I Am a Tool (of Engagement)

Wow.  So my first full-out teleconference experience is over and done with.  I’m exhausted, but pretty exhilarated as well.  The producer of the Library Challenges & Opportunities series, my Associate Dean Ellen Sutton, did a phenomenal job of choosing presenters for this event.  I learned so much from these ladies just by chatting with them during rehearsal, but am completely blown away by what they and their libraries have done as far as reaching out to their patrons and their communities.

Ever since a presentation during the ACRL Fall Virtual Institute two years ago, I’ve had a secret crush on Carleton Library and their enviably cool library trading cards.  I think it was this oh-so creative idea that really got me first thinking about marketing and promoting library services in fresh, fun ways.  Of course, one of my initial questions back in 2006 was “how the heck do you get a group of librarians to buy into something like this?”  In today’s teleconference,  Jennifer Edwins, the Loan Services Manager at Carelton College’s Gould Library, answered this question and many more and added more enviable library programs & services to the list.

So while I continue to be envious of the amazing things that small, four-year liberal arts colleges can do, Valerie Gross, Director and CEO of Howard County Public Library in Maryland, instantly reminded me of all the things I love about public libraries.  I went into library school with every intention of focusing on public librarianship, but ended up steering myself toward academic libraries pretty early on.  I’ve been able to satisfy most of my public librarianship interests in a community college library setting, but listening to the almost revolutionary outreach efforts that Howard County PL has made under Valerie’s active leadership made me think both of how different and how similar these types of libraries can be.  What kind of partnerships could our library be seeking to start or to strengthen?  How many potential collaborators are out there untapped and unconsidered?

Meanwhile, Mary Evangeliste is my new idol.  She is doing and has done so many cool things I just want to jump up and down and cheer and then go get her autograph.  Not only is she is the Director of User Services & Outreach at Gettysburg College, but she’s also the co-founder of an incredibly awesome marketing and design consulting business called Fearless Future.  I tried not to follow her around and pester her with questions the entire time we were preparing for the teleconference, but I did get ample opportunity to pick her brain on a great number of subjects, including how to be an awesome presenter, which she totally is since she’s had a ton of experience talking to libraries and not-for-profits about social marketing.

I was happy not only to have the opportunity to meet these women, but to share some additional examples of library outreach efforts.  You can check out my presentation slides via Google Docs or SlideShare.  I don’t know if I’ll be able to share any clips from the actual teleconference, but I’ll definitely share feedback that I get as a result.

In the meantime, the library’s closing, it’s Friday and I’m exhausted.  A three-day weekend has never looked so welcoming.