PLS/KLTA Fall Retreat

Picture Pages, Picture Pages...

2005-11-02T08:06:00.000-08:00

Thank you Cindi for these great pictures from the event:
Picture Pages

Sharon

Security Check List

2005-11-01T15:53:00.000-08:00

Hello,
The Security Checklist is now available at:
Library Security Check List

Christie's PowerPoint Presentation

2005-10-04T09:38:00.000-07:00

Interested in seeing Christie's presentation? (This works best in Internet Explorer)

http://ice.emporia.edu/Extreme%20Library%20Makeover_files/frame.htm

Thank you to Cindi for hosting this presentation on ice.emporia.edu

Thanks be to my Techie mentors

2005-10-02T15:17:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to shoot a THANK YOU!!! to Brenda Hough, Liz Rea and Cindi Hickey. Without their help and encouragement, I wouldn't have been able to pull of this blog.

Sharon

Christie Brandau, You're Hired!

2005-09-30T09:52:00.000-07:00

"Christie Brandau, our new State Librarian, has been here since February and we are so lucky to have her here in Kansas. Christie will truly be initiated as a Kansas in early October when her schedule will demand driving from Pittsburg to Norton for meetings back to back. After that trip she will forever by "our." Thanks for doing the wrap-up for us. It's been a really great conference; we know you will leave us with words of wisdom and the best to end with."- Opening comments from Rosanne Siemens

(Christie's PowerPoint will appear soon, but some of the comedy might be lost in translation)

Goals - "Extreme Makeovers":
* Unified interface for databases (think Google)
* Statewide, quick delivery of materials - task force forming now
* Simplified ILL (think Amazon)
(Serve teens through the Web - take the library to the customers)
* Serve the customers by shifting our attitude, so we can meet the customer's information needs wherever they are - Jenny Levine www.theshiftedlibrarian.com
* Deroy Murdock - library basher and Patriot act supporter, new article in American Legion called "Libraries of Terror" - "a place where we don't need an extreme makeover" - Christie will have an article addressing this issue in the next issue of Kansas Libraries, saying to shift and change, but stay solid with basics of librarianship and intellectual freedom.
* Conclusions - this will all be on the PowerPoint presentation :-)

I have to go get raffle prizes now...thanks for reading.

Exhibits

2005-09-30T09:49:00.000-07:00

Kansas Humanities Council - Erin Nielsen
State Library - Vikki Jo Stewart and Roy Bird - Kansas Reads to Preschoolers
SCKLS
KLTA, KLA, FoKL - MArilyn Arnone, Rosanne Siemens, Carolyn Little
SLIM and K-Place - Anne O-Neil and Shannon Roy
Kan-Ed - Christy Madden

(Web links to come, time to listen to Christie!)

Thank you to Ellen Miller of KLTA for organizing both the exhibitors and raffle prizes. We appreciate all of your help and support.

Display 911

2005-09-30T08:38:00.000-07:00

Watermark Books and Cafe Guest speaker Beth Golay, marketing manager (beth.golay at watermarkbooks.com)
So many ideas, so of course I have to write them all down for your information :-)

