1. Planning and Promotion

2. Our Mission:
The mission of The Great Give Back is to provide a day of opportunities for the patrons of the Mid-Hudson Library System to participate in meaningful, service-oriented experiences.

3. Why are we doing this?

4. Where should you promote your events?

5. Promoting through the library
Post fliers in the library
Make promotional bookmarks and hand one to every patron that checks out.
Have circulation staff mention the program to every patron they talk to.
Put the program in your print and/or newsletter
Post the event on the library website and calendar
Post the event on all library social media accounts
Promoting through the library

6. Get outside the library building
Post fliers around town at local businesses and “gathering spots” like the post office or farmer’s market.
Visit the meetings of local organizations in your town such as the PTA or rotary to talk about the program and ask them if they want to participate.
If you partner with another organization, ask them to promote the event as well. You will reach a wider audience of non-library users.
Promote your event to local government officials and legislators. If they come, they will see that libraries are not just about books, they are about creating and strengthening a sense of community.
Get outside the library building

7. Partner with local media
Publish your event in a local newspaper
Work with local TV stations to talk about your event on air
Go on local radio shows and promote your event
Partner with local media

8. Physical Promotional Materials
Fliers that can be posted in the library and by the circ. desk
A banner for a large event
Bookmarks that can be passed out to all patrons who check out materials
A reminder note at the circ desk reminding staff to talk about the event with patrons
Guerilla Marketing
Physical Promotional Materials

9. Digital Promotional Materials
Social media posts on all your library’s social media accounts
Advertisements on social media
Create an event on Facebook
Event promotion (newsletter or standalone )
Library’s website and online calendar
Digital Promotional Materials

10. Measuring Civic Engagement Outcomes
Why?
A great advocacy tool!
Gain new perspectives on your program
Suggestions for improvement
How?
Project Outcome Civic/Community Engagement Survey

11. What are your program ideas?
Pajama and books to donate to local children in need.
Community read and Book to action
Helping local women’s shelter
Food donations and organ donor enrollment day
Non-profit partnerships – food baskets for those who need holiday meals
Colorful pillow cases for sick children
Food drive with local food pantry
What are your program ideas?

12. Who are your potential partners?
Food pantry
Women’s shelter
Ryan’s Case for Smiles
Local Fire Department (Organ Donor Drive)
Be The Match (Bone Marrow Donation)
Local Animal Shelter (Pet Adoption)
Pajama Program Non-profit
Family of Woodstock (Saugerties / Kingston / Woodstock) Social Services
State Farm Good Neighbor Program
Who are your potential partners?