Marketing and Advocacy
Your IFLS staff person for marketing and communications is Rebecca Kilde (kilde@ifls.lib.wi.us).
Questions about advocacy can go to John Thompson (thompson@ifls.lib.wi.us).
Tools and templates
for IFLS libraries
MORE
MORE app marketing toolkit
MORE e-card Facebook post or blurb graphic Suggested text: If you don’t have a regular library card from a MORE-member library and you’re a Wisconsin resident, you can get an e-card to use MORE’s shared electronic resources. Find the e-card self-registration form here.
Understand advocacy
Don’t run away from this critical tool for your library’s current and future success! Start here:
The Reluctant Library Advocate webinar with Jill Markgraf
- Reluctant Library Advocate Recording
- Reluctant advocate slides
- The Reluctant Library Advocate Activity Report
Advocacy 101 with Jim Tripp and Rebecca Kilde
Library Legislative Day, 2023
Library Love Story handout created for 2023 Library Legislative Day
- Use this Print version IFLS 2022 Library Love Stories pdf to print on a copier
- Use this Digital 2022 IFLS Library Love Stories pdf to display digitally.
Resources
The best resources, curated by Reb
Marketing resources
- Angela Hursh’s Super Library Marketing blog. This is the best library marketing blog I’ve found: it’s timely and actionable. She does a great job of covering social media trends.
- From 2020, a Marketing Plan template developed specifically for libraries by marketing staff from several Wisconsin library systems. There’s also an introductory webinar available.
General design resources
Accessible Design Handbook I found this handbook from The Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario. The first chapter is on print design and it’s a clear and concise explanation of what’s important, with examples.
This pdf is a handy chart that explains different file formats and color formats for different applications. PROPR-File-Color-Guide-v01-1
Cole Zrostlek’s Canva Resources (from Tech Days)
Communications
Press releases
Most news outlets are ridiculously understaffed. They aren’t likely to have enough journalists around to read a press release, figure out how it applies to their audience and then write a news story about it. I think it’s much more effective to tell a story: https://allgoodtales.com/press-release-tell-story/
Website and digital
Use these now
Explore MORE Passport Program
- Explore MORE Passport Program toolkit is a monthly update for library staff with social media posts, ideas and news.
- Explore MORE Passport Campaign page is the informational public page.
Library Love Story
Library Love Story toolkit, updated each year prior to Library Legislative Day. You can use this all year.
Annual Reports
- Anne Hamland’s adding Annual Report info to your website video
- The DPI has an infographic tool. Instructions are on their website.
- Templates: click the images for your 2022 canva templates. The Trustee version has a page about customizing graphs and charts in Canva. The February 2023 Marketing Monthly is about annual reports. Most IFLS libraries use Canva. If you don’t use it please contact me, Reb Kilde, at kilde@ifls.lib.wi.us or submit a HelpDesk ticket and let me know the specific resource that would be useful for you. The WPI also has some tools for visualization, available on their website.
Here are the design and marketing support services that IFLS offers:
- Annual bulk library card order (November), magnet bulk order (February), library card design.
- Marketing Monthly, an e-letter about design and marketing.
- Logo design: Reb has been designing logos for almost 30 years. If you don’t like her style, Reb can help you make sure that the logo you design comes in the formats you need to be used for small and large scale applications. Here are some examples of Reb’s work: Wilberg Memorial Public Library of Osceola, Glenwood City (from student-created sketch), Turtle Lake, Mosaic on a Stick, Spring Hill Community Farm
- Marketing strategies.
- General design assistance: (Somerset info sheet, Lisa requested help with the Menomonie Public Library annual report brochure), accessibility, editing (I encourage Plain Language).
- And more. Just ask.
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