A couple weeks ago I posted about how libraries need to get better about not standing on the sidelines. So to put my foot where my mouth is or whatever phrase you want to use here's my idea: National (or International) talk about a library day. We pick a day, say Wednesday January 18 2012, and spread the word. So what is this National Talk about a library day? Read on.
Now I know what you’re thinking that this is like National Library week or something like that, but it isn’t. This isn’t where librarians and libraries talk about themselves. Nope this is where our users, our patrons, the press, anyone that we can get ahold of will talk about libraries. Even if it’s just for five minutes or ten minutes or all day, they’ll tell their audience/the world/space aliens/whomever what makes libraries shine for them. Why do they use us? What special memory do they have about the library? Whatever they want to say. This is the day that our users will talk about us to let the rest of the world know why they should care about us.
Now I know what you’re thinking that this is like National Library week or something like that, but it isn’t. This isn’t where librarians and libraries talk about themselves. Nope this is where our users, our patrons, the press, anyone that we can get ahold of will talk about libraries. Even if it’s just for five minutes or ten minutes or all day, they’ll tell their audience/the world/space aliens/whomever what makes libraries shine for them. Why do they use us? What special memory do they have about the library? Whatever they want to say. This is the day that our users will talk about us to let the rest of the world know why they should care about us.
I know that many of our patrons to talk about us anyway, but what about one day where the stories spread like wildfire. How cool would it be to hear Jon Stewart share a story about libraries? Or see TechCrunch splash up a story about us on the main page? Or the Mythbusters talk about us? Or you local postal carrier?
So who should you tell about International Talk About a Library Day? Everyone. Seriously.
Think local: newspaper, TV station, school newspaper, local bloggers
Think big: send it to national TV shows (Daily Show anyone?), blogs like Lifehacker, Techcrunch, the Pioneer woman, to twitter, to anywhere and everywhere that you can think of.
Librarians can talk all day about how great and awesome we are. Librarians can say all kinds of things to the administration to politicians, we can share numbers and statistics to the hills run with them, but the power of the voice is even better. What we need though is our users, our patrons, the people that we serve every day to talk about us.
So what do y'all think? Can we make it happen?
Possible release to send out about
So who should you tell about International Talk About a Library Day? Everyone. Seriously.
Think local: newspaper, TV station, school newspaper, local bloggers
Think big: send it to national TV shows (Daily Show anyone?), blogs like Lifehacker, Techcrunch, the Pioneer woman, to twitter, to anywhere and everywhere that you can think of.
Librarians can talk all day about how great and awesome we are. Librarians can say all kinds of things to the administration to politicians, we can share numbers and statistics to the hills run with them, but the power of the voice is even better. What we need though is our users, our patrons, the people that we serve every day to talk about us.
So what do y'all think? Can we make it happen?
Possible release to send out about
National Talk About a Library Day
Wednesday January 18, 2012.
Dear x (fill in with name group, whatever you like just be nice),
I know, I know y’all probably get emails like this all day long. And nope this won’t require any money, just a few minutes of your time so please read through (trust me it will be worth your while.)
I’m writing about "National Talk About a Library Day.” That’s right, talk about a library. I know, I know you’re probably thinking it doesn’t fit your blog/tv show/whatever, but here’s the thing...it does. Libraries are a universal place. You go anywhere and you’ll find one, even if it’s a burro carrying around a sack of books. Think about the impact that your local library had on you. On your family. On your children. I don’t need to remind you about it, because its already jumped into your head.
And this is what National Talk About a Library Day is all about. A chance for you to share with your audience your favorite memory about libraries or what you like about them or the impact they’ve had in your life. Whatever you choose. Even if all you can spare is 5 minutes or one tweet or one blog post, tell your audience. Tell the world.
Wednesday January 18, 2012.
Dear x (fill in with name group, whatever you like just be nice),
I know, I know y’all probably get emails like this all day long. And nope this won’t require any money, just a few minutes of your time so please read through (trust me it will be worth your while.)
I’m writing about "National Talk About a Library Day.” That’s right, talk about a library. I know, I know you’re probably thinking it doesn’t fit your blog/tv show/whatever, but here’s the thing...it does. Libraries are a universal place. You go anywhere and you’ll find one, even if it’s a burro carrying around a sack of books. Think about the impact that your local library had on you. On your family. On your children. I don’t need to remind you about it, because its already jumped into your head.
And this is what National Talk About a Library Day is all about. A chance for you to share with your audience your favorite memory about libraries or what you like about them or the impact they’ve had in your life. Whatever you choose. Even if all you can spare is 5 minutes or one tweet or one blog post, tell your audience. Tell the world.
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