* Readers judge a book by its cover! Publishers test galley's of covers to gauge reaction and make changes if necessary
* Have a stack of books with one face-out on an easel on the top of the
* Staff writes a review a day of recommended books that are then put on a bookmark with an image of the book on it.
* Use props to create a buzz around a book.
* Book reviews from the newspaper, for example a recent NY Times review compared and contrasted two books (On Beauty and Howard's End), and so both were used in a display with the book review.
* Plastic covered easel backs, available from Hutchison Company ($2.50) - tool for displays http://www.hutchco.com"
* Height always helps a display
* Display books related to a new movie, i.e. Capote - Breakfast at Tiffany’s, new Capote book by John Berrendt “Other voices, other rooms”, “In Cold Blood”, new graphic novel about Capote and Kansas, called “Capote in Kansas” and other books about Capote or by him, with props such as old movie canisters
* Use images of a book, provided by the publisher - posters from publishers - you can get promotional materials free from the book sellers! That info is in the publisher catalogs, or you can e-mail Watermark Books. Put the posters in the restrooms. "Bad Cat" and "Bad Dog" books and posters from publishers - neat new book. Hang posters off the front of the circ desk, in the bathroom, on table-top easels, in windows, in the foyer, etc.
* Get Event Kits from publishers - marketing and promotional information that you can use to generate buzz.
* Reading Group guides from publishers for book club organizers - these materials have ISBNs attached - get them from the publisher Web sites. Display the question guides with the book
* Print posters for events using a poster printer and laminator (more expensive option)
* Take full advantage of movie tie-ins with preview parties and props
* Old camera prop for photographer characters and old bottles for the book "Cottonwood" - pull out bits and pieces of the book to grab attention
* Display for a book called "Blood" - "words by women" series - Window display with a painting of the book jacket done quickly on a canvas (from Wal-mart) put on an easel and a jar with paint brushes next to it along with the book
* beach bags with 'beach reads' for spring and summer displays
* "The Wicked Sequel" by Gregory McGuire - ideas for displays: Wizard of Oz theme, black witches hat, red shoes/slippers, Broadway show scrap book that works as a tie in
* The bookstore has four large windows that can be used to display memorabilia, large posters (outsource printing once in a while - posters created in Publisher, saved as a .pdf and uploaded to the local printer, scan cover of the book for the poster, printed 2 and glued back-to-back so the poster can be seen from both sides)
* Display can be about "YOU" - example "resolve to try something new" "resolve to join a book club" "resolve to read to your kids" "resolve to read more books"
* Scan book covers and use bits and pieces as backgrounds and to use cover in posters and flyers
* Hang posters from the ceiling with pictures of customers and employees with favorite or influential books
* (ALA Graphics have "get caught reading" poster templates - sharon's addition)
* posters coordinating books with food from the cafe ex. humpty dumpty with a customer eating an egg sandwich
* Art displays and exhibits at the bookstore
* "City of Fallen Angels" - about the Venice opera house fire - prop ideas: Italian theme, opera glasses, candle, etc.
* Some props are bought, others are borrowed, bought off-season, a booktree out of cut-out galleys from bad books (teens made them as a program at one library - you can use donated items if you don't have galleys), greeting card displays from local drug store, scavenger
* How often do you change displays? Weekly to once a month - as long as they're being changed regularly then customers don't get bored
* Have a display that corresponds with e-mail promotions - if there's a Web presence, have an in-store presence.
* Staff pics changed often - books with a recommend/review card in them (any reason why we can't share reviews among librarians throughout the state? - Sharon's idea)
* Kid displays - face out displays to take advantage of the covers, cascading stacks with face-out displays, kid "recommends" cards with colored box and age range recommendations - colors of the rainbow correspond with age range - color coded recommends card with color changes to differentiate boy and girl-appropriate titles

Roy Bird thanked Watermark for supporting Kansas Libraries, distributing free copies of Bob Dole's biography and promoting Kansas authors.

Even More Pictures

2005-09-30T08:34:00.000-07:00

Marketing Techniques That Work

2005-09-30T07:04:00.000-07:00

Jami talked today about graphic design and other marketing techniques, without her PowerPoint presentation, but we'll have it up here in a bit.
Bulleted points:
* visual consistency
* positive connotation
* convey an image (book, building, technology)
* determine your intended audience
* on flyers, include all the information you want the audience to know, including cost
* relevancy of information should dictate format - make sure text is brief and concise
* have a single visual image that carries throughout all the various promotional material formats, or "pieces"
* mistakes - not consistent enough, not concise enough, not compelling
* look at competition - book stores, schools - how are they putting info together?
* Q: What programs other than Publisher are available? A: Quark, PhotoShop, Adobe Illustrator.
* Publisher has some great layout designs
* have consistent graphics, don't crowd it with too much information, and put your logo on
* white space is critical! People are overloaded with information
* ways to market:
a) merchandising (displays throughout)
b) hand selling (booktalks)
c) exposure to materials and services through displays that highlight one book or theme
d) point of purchase (interior displays, annotated book lists, displays near the circulation desk (think Wal-mart near the check-out))
e) end-isle displays - create to attached attention to a specific area
f) dump - put books of the same genre all together in no order
g) face-out displays - have covers face the patron, especially younger patrons

*hints about marketing:
a) yellow type on black background or vice versa are the most easy to read, while red and blue are the least easy to see
b) keep it simple - don't need to overwhelm the patron visually
c) bold graphics - logo and maybe one image to draw their eye in
d) don't leave your display up too long - if it sits too long, the regular customers need something new and different to pay attention too
e) use things all over the place, i.e. footprints on the floor leading to a display

*posters
a) use pictures of people in your posters - photographs or stock photos of people
[If a photo is taken at a public program at KC Public, it belongs to the library. Other libraries use patron release forms giving permission to use a person's image in printed materials. Some children in foster care can't be photographed, so get parental permission. If it's a photo that will be used often, go ahead and get a signature.]
b) be graphically dramatic - what posters do you like best?
c) movie posters - good reference source for ideas - how are they put together?
d) other pieces that go with the poster should be consistent - flyers as mini-posters
e) ALA Web site as a resource for graphics
f) Google Images

