ALA's 'Empowering Voices, Transforming Communities'

And speaking of ALA presidents... 

I've been watching for months as current president Molly Raphael worked with a group to shape her initiative, "Empowering Voices, Transforming Communities." It officially launched at Midwinter in January. Here's the idea: 

Building on the advocacy initiatives of previous ALA Presidents, Molly Raphael’s Presidential Initiative will focus on engaging our communities to advocate for libraries and their value, based on factors that matter to communities and their leaders. Libraries of all types need to rely on partners in the community to advocate on their behalf more than ever before. To make that happen, the library community first needs to know what will motivate these potential partners. What are the aspirational goals of our communities? What do we need to do to transform libraries and librarianship? How do we create active advocacy campaigns in each of our communities that is empowering our constituents to speak out for libraries?

A series of webinars starts this week. The first one is Thursday. It's free, but you need to register for it. I've already signed up! Details: 

“Transforming Libraries” Thursday, March 8, 20122 p.m. – 3 p.m. CST.
Visionary professor R. David Lankes, author of  the award-winning “Atlas of New Librarianship,” and Barbara Stripling, Co-Chair of ALA President Molly Raphael’s Empowering Voices, Transforming Communities initiative, will host a free webinar designed to stimulate conversation about harnessing the evolving role of libraries and strengthening the librarian’s voice to help shape community perception. Registration for the webinar is mandatory.  Visit https://ala.ilinc.com/register/cjvsffz to sign up today.

All of our libraries need more advocates to spread the message of how useful they are. Remember, kudos mean more coming from someone else than from a library employee. I hope you'll join colleagues from across the country in learning about and implementing this. 

And, if you'll be at PLA next week, there's a session about it there as well (Thursday, 3/15, at 2pm). Keep an eye on the website to learn more. 

Why I'm Voting for Gina Millsap

Have you ever met someone and thought they would be a perfect match for a job? Every time I talk with Gina Millsap, I think what a great ALA President she would make. So with elections around the corner I thought I'd share with you why I think that.

I first met Gina years ago at Computers in Libraries. She was bubbling with excitement because her marketing person had introduced her to a new world of demographics and they were building a new system that would allow them to target audiences. The more she spoke, the more I was impressed. Sure I liked the idea that she was going to use marketing the way it needed to be used in a library, but more so because she she had listened to what her marketing person said and then brought together her people to figure out how it would work. This was not a top down, do what I want kind of manager. I liked that.

In that same conversation she spoke about bringing together a team of people and how valuable it was to create a space where all those voices could be heard. She also spoke about how it may be more difficult to come up with solutions that address all the needs, but it was essential for change to be successful. Of course, to her it wasn't a problem because her strength was facilitating diverse ideas. I liked that.

I think ALA needs a president who is a natural facilitator.

To me, it feels as though ALA is all over the place. I have friends that fit into almost every category possible and when I listen them, it's if they are each in a separate organization. ALA needs to find its story. And that story needs to include the voices of everyone. That's a tall order and will require someone who can facilitate solutions.

I know Gina will give marketers a voice in those discussions but I also like that she is addressing the need for ALA to incorporate the voices from our ethnic caucuses. I like that she values the voices of our cutting edge thinkers. I like that she is insisting all of our voices must be incorporated into the direction ALA will take to to move forward.

What you may not know about her is that she still works the floor a couple of days a week and even answers reference questions from her office. I like that.

Coming from the Midwest, she has a down to earth approach to working with people that in my mind translates beautifully no matter what part of the country you come from. She believes most problems can be resolved by getting to know what both sides are thinking. She listens, really listens, to new ideas and is able to help people connect the dots without losing track of where they wanted to go.

Gina is smart, funny and articulate.

She is ready to tackle tough issues. Because her solutions are based on making sure both sides get what they need, I think she'll help solve the struggle libraries are facing with publishers and e-books.

And most of all, she has seen the impact marketing has had on her library and I believe she will be a force that will usher in a new era for all of us who are committed to marketing libraries.

I am voting for Gina because I want her as my president.  -Nancy

**Disclaimer
The views expressed here are mine alone. I've never taken a public stand for any ALA candidate but I have reached a period in my life when I think it's important to support the people who will take ALA in the direction I think it needs to go. Gina and Barbara are both very well qualified and I will fully support whoever gets into office.

Computers in Libraries Welcomes Marketers

March 21-23, Washington, D.C.

If you are involved with the marketing of your your library, then the place to be this year is Computers in Libraries. Our fearless leader, Jane Dysart, has filled the program with amazing programs of special interest to marketers. 


Janie Hermann and I are hosting an entire track. Look at the line up of people we have lined up.  Every single program will be of value to you. 


Leveraging Your Social Media to Gain Friends and Influence People
Julie Theado, Social Media Manager, Columbus Metropolitan Library


No More ExcusesJanie L Hermann, Public Programming Librarian, Princeton Public Library
Nancy Dowd, Project Lead LibraryAware, EBSCO Publishing and and Novelist


Twitter, Ads, and QR Codes ... Oh My!
Janie L Hermann, Public Programming Librarian, Princeton Public Library
Buffy J. Hamilton, Librarian, Creekview High School
Jamie Hollier, Project Coordinator, Colorado Public Computer Centers, Colorado State Library
Andrea Snyder, Job & Career Information Center Manager, Enoch Pratt Free Library




Build Online Communities Like the Pros
Jamie Hollier, Project Coordinator, Colorado Public Computer Centers, Colorado State Library
Tynan Szvetecz, President, Commerce Kitchen


Ideas to Steal: 11 Free Marketing Strategies
Lindsay Sarin, E-Reference Librarian, University of the District of Columbia
Julie Strange, Statewide Coordinator, Maryland AskUsNow!
Andrea Snyder, Job & Career Information Center Manager, Enoch Pratt Free Library

Still yearning to learn more? 

Maurice D. Coleman, Technical Trainer, Harford County Public Library and Host, T is for Training; Beth Tribe, Information Technology Instructor & Specialist, Howard County Library System; Robyn Truslow, Public Relations Coordinator and IT Supervisor, Calvert Library; and Bryan Hissong, Branch Manager (Finksburg Branch), Carroll County Public Library are talking about Marketing ebooks and readers. 

Plus, our very own Kathy Dempsey 

and the extraordinary Rebecca Jones 

are giving a presentation called, 

"Imagine and Dream Big About Your Library".

Kathy's also presenting with JD Thomas, an important program called,

 Optimizing Your Website: Better Metadata = Better Marketing 

If you are into marketing, this CIL is going to be an important conference for you. Don't miss it! 

The New Rules of Relationship Marketing

Mari Smith, Relationship Marketing Guru

 I saw this video on Mashable and think it well worth your time to take a look. Mari Smith  has been talking about  relationship marketing for years and shares some things that might help you with your  marketing efforts.  I can't wait to read her new book, The New Relationship Marketing!

 In this episode of Behind the Brand she shares some tips from it, including:

• Growing your social media connections
• Establishing yourself as an expert
• Leveraging other people’s content 

Get to know her better, read her her blog.