on the same statistics and photos, but appeal to viewers from different angles—facts and voices.

ESSENTIAL FACTS

The Essential Facts series tells our story using amazing statistics and compelling photographs.  Given how busy our libraries are as community centers “in just one day,” it’s impressive to consider what this means for the impact of library services every single day.

Available in this set are nine posters covering all of the essential statistics captured in SnapshotVA 2011.  Photographs from around the state illustrate these facts.

Download the Essential Facts posters as a 9-page PDF.
 

 

 

Also available in this set are three bookmarks. Print these with your library hours, branch locations,  or special programs on the back!

Download the Essential Facts bookmarks as a 3-page PDF.

ESSENTIAL VOICES

The Essential Voices series quotes our patrons as they  express why libraries are important to them.

Available in this set are ten posters highlighting quotes and photographs that illustrate essential library services.

Download the Essential Voices posters as a 10-page PDF.
 

 

 

Also available in this set are nine bookmarks.

Download the Essential Voices bookmarks as a 9-page PDF.

 

Once you have these advocacy items, how do you best use them?

 

Get the message out to your patrons.

There are many focused ways to communicate with patrons starting with:

  • Display posters around your branches—circulation posters at the checkout desk, reference posters in your reference area, etc.
  • Insert bookmarks into checked out items.
  • Put up posters touting meeting room stats and quotes in your public meeting spaces.
  • Display computer use publicity in your busy public computer stations.
  • Hand out a selection of pieces with new library cards.
  • Put some posters on an easel to bring out during storytimes and other programs.

 

Get the message out to your community.

Consider how to best reach out to groups in your community that benefit from library service:

  • Stay in close contact with budgetary decision makers, send one poster each month with a short note.
  • Send packets of posters to local schools and training institutions.
  • Suggest to social service groups that they display posters on library outreach programs.
  • Send volunteer publicity to service groups and schools which may be looking for opportunities to serve.
  • Empower your Friends! Provide publicity items at Friends meetings for library supporters to take out into the community.

 

What about creating your own campaign?

A wealth of statistics, comments, and photos have been collected this year for you to use throughout the year.  There are many ways you can use these assets:

  • Create your own publicity materials, with your library logo and local spin.
  • Use the quotes  and photos in your annual report.
  • Include an article in your newsletter highlighting what these statistics say about your busy library.
  • Share the results and your plan for distributing advocacy materials with your board.
  • Put a Snapshot button on your website and link to the Flickr photo group.
  • Make a slide show of the Flickr photos and run it in your library near the checkout desk.
  • Make bold signs with your customer comments and photos for display throughout your library.
  • Design your own handouts to share with local officials and Friends.
  • Send an email blast to your customer list or community contacts featuring quotes and statistics.
  • Display a slideshow on your local cable channel.
  • Provide your best photos, comments, and statistics to your local newspaper.  Include the names and phone numbers of patrons who are willing to be interviewed.

Libraries are ESSENTIAL!

It’s important to continue to spread the word.  More advocacy campaigns are planned throughout the budget cycle to focus on specific areas of library service.  If you have any questions, requests, or feedback, please feel free to contact Sean Bonney.