*flyers and brochures
a) don't use all CAPS, but use large and easy-to-read type for the headline
b) use sub-headlines or bullets
c) simple illustrations or clip art to highlight points
d) 11 pt font as a minimum size
e) write with your least educated customer in mind--keep it simple and jargon-free
f) use a lot of White Space, or blank space
g) have at least 2 or 3 different people proofread the materials before final printing
h) cheaper and more effective to use black and white, especially with photocopied materials
i) try to avoid sexism and racism in your materials - what's cute to some is offensive to others
j) use humor, but it won't always work
k) Publisher is a great place to start with flyers and brochures - it will give you a clean layout. If you want to go beyond that, PhotoShop and Illustrator are good programs.
l) Q: Newsletter - keep it consistent, with certain sections that will always be there, even if the Newsletter goes out multiple times a year.
m) Q: What about everything having "that Publisher Template look"? Recommend that you start with Publisher, but then tweak it and change it to make it unique to your message - use different pictures, different fonts, staff or patron photos and poses. Use the templates as a starting point. Emotional connection (think yesterday's program)
n) Q: Borders on flyers? How many different types of fonts? A: You can use the same font in different sizes and colors, but don't use more than 2 fonts. Use one font for the Header, but an easy-to-read font for the information. No hard and fast rule about borders, but if you have lots of images and text that fill the page, then a border wouldn't be necessary. If the text and images are sparse, then you can use a border. ***Put Logo, address, phone and Web site at the bottom instead - this information is always good to include.***
o) Q: How do you manage books that have been pulled for displays - list the books on display for reference, use a block as a place-holder that says "check the display", check out the book to a patron or location called "display".

* for larger libraries, using looping video displays on plasma screens is a powerful way to display information. Smaller libraries can have looping PowerPoint presentations on a computer near the circulation desk, or in an area where people linger.

* On the Web, use little ads to promote collections, services and programs.

Q: Do you use e-mail to promote materials? A: Yes, using a monthly "e-mail blast" that is like an on-line newsletter. Ask if the person would be willing to receive e-mail information, such as with a sign-in sheet at events. Put the e-mails in an Access database to maintain them.

Q: Do you know of a good basic book on how to design a logo? A: Jami will send some titles about graphic design for libraries.

Q: Where to put the flyers? A: Near the circ desk, near the drinking fountain and photo copier, women's restroom--anyplace where people spend time

(So, can you tell I like to type?)

Good Morning

2005-09-30T06:45:00.000-07:00

Day one is over and we're ready for day 2! Dave wrote about the Capital Improvement Fund Talk Table and I'm still recruiting folks to talk about the Fundraising and Eureka Carnegie Library talk tables, so check back for updates.

Cynthia Berner Harris, Wichita Public Library, and Kirk Jurgensen, GossennLivingston Associates, Inc., shared with us the process they went through to design and build the Alford Regional Branch of the Wichita Public Library. Not only did we get cookies, coffee and a the chance to tour a really cool library, we also learned new words like chirrette and parti, or underlying geometrical scheme or concept that governs the design process.

Now we're ready for "How Not to Serve" and "Survivor: Promotion Island," the second part of Jami Schaeffer's branding and marketing workshop.

Dave Hanson, guest blogger

2005-09-29T15:17:00.000-07:00

Capitalize Your Image--Talk Table by Rosanne Siemens, KLA.

This session can be best described as an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Ms. Siemens took the group step by step through the creation and maintenance of a Capital Improvement Fund (CIF). Honestly, after 15 minutes with Ms. Siemens organization, I felt a little like Dr. McCoy in the Star Trek episode when an alien intelligence zapped him and he remarked of complicated brain surgery, "this is child's play!"

I'm sure it is more complicated than that. She emphasized the key magic word that it should be a "positive" idea for your community leaders. If your board and community leaders understand that by saving a little now (10% of your operating budget per KSA 12-1258) for a capital program, you can save a lot of blood and sweat trying to pass a bond later. Separately, there are ways of handling employee benefit funding that can greatly increase budget flexibility--a topic that was of great interest to the group.

Finally, the library board members emphasized to all participants that "we are not alone." Speaking to boards and city officials can be hard, scary and maybe even a little intimidating--that's why we shouldn't hesitate to call upon our regional district resources for help.

After hearing Ms. Siemens speak, this is indeed an option every library should consider.

