What is your library doing to help in these tough economic times?

If ever you need to be marketing the services you are creating for these tough times, it is now! Some libraries are getting great results using Facebook, POP displays and web content. Word of Mouth is playing a big role out there. When people are happy with your service they will spread the word, make sure you give them the tools to share with friends. If you are giving ongoing series of workshops, consider making up business appointment cards with the name of the series printed on it and a blank space where you can write in the date of the next workshop?


Don't forget if you are hosting webinars, your customers are already online so be sure to utilize Facebook, Twitter and your blog. Not only are you reaching your target audience but they are great tools to let other people spread the word online.

Keep the conversation going, make sure you are collecting suggestions for new programs and be on the alert for new problems that begin to emerge. Now, more than ever, it is important to make sure you are allowing people to give feedback about your services.

JOB SEARCH KITS
I love this idea from Topeka and Shawnee County Library. They are offering "Job Search Kits" to help people with their job searching.

Each kit includes:

• Knock ‘em dead 2009 : the ultimate job search guide by Martin Yate Rebound: a proven plan for starting over after job loss by Martha Finney
  The resume handbook by Arthur Rosenberg
• Office 2007 simplified by Sherry Kinkoph
• What color is your parachute? by Richard N. Bolles
• Brochures and pamphlets from local organizations
  

EXTRA HOURS
King County Library System stayed open an extra hour for a week in May and has launched a terrific campaign called, "Look to Your Library Now more than ever". They have created a series of commercials that I am just wild about and am hoping folks from Jersey will make a few like them for their libraries.

HOUSING FAIR

Here in NJ we are hosting a statewide housing fair with representatives from government agencies and not-for-profit organizations specializing in housing issues on hand to talk with people face-to-face. Some of our libraries have taken training into help people fill out unemployment forms, others have set up some great programs for writing resumes