Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Gocks!

Here at Chinook Arch, we receive a variety of publications from libraries all over the province.  Recently, we received the winter program guide from Strachcona County Library.  One teen program, in particular, caught my attention:  Gocks!  What are Gocks?  Gocks are goth sock puppets, of course!  What a great way to invite teens to get creative at your library.  The Gocks program invites teens to bring their own sock (clean, and any colour) and create Gocks, Pocks (punk sock puppets) or Emocks (emo sock puppets)!  The library would then provides the piercings and black eyeliner! In other words, the library would provide supplies like safety pins, markers, fabric, sewing needles and thread, glue, googley eyes, pom-poms, fun fur, sequence, etc.  A variety of supplies will ensure teens get creative with their Gocks, Pocks, and Emocks!  Check out these sock puppet resources to get started:
http://bit.ly/7KZ9l7
http://bit.ly/8zYH18
http://bit.ly/5dj2Iw
http://bit.ly/5FOKJA


Kerby

Monday, December 14, 2009

Promoting New Library Services


There's been a lot of talk lately about library promotion and marketing.  By promoting library services you are informing your users about what you do and what you can do. When you promote library services effectively, you can expect to see increased usage, increased value in the organization, education of users and changed perceptions.
While promotion is important for the library as a whole, it is especially important for new services.  Promoting new library services is the only way to ensure their long-term sustainability.
Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Put up posters in the library for upcoming programs
Distribute brochures and program guides
Bring program guides/brochures to senior’s centre, day cares, etc.
Put posters up in the community where there are bulletin boards (grocery store or community centre)
• Make sure board members know what is going on in the library and can talk up new programs/services
• Write an article about the new library service for your town's newspaper/newsletter
• Use the school newsletter when appropriate
• Give out flyers or bookmarks at the circulation desk
• Advertise on your website or on your town's website
• Visit community organizations to talk up the new service
Talk to your patrons!  Make sure all front-end staff are spreading a consistent message.

Try a few of these promotional tactics, just be sure to keep your message consistent.  If you need help creating posters, writing newspaper articles, etc. just give Consulting Services a call!






Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Top Ten Reasons Why Libraries Should Circulate Video Games

1. Attracts teens to the library. Once they're in the door, you can show them all the other great things the library has to offer them.
2. Helps establish the library as a total media and information destination and therefore truly relevant to teens (and other's) needs.
3. They have wide appeal. The average gamer is around 33 years old. The video game collection will appeal to everyone and the library's value added service becomes priceless to the entire family.
4. It's the trend. Do you want your library to be cutting edge or behind the times? Many will argue, "Video games in the library?" Imagine when people said "DVDs in the library?"
5. Just another digital media like DVDs, computer software, etc. Video games are the next step and your patrons will love it/1
6. Economically friendly for the community. The average cost of renting a video game is $3-6. Imagine your patrons' reactions when they discover they can check them out, at the library, for free.
7. New patrons, new supporters! Think of all the new patrons who will come to the Library and sign up for a Library Card. Imagine how many more people would list the library as a priority for public funding.
8. Consumer friendly. Having them in your library allows patrons to test out games before they purchase one.
9. They are an important media dn learning source. Studies show that many video games are educational and help users develop problem solving skills.
10. Family friendly! It's a great family social activity.

(Source: Hazelbaker, S. Gayle, "Top Ten Reasons Why Libraries Should Circulate Video Games", Rural Library Services Newsletter, Volume 20, Issue 2, March/April 2009)

Monday, December 7, 2009

Do Nothing But Read Day!

Sign up for the first "Do Nothing But Read Day!"  On December 20th, 2009 take the day off from Christmas preparations and do nothing but read.  Sign up here.