As positive changes are made because of the new or expanded library district, it is important that you publicize them. Not only will this let your patrons know what services are being provided, but it also reconfirms to the electors that they have made a good decision. Here are some ideas for publicity:
- Send press releases to all media outlets when you begin or expand a service.
- Several months after the change has been made in the district, ask the local paper to do an in-depth article on the changes. Suggest that they write this article from a patron’s perspective and that they interview some of your better customers. (Children are often very interesting interviewees.)
- If you are located close to a television station, suggest a story to the station’s news director.
- Create and distribute a nicely printed annual report for the district after its first year of operation, showing new services and how well they have been used.
- At the end of the first year, volunteer to provide speakers for local service club meetings to talk about new library services. A service club or service organization is a voluntary non-profit organization where members meet regularly to perform charitable works, either by direct hands-on efforts or by raising money for other organizations. Service clubs include:
- Be creative in thinking of new ways to let people know about how wonderful your new or expanded library district is!