Monday, December 22, 2008

PaLA Board Vote

The PaLA Board met on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 and unanimously supported the creation of a Rural and Small Libraries Roundtable.

Thank you everyone!

Now the fun begins.

Keep an eye on your inbox. A googlegroup is being created to keep everyone informed of activity.

Thanks again and Happy Holidays!!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Stories

We have been working with a PR/Marketing consultant. We thought we could just hire someone and they would "do everything". That isn't how it works, really.

Constant marketing of library services requires us to "think differently". I have noticed a "mindset" shift in myself. I am constantly looking at how other "industries" are marketing their goods/services.

One of the first things we learned was to keep a notebook on us at all times in order to jot down ideas, examples and stories. We are working to collect stories that will "sell" library services for us: examples of great things that are happening in libraries. Those stories will help us make connections with potential funders and communicate to our current funders the importance of our services.

Rural & Small Libraries and Bookmobile & Outreach Services touch people's lives everyday. Please email me your stories. I would like to add a "stories" link to this site.

rsbroundtable@myway.com

Monday, November 10, 2008

More Cows...

Thank you everyone for your attendance and support. I have gotten so much positive feedback and offers for assistance.

I'm carrying around the petition. Look for the cow hanging off the clipboard. I'm up to 64!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Getting Started

Pennsylvania is the home of Clarion University's "Center for the Study of Rural Librarianship".

72% of Pennsylvania's libraries are classified as small (serving populations of less than 25,000).

Isn't it time to create a voice/gathering place/resource for rural and small libraries?!

It is my intent to form a Roundtable within the Pennsylvania Library Association in order to create this voice.

The first step will be gathering the 100 signatures required to create the Roundtable. Please join me at this year's annual conference in Valley Forge. A session entitled "More Cows than People" will be held Sunday, November 9, 3:30 p.m. We will be discussing our vision for this Roundtable, brainstorming goals and objectives, as well as what rural and small libraries really "need" to help them succeed. Think about what you would like to see from such a Roundtable and join me in Valley Forge. If you are unable to attend the annual conference (as most rural and small libraries cannot)--please email me your feedback. tanner@citlib.org