By Kimberly Sharp

Professional Articles Dusen, M. V. (2007, March). Open Up With Community Outreach. Library Media Connection, Schrock, K. (2003, November 1). The ABCs of Marketing. School Library Journal.

Extended Hours Offer extended hours for patrons Before/After School Summer Staffing Volunteers Alter contract hours for Media Staff Fund with Grant Money (Dusen, 2007)

Guest Library Use Extend Library Services to Community Parents Home-Schooled Students Applications Required Acceptable Use Agreement Include responsibility for materials, fees & payment Computer usage requirements Printing Policies (pay-to-print) Create Resource Guides on Popular Topics (Dusen, 2007)

Partner with Public Library Provide Summer Reading Lists Promote Summer Activities Featured at the Public Library Consider Sharing Resources (Dusen, 2007)

Partner with other Schools High School Students can work in the Elementary Media Center. Book Clubs or Service Organizations can read with younger students. (Dusen, 2007)

Community Outreach Encourage students to share book talks related to particular holidays and celebrations with various groups or organizations. Students can research historical topics and then share with members of a retirement home who lived during those events, conducting interviews and hearing personal stories. Students can partner with adults to teach basic computer and internet searching skills. Celebrate “Family History Day” by teaching research skills to families so that they can research immigration from their home country. (Dusen, 2007)

Marketing Tips from the Business World Create a product that people like Target your advertising Build a base of satisfied customers Take time to manage the details Grow your program slowly so that each stage is a success (Schrock, 2003)

Library-Sponsored Events Types of Events Book Fairs Author Visits Reading Nights Tips for Successful Events Plan around School Calendar Coordinate with PTA Events Avoid conflicts with other special programming Provide variety of times (during school day, early evening) Communicate Remind staff & students of upcoming events Send promotional flyers home to parents Pay attention to details! (Schrock, 2003)

Publicity Morning Announcements Bulletin Boards Themed Book Displays Public Service Announcements Press Releases Website for Media Center (Schrock, 2003)

Communication with Staff Weekly s Create “subject” and “grade level” groups to target specifically Include a great website or resource to aid them with curriculum and instruction Monthly Newsletters Highlight special events and reading incentives Suggest lesson plan ideas Showcase new items in the collection (Schrock, 2003)

Need Ideas? Join online discussion groups (i.e. LM_NET) Attend professional conferences Georgia COMO Conference Children’s Literature Conference Join Professional Organizations GLMAAASLGLA GAITALAAECT Read professional journals School Library Journal Library Media Connection (Schrock, 2003)