A major part of public relations is
consistency and continuity of publicity. Volunteers can help ensure that
information about library programs and services are distributed on a
regular and consistent basis.
Recruit
volunteers to:
- Prepare press
releases and announcements about library programs and services
weekly and email or fax them to media outlets.
- Compile and
maintain lists of media contacts, lists of organizations that should
receive regular information from the library, and lists of
non-traditional public relations contacts (such as Yahoo groups).
- Distribute
library newsletters, flyers, brochures, etc., to local organizations
monthly or quarterly.
- Regularly post
information about upcoming library programs to on-line calendars and
submit information to community cable television calendars.
- Post flyers
about library programs and services on community bulletin boards
throughout the area.
- Clip articles
and maintain clip files when articles appear in local newspapers,
including the free papers and smaller community newspapers and
magazines, about the library.
A broad definition of
public relations includes customer service and helping patrons feel
welcome and comfortable using the library.
Volunteers
can:
- Serve as
greeters, welcoming patrons into the library, and directing them to
general service areas.
- Provide help at
self-check machines or other areas where a “personal touch” would be
useful.
- Test library
communications documents, surveys, and signage to ensure that the
messages are reaching the intended audience with the intended
information (get feedback for a communications audit).
- Record (voice
and/or video) stories about ways that the library has helped patrons
that can be used for marketing campaigns, funding requests, grant
applications, and annual reports.
Volunteers can be
ambassadors for library services and enhance the library’s image by
being prepared to talk about library programs, services, and issues at
public events.
Volunteers
can:
- Be part of a
speaker’s bureau to attend public functions, community fairs, and
group meetings to share information about library services and
programs.
- Be available to
talk to the media about why they use a specific library service or
support the library in general.
- Deliver books
and other library materials to child care centers, senior centers,
shut-ins, and other satellite service locations.
- Be “pollinators”
for library services by spreading the word about new or improved
library features (for example, a new on-line catalog or database,
new technology, or a specific program).
- Send positive,
community interest letters to the editor on a regular basis and be
willing to respond to articles and opinion pieces to “set the record
straight” about library issues.
- Speak up at
community meetings, school board meetings, and other forums to
ensure that the library is recognized as a partner and/or to be a
voice for the library, as appropriate.
- Include
information about library activities in their business’s internal
newsletter or other publications.
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