Amazing Space

2005-09-29T14:01:00.000-07:00

Hans Fischer (architect extraordinaire, current president of KLTA & a past president of FOKL) teamed up with Kiersten Allen from the Louisburg Library and Sue Blechl from the Emporia Public Library to deliver an informative and entertaining presentation on making the most of your library space. Little changes can make an amazing difference in the usability and aesthetic appeal of your library!

Sue Blechl talked about not only becoming ADA-compliant but also increasing the usable space in her library. For example, a generous donation from a community member funded the transformation of an unused area into three study rooms that are available for those needing a quiet space for study. The rooms are used by Vista tax preparation volunteers, by literacy tutors, etc.....

Kiersten Allen emphasized her favorite money saving tip -- watch Kan-Lib! When she was looking for shelving for Lousiburg a message was sent out on Kan-Lib about Topeka having shelving they were getting rid of.... Kiersten jumped on the offer and was able to save a HUGE amount of $$.

Trump Your Image

2005-09-29T12:55:00.000-07:00

Jami gave us the basics of branding (check back for the powerpoint presentation, once we can get it downloaded).
Jami is the Public Relations Supervisor with the Kansas City Public Library, a Wichita native, a World traveler, and has a Master's in Marketing from the University of Kansas.

So, do you know what Volvo stands for? Do you know your message or identity? Do you know what your library stands for? What's your emotional connection with the community?

Does your logo look as good and recognizable in black and white as it does in color?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This is from the questions and answer session...I typed as fast as I could, but some paraphrasing took place. Check back tomorrow for the How-To portion.

Q: Who do you get input from? A: Depends on the size of your library, but it's important to get input from the Board. Involve staff in the "Discovery" process of determining or identifying the one message everybody will be communicating. Involve key supporters and friends.

Q: How difficult is it to manage branding in a multi-branch system, like Kansas City? A: Pretty difficult. The Kansas City Public Library just recently changed their brand, so getting it used (logo and fonts) throughout the system is a challenge--make sure old materials are destroyed, so they aren't used when there is a new logo. Have a launch event - out with the old, in with the new. Communication is the most important aspect when branding - have them repeat it back to you because everyone is a marketer in a library.

Q: Is it appropriate to have different brands within a library? A: Yes, create sup-brands for groups such as Friends or Foundations. It needs to be in-line with your brand--the look, font, colors, etc. should be the same. Use different names to target different customer groups, such as teens.

Q: How much do you use it in the interior of the Library? A: Right now at KCPL, the Central Library is the only building fully using the logo for interior design. Materials use the same logo, but at some point the entire system will use the same logo. The only exception is the Plaza Branch, which uses different colors and the management of this branch is still being worked out. Plaza now has a separate brand, but typically this is not recommended. It detracts from the consistent message of the organization.

Q: How do you go about selecting a marketer or graphic designer to help you? A: If you know what direction you know you want to go, then create a document that communicates what you feel the essence of your library is. Then consult with those individuals in your community with marketing skills. Having a marketing consultant work with an architectural consultant during new building construction would help with color selection and be a more holistic approach to branding. Advertising agencies often do pro-bono work, so ask! (Bibliography below)

No matter what your size, you have an identity in your community. If you don't know what that is, you need to find out! Know what importance you hold in your community and then figure out how to convey that.

Discussion time :-)
Q: What are some key questions that you might find 2 or 3 words that would become the logo or slogan? A: Jami handed out a sample survey with open ended questions.
Have some focus groups with refreshments at different times to hit the different groups in your library who you think you want to be using your library. Survey your staff, as well. Let staff give their opinions about library customer service and the library image (good for staff morale). Also do a customer satisfaction survey and possibly have a Board retreat to discuss the library's image and message.

Bibliography:
Promote Like a Pro: small budget, big show by Linda F. Radke (ISBN: 1877749362)
Emotional Branding: How successful brands gain the irrational edge by Daryl Travis (ISBN: 076152911X)
Bulding Strong Brands by David A. Aaker (ISBN: 002900151X)
Brand aid: an easy reference guide to solving your toughest branding problems and strengthening your market position by Brad VanAuken (ISBN: 0814406815)

More pictures

2005-09-29T12:31:00.000-07:00

In the Beginning

2005-09-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

Ok, so this is a test to see how well we can post pictures :-)

Wickedly Perfect Libraries

2005-09-29T07:40:00.000-07:00

Wickedly Perfect Libraries Presentation!
Thanks Cindi and Rosanne

Publication Idea Swap

2005-09-26T14:10:00.000-07:00

Do you have a publication you created in-house that you want to share with the rest of us? How about that annual report you created in Word last year or the newsletter you made using a Publisher template? Well, bring them with you to the retreat so we can share! See you Thursday.

