LM_NET: Library Media Networking
Thanks to everyone who replied. I lost a few while learning to transfer items.
From: tmfox@sils.umich.edu ("Tamar M. Fox")
Anitra-
I am a former student of Prof. Garland at UM, so I would be happy to
respond. Are you referring to PR to alert studetns and staff about library
services or PR for the community/administration? Here goes: In Plymouth-Canton
Community Schools, where I am an elementary media specialist, the media
specialists are firm believers in PR to remind our administration of our unique
role. Last year we invited the Board to one of our meetings, where we outlined
our programs using_Information Power_ as a focus. It was successful.
2. We send video or Xap Shot frames for use on our local
community access cable program.
3. We publish newsletters emphasizing media programs/sevices.
This year we emphasize technology integration, since our district has
invested $$ into Dynacom Integration System, computer labs, and an
upgrade to our circulation system.
4. We are writing copyright policies and Internet usage policies.
5. We sit on district committees- including our newly formed
technology committee.
Our goal is to be visible and educate our administrators
and building staff about our role in the district.
In my building, I do the following:
1. Offer to teach inservices to staff to help them update tech skills
2. Sit on our school improvement committee, where I can
influence/educate the need for demonstrationsof integrating technology into the
curriculum. Ex. Our focus of our next 1/2 day inservice is the Science MEAP. As
a result of my suggestion, one hour will include how our newly
purchased Window on Science laserdisc resource can enhance MEAP
preparation/instruction. Behind the scenes, I encourage staff to try
Windows, might video a lesson, and then ask certain staff to demontrate at our
inservice.
3. Stay one sep ahead of all new technology. I don't attempt to
know everything, but at least I can assist.
4. Inform staff of changes, new purchases, etc at staff meetings.
For students-
1. Provide student volunteer opportunities in media center.
2. Sponsored a bookmark contest.
3. Emphasize good citizen roles- returning books in a
non-threatening way. Ex. Students may save books for 3 days if they have
not returned books on time. It is a statement that we strive to be
responsible, but we give second chances.
There are many more example I could give. The big picture for
students is that the best PR is being friendly, caring, and d providing
an atmosphere that is inviting. The big picture for staff/administrators
is to educated them of the many _Information Power_ roles/hats we wear.
I have been taught well by Prof. Garland, Gail Beaver, and
Margaret Taylor. Many of our media specialists in our district are also former
students from SILS, so we have common goals..
Tami Fox
tmfox@umich.edu
From: hamer@meol.mass.edu (Sharon Hamer)
ONe thing we do is send out a spiffy newsletter to all staff. I try to
put in eye-catching headlines, such as "Students held prisoner in
library" which was a about a change inpolicy!
From: bhamilt@tenet.edu (Betty Dawn Hamilton)
My most successful so far has been a very professional newsletter. OF COURSE, I
discuss every teacher by name who has scheduled time in the library and what
*neat* things he/she is doing with his/her class!
It's a little thing, but I find out the birthdays of everyone on the
faculty (by looking at their emer. care cards) and give them a Happy
Birthday pencil from the library with a ribbon on it.
This is a big thing--I try to meet peoples' needs--if I can't do exactly
what they ask, I try to figure out another way to satisfy them. This is
everybody from custodians, students, community members, faculty to
administration. If I don't have what they need, I try to get it and let them
know when it arrives.
Lynn McCree, Librarian
Martin Junior High
Austin, Texas
Lmcc@tenet.edu
I don't know all you might include in PR.
Over the last several years I've been meeting with the person who owns our
townUs cable system. I discovered that he graduated from our school and had
very warm memories of a former principal (who taught him calculus during his
lunch hour).
Since this began he has: donated a 3 meter satellite dish, hardware and control
software, given us our own channel on the cable system for Board meetings,
student projects, sports, the lunch schedule, etc.
He's agreed to provide funding, materials, and training for a tech
prep class to wire our classrooms for video/data. With this he's promised jobs
to any students who successfully complete the project (and are "presentable and
drug free")..
The real gold we're receiving is that we are becoming a test bed
for the most leading edge coaxial cable delivered internet access
technology. He is buying some of my libraries special cable based modems
from Digital Equip. which will allow us ethernet speed network access. (14.4 X
>50)
He's a crochetty self made man who's never donated anything large before
. He
says it's because I've approached it seeking ways we both get something
valuable. He calls it good PR on my part (We are a test bed for projects cable
companies all want to be doing. It we can make the new tech work in our small
town it could be scaled up to work anywhere.)
Lesson: always work with the living.
More Signal, Less Noise
Bob Koechley
2521 Chamberlain Ave.
Madison, WI 53705
voice/w 608.424.3638
From: cjheds@hawks.bps.montana.edu
I started a publisheer file drawer and scouted for desirable textbooks when they
had money to spent and needed someone to send for the samples and return them
for them. I used my teaching contacts to get recommendations. They liked
the service since they were very busy.
From: khollens@tenet.edu (Karen Jean Hollenshead)
1. We conduct monthly reading incentive campaigns featuring a theme carried out
in book displays, book marks, posters, decorations, and weekly contests with
prizes.
2. We submit an article to the school's parent newsletter highlighting
what we have done during the past few weeks.
3. We send candygrams to our teachers reminding them of the services the library
offers.
4. We frequently publish blurbs in the school's daily bulletin alerting
staff members of new media in the library collection and/or timely
television or newspaper information.
5.We work closely with the public library, alerting its staffers of major
research projects and keeping abreast of each other's resources.
From: owl@m-net.arbornet.org (Ann D. Speer)
One of the best PR activities I've f
ound is showing up at the PTA meetings every time there is one.Have a sentence
or 2 to share about the library and you would be amazed at the community
supportyou build. When
you want something, they are behind you. It helps to be highly visible.
From: klaffert@pen.k12.va.us (Kathryn K. Lafferty)
I don't know if newsletters to teachers count as PR, but a lot
of the teachers at my school really like it. Some don't bother
to read it, but most do at least skim it. I also have a new
book breakfast every time we get large orders of books in, and
provide a list of all the books so they can mark the ones they
may want to use later in the year, but might forget about.
I've found if you offer food, almost everyone will come.
* A regular, brief, newsletter
* Never hand a book to a teacher in private
Susan Baker
Thanks again everyone
--
Anitra Gordon
Lincoln High School Library/7425 Willis Rd. Ypsilanti, MI 48197
313-484-7020 Fax 313-484-1212
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