Libraries Transform Arkansas

This campaign was adopted from the ALA Libraries Transform campaign and encourages a broader perspective on the importance of libraries in Arkansas. As library workers know, libraries are about more than just technology and books, but about the people and communities that have made our mission so important.

The Library Advocacy Community of Interest group (LACI) has created images that raise awareness of the many ways that libraries are transforming their communities. Each image includes a “because” statement that explains the importance of libraries and each statement comes in various sizes to be shared across multiple platforms.

These images are free to use, and library supporters are welcomed to create their own “because” statements using the image files provided.

For more information on the ALA initiative, Libraries Transform visit www.ala.org/advocacy/libraries-transform-campaign

We can’t wait to see how you to decide to show how libraries are transforming Arkansas!

Libraries Transform Arkansas Graphics

Campaign Plan Libraries Transform Arkansas

Campaign time frame:

●       Through the month of September to coincide with Library Card Sign Up Month

Challenge: To advocate for libraries throughout the state of Arkansas by engaging in conversation about the impact libraries make in their community every day.

Main Goal: By providing graphics and a campaign model for Arkansas Libraries we hope it will make an impactful connection and provide a fresh opportunity to position libraries as vital to the people it serves and the community at large. This includes:

●        Promoting awareness of the unique role of your library and its contributions

●        Increase visibility and support for your libraries and librarians

●        Better market library services

Engage plan:

●       Use posters, signage, and graphics for impact

●       Distribute campaign information to patrons and outside in the community

●       Ask libraries to create their own events to coincide with the campaign

The graphics and campaign information will be available with a link on the ArLA website and will be relevant to all library types including schools, public, academic, and private.

Marketing Strategy:

●       Provide a hashtag to be used during the campaign for all social media platforms #librariestransformarkansas #librariestransformar

●       Share and provide videos so libraries can showcase their story during the campaign

●       Push social media marketing and outreach

●       Provide marketing material including press releases, brochures, and graphics

●       Reach out to important businesses and community leaders

What are Libraries Transforms?

Libraries Transform is an ALA initiative focused on increasing the public awareness of libraries and the critical role they play in transforming lives and communities through education. Libraries Transform Arkansas is a campaign through the Library Advocacy Community of Intrest group (LACI) and the Arkansas Library Association (ArLA) toadvocate for libraries throughout the state of Arkansas by engaging in conversation about the impact libraries make in their community every day.

Main Goal of the campaign: By providing graphics and a campaign model for Arkansas Libraries we hope it will make an impactful connection and provide a fresh opportunity to position libraries as vital to the people it serves and the community at large. This includes:

●        Promoting awareness of the unique role of your library and its contributions

●        Increase visibility and support for your libraries and librarians

●        Better market library services

Graphics and promotional material

Graphics have been made specifically for Arkansas libraries (schools, public, academic and private) so they can be printed, displayed, and shared on all types of media. To access these resources please go to

 Libraries Transform Arkansas Graphics

Campaign Plan for Arkansas Libraries

STEP 1:

INTRODUCE YOUR CAMPAIGN

• Take time to educate your staff about your campaign, how and why it was developed, discuss your internal goals, and walk them through the PR materials.

• Send a press release to your local media, and appropriate community partners (e.g., schools, arts institutions, local businesses, community organizations, etc.).

STEP 2:

START IN YOUR LIBRARY

• Consider creating and placing large banners outside of your library or use your outdoor message board if you have one by using the graphics on the ArLA website (insert site here). Also, put up posters and/or specific campaign displays and add campaign information to your library computers.

• Tell the campaign story to your patrons verbally or via displays to ensure they spread the word into the community. Encourage patron participation by asking them what their “because statement” is, create a statement wall that anyone can add to, or feature patrons who are passionate about interesting things around the library.

• Add a campaign element to current library programs and integrate your awareness campaign whenever appropriate (e.g., use the #librariestransformarkansas when using social media platforms).

• Be sure to mention the campaign to anyone you usually partner with during your normal meetings and inspire patrons to tell their friends about the campaign as well.

• Ask staff to wear custom t-shirts, buttons, lanyards, or stickers in the library and when they are at community events.

• Add a special campaign e-mail signature—and encourage your staff to do the same—so every communication includes mention of your awareness campaign.

• Add campaign messaging on your library website and incorporate campaign messaging into all of your social networking sites.

STEP 3:

TAKE IT INTO YOUR COMMUNITY

• Inform influential community members and library supporters about your campaign and let them know how they can help you spread the word.

• E-mail, call or visit local community partners (e.g., local businesses, schools, organizations, and institutions, etc.) to introduce your campaign. If you adopt the ‘Libraries Transform Arkansas’ terminology, be sure to educate them appropriately and explain the concept. Walk them through or send them a link to (?). Ask if they can put up posters, give out material, add information to their websites, etc. Also, inspire participation by sharing the local images.

• Once you establish partnerships, ask to piggy-back with them on advertising or in literature.

• Add a campaign component to any events you have in the library and out in the community.

• Find out what events are going on in your community that you could take part in and include a campaign element. This is your chance to try something different.

• Ask community organizations—or any of your community partners—if you could speak and introduce your local awareness campaign at a regular meeting.

• Hold an event or meeting at the library inviting the public to come in.

• Ask your city or county if you can work together to promote your campaign (e.g., newsletters, banners on buildings, info at events, etc.).

• Use this opportunity to build a strong relationship with local media. Invite them to visit the library to discuss its value in the community and the critical funding issues you face, and the importance of this campaign.

STEP 4:

ENCOURAGE PUBLIC INTERACTION

• Encourage the public to discuss how the public library brings value to individuals and communities, as well as the critical funding challenges they face, with other members of the community.

• Let the public make their own “because” statements.

• Build programming around the campaign to encourage public interaction.