HIT: Public relations suggestions

["Odile M. Heisel" <oheisel@PEN.K12.VA.US>]

Dear wonderful group,
Well I said I would post a hit to my query for Public relations
ideas, but I received so many so quickly that I thought I would
post the ones I got so far.
1.  Library advisory Board made up of teachers (4), parent,
student and the public librarian to recommend policies and
procedures, public relations efforts, and resource purchases.
2.  Include a student representative on the public library
board. (S)he informs the school about any programs and contests.
3.  Organize a parents' and teachers' reading group.
4.  Student library assistants volunteer but get service hours.
("The best PR any library can have.")
5.  Sponsor several contests per year.  Have a local bookstore
donate gift certificates.
6.  Post a bulletin board outside the library that focusses on
reading.
7.  Distribute a video list for teachers so they know what is
available.  "This was in response to surveys that showed
teachers thought this was our weakest area."
8.  Display new books in library and provide a list of books
for teachers.  Or organize an open house for faculty and staff
in the library when the first batch of books has been processed.
9.  Annual illustrated brochure for staff, administration,
public library, and other district librarians showing new
books/videos and current periodical subscriptions.
10.  Quarterly newsletter from library to staff including
annotated bibliography of new acquisitions, curriculum ideas,
and suggestions.
11. Offer book talks for teachers 4 times per year.
12.  One librarian from a county without a public library
circulates books to community members.  The library is open in
the summer 2 days per week.
13.  Contribute to the monthly school newsletter for parents.
14.  Another suggested writing articles in their weekly school
newspaper about topics like "Chapter Books for early readers",
"Parent Resource Books in the Library", "How to Encourage
reading in the House," Upcoming Activities/ Meetings in the
Library,"  and advertise a section of the library each week.
15.  Offer voice mail service for teachers
16.  Weekly or monthly newsletter for teachers and
administrators.
17.  Skim teachers magazines and circulate them around to the
main teachers.  Photocopy and distribute articles for other
teachers (art, science, music) that you think they can use.
18.  Monthly report to principal.
19.  Annual report to principal, superintendent, board of
education.
20.  Tri-fold pamphlet highlighting library services given out
on Open-School night.
21.  Whenever writing anything for public relations, write
simply and beautifully, so they will be more likely to be read.
22.  Hold a Used Book Sale on Open-House Night.  Advertise in
local newspapers.
23.  Liason with local newspapers to advertise special programs
and invite community participation.
24.  Prepare a SVHS videotape that shows the library,
unidentifiable students using it, and other aspects of life in
the library.  Have television news crews use this "file tape"
rather than have them shoot a new video that shows the library
torn apart and your nerves frazzled.
25.  Two book fairs per year.  Or host a parent-run book fair.
26.  Make homemade bookmarks with media center name, and media
specialist name on them.
27.  Welcome any group that wants to meet in the library.
28.  After reading to K-2 classes give them a half-sheet handout
with the name of the story, a picture, and "I heard this story
in the library. Mrs. XXXX read it to me!"
29.  Volunteer at the public library one night each week to
teach the Internet.  Great PR for librarian and the school.
30.  Allow students to clear fines from their record in
November by bringing in one or more cans of food for the poor.
31.  Circulate kids' magazines though the appropriate grade
level classes for a month before they come to the library for
regular circulation.
32.  Take pictures of students or faculty reading books,
enlarge them and post them everywhere during reading week.
And lastly
33.  Service, Service, Service!!
If I get more suggestions I will post a mini hit in a couple
weeks.
Thanks a lot for the time you took to send these to me.  I got
a lot of great suggestions that I plan to use.
Odile
--
Odile Heisel  oheisel@pen.k12.va.us
Library Assistant and future certified media specialist
(graduating from James Madison University in Spring, 1997)
McGaheysville Elementary School
McGaheysville, VA 22840