September - October Marketing Update

  • Posted on: 20 September 2018
  • By: Chad Glamann

September was a busy month! The end of SLP, kids heading back to school, the kick-off to Library Card Sign-up Month and finally winding down with Banned Books Week. October looks to be just as action packed with Teen Read Week, National Friends of Libraries Week and my personal favorite holiday, Halloween!

Teen Read Week

Teen Read Week encourages readers from 12 to 18 years old to “Read For The Fun Of It” and there are several resources available to highlight the promotion for teens, their parents, librarians and educators.

National Friends of Libraries Week

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the National Friends of Libraries Week. This event celebrates the role that friend groups play in the community and helps to encourage membership drives and recognition by library boards and trustees. To help draw attention to your friends group there are 2 different poster and bookmark designs available for printing. Here are links to version 1 and version 2 of the posters, and version 1 and version 2 of the bookmarks. You can also download additional publicity materials including a template for a press release and letter to the editor.

System Marketing Cohort Update

I recently attended a marketing meetup comprised of marketing and communications staff from several systems across the state. We had a very productive session filled with idea sharing and discussion. The group plans on meeting regularly throughout the year. Some of the discussion points that were explored include:

  • Using trending hashtags on social media to encourage more conversation and visibility.
  • Leaving audiobook resource information for over the road truck drivers at truck stops, etc.
  • Creating signage kits for onsite events and activities.
  • Distributing press release templates to facilitate media outreach.
  • Highlighting internet access to rural areas.
  • Using your library card at local establishments to get a discount on certain days or weeks.
  • Working with area middle schools to set up a field trip day where each student would get a library card and check out an item.

Planned Giving

During the last director’s meeting there was interest in putting together a brochure to leave with community funeral homes and financial planners that contains information on contributing to the library through planned giving. There were several examples I found online that other libraries have put together as well as resources available on the ALA website. Here is a  template that was designed for Marion Public Library using their logo and color scheme. The flyer is set up so that I can incorporate different visuals and wording specific to your library. Please reach out to me if you would like to set something up.

Halloween

It's time to break out that spooky or kooky costume, eat your body weight in candy (except candy corn, that stuff is a travesty) and curl up with a scary book...Halloween is coming! If you have any Halloween themed events or activities and need a poster or any promotional items created, I would love to help. Here is a sample of a recent poster that was the perfect fit  for the season. There is still time to get your orders in before the ghosts and ghouls are out in full force.