Schedule of Events

2005-09-22T12:05:00.000-07:00

Public Library Section/Kansas Library Trustee Association Fall Retreat
Trustees and Librarians—Are you up to the challenge?
September 29 & 30, 2005
Spiritual Life Center—Wichita, Kansas
Schedule of Events

Thursday, September 29:
10:30-12:00 a.m. Registration and Room Check-in (Lobby Area)

*Entire Conference
beginning at 10:30
thru lunch on Friday Please be sure to visit the Exhibits located in the Main Assembly Room by these important organizations:
Emporia State University School of Library & Information Management
Friends of Kansas Libraries
KAN-Ed
Kansas Historical Society
Kansas Humanities Council
Kansas Library Association
Kansas Library Trustee Association
K-Place
Kansas State Library
South Central Kansas Library System
Noon Lunch (Cafeteria)

12:45 p.m. Welcome (Main Assembly Room)
Kimberly Beets, PLS Chair
Jim Rundell, Spiritual Life Center Administrator
Anne O’Neill, Dean of SLIM at Emporia State University

1:00 p.m. "Wickedly Perfect Libraries" (Main Assembly Room)
Rosanne Siemens, Kansas Library Association and Cindi Hickey, Institute for Continuous Education
A virtual tour of libraries with pizzazz!

2:00 p.m. Break & Snack (Lobby Area)

2:15 - 4:00 p.m. Concurrent Sessions:
A. "Amazing Space" (2nd Assembly Room)
Hans Fischer, Kansas Library Trustee Association, Sue Blechl, Emporia Public Library and Kiersten Allen, Library District #1, Miami County
A panel will share their tricks and tips for maximizing the use of your existing library space.
B. "Trump Your Image" (Main Assembly Room)
Jami Schaefer, Kansas City (MO) Public Library
An introduction to the principles of excellent graphic design.

4:00 - 4:30 p.m. Break

4:30 - 5:15 p.m. "It's a Money Thing" (Main Assembly Room)
Three Talk Tables to Choose From:
A. "Capitalize Your Image" - Rosanne Siemens, KLA
B. "Eureka! - A Winner's Story" - Connie Doeden, Eureka Carnegie Library
C. "Fundraising Makeover: How'd They Do That?" - Kim Beets, Bonner Springs City Library

5:30 - 6:15 p.m. Dinner (Cafeteria)

7:00 - 8:00 p.m. "Design Reality" (Meet in Lobby at 6:30 to get directions) Transportation is on your own but we should be able to carpool.
Cynthia Berner Harris, Wichita Public Library and Kirk Jurgensen, Gossen Livingston Associates, Inc.
See library design in action at the Alford Regional Branch of the Wichita Public Library, the 2003 winner of a Merit Award for Excellence in Architecture by the American Institute of Architects.

Friday, September 30:
8:00 a.m. Breakfast (Cafeteria)

9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Concurrent Sessions:
A. "How Not to Serve" (2nd Assembly Room)
Denise Smith, Richard Brookman, Kearny County Public Library and Joyce Armstrong, Hamilton County Public Library
It's all about customer service and tips for talking with your library patrons.
B. "Survivor: Promotion Island" (Main Assembly Room)
Jami Schaefer, Kansas City (MO) Public Library
Get into the nitty gritty of designing library promotional materials.

10:00 - 10:30 a.m. Break and Room Check-Out (Lobby Area)

10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Concurrent Sessions:
A. "Fear Factor: Library Security" (2nd Assembly Room) Greg Gaul, Topeka Shawnee County Public Library and Cecilia Huddleston, Augusta Public Library
Get advice for tightening up your library security and safety.
B. "Display 911" (Main Assembly Room)
Sarah Bagby, Owner of Watermark Books & Cafe
Tips for giving your library displays some "bling bling".

11:30 - 11:45 a.m. Break

11:45 - 12:30 p.m. "Christie Brandau, You're Hired!" (Main Assembly Room)
Christie Brandau, Kansas State Librarian
Door Prizes will be awarded!!!

12:30 p.m. Lunch and Adjournment (Cafeteria)

Welcome to the PLS/KLTA Fall Retreat

2005-09-22T11:43:00.000-07:00

Trustees and Librarians--Are You Up to the Challenge?

Public Library Section and Kansas Library Turstee Association Fall Retreat

Extreme Library Makeover
From Vision to reality...
September 29-30, 2005
Spiritual Life Center
Wichita, KS