ACRL College & Research Libraries News

Association of College & Research Libraries

A time to celebrate

By Linda K. Wallace

This year’s National Library Week is April 9–15

National Library Week (NLW), coming up April 9–15, is our national holiday—a time to celebrate the life-changing contributions of all our nation’s libraries—public, school, and academic. Here are some ideas to help you celebrate this annual event.

What you can do

• Be a library advocate.Join your state’s delegation to Library Legislative Day on Capitol Hill on May 9. Write letters to your elected officials or local newspaper to urge support for library and information issues. Involve other faculty, administrators, and students in speaking out on behalf of libraries (see “Pass a Buck” on page 79).

• Join the chorus.Advertisers know it takes seven impressions to have a message remembered. ALA’s national theme—“Libraries Change Lives”—is an opportunity for librarians to have greater impact by focusing on a single, powerful message. ALA Graphics offers a full line of posters and other promotional materials such as “Libraries Change Lives” quote cards to send as invitations to a reception or other special event at the library. The campaign tip sheet includes sample media materials and public- service ads featuring well-known library users to run in your newsletter and other campus publications (see sample on page 78).

• Collect “Libraries Change Lives” stories.It can be a rewarding activity. Offer prizes to those who share statements of 100 words or less about how libraries have made a difference in their lives. The Public Relations Department at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, New York, placed articles in both student and community newspapers and published an inspiring booklet of testimonials collected by the library. Those who send copies of 25 or more statements to the ALA Public Information Office will receive a free Microsoft Encarta Multimedia Encyclopedia.

• Reach out to the media.NLW adds an element of timeliness that can help place a story that might not be considered newsworthy at another time of year. Suggest a feature to your campus or community newspaper about your “Libraries Change Lives” winners. Create and publicize a list of questions answered by your staff ranging from the most challenging to the most common. Provide a series of colorful “Did you know. . . ” factoids about the library’s history, services, and use (e.g., “xxx students visited the library last year—more than attended all sporting events combined”).

• Last, but not least, have fun.Hold a daily drawing for “Libraries Change Lives” t- shirts, notepads, etc. Have staff answer the phone with the greeting “Happy National Library Week.” Host a campuswide coffee break.

Library promotion and advocacy is a year- round effort, but National Library Week comes only once a year. Take advantage of it. And remember, if you don’t celebrate, who will?

Linda K. Wallace is director of the ALA Public Information Office; e-mail: linda.wallace@ala.org