Based on my personal experience I have discovered a disturbing trend in my county’s educational process.  The older students get, the less they use the library, the more frustrated teachers become in implementing library use, the less involved parents become in the entire process and the less informed and involved community members are.  Motivating students, teachers, parents and community members to use the library is a full time job.  There are a number of motivational activities that can be used to encourage patron use.  It is important that they are implemented in order to gain back the interest of the students and teachers and the confidence of the parents and community.

          One tool I would use to motivate the patrons is the use of a LMC webpage.  In today’s society the World Wide Web is extremely influential and maintaining an up-to-date webpage could be key to the success of the library.  New materials can be featured on the page as they arrive.  Assignments from teachers could be posted as a way to help students complete their work and keep parents informed.  Pictures of activities that occur in the library can be posted as a means of keeping parents and community members involved on the happenings in the library.  (Bishop, 2007)

          The use of booktalks is another motivational tool that I would use in the promotion of the library.  A booktalk can be compared to a movie trailer and is used to sell the patron on a particular book (http://nancykeane.com/booktalks/faq.htm).  Booktalks can be done during a daily devotional by the LMS, teachers or students to spark interest.  The LMS can give professional booktalks to teachers, parents and community members as a means of informing them of relevant books that are available.

          Using displays and bulletin boards is also a method I would use in motivating patrons to use the library.  Displays and bulletin boards make the LMC attractive and exciting to patrons.  Student’s work can be exhibited by displays or bulletin boards which serve as motivation for them and a way to keep parents and community members informed and involved.  (Pappas, 2005)  Displays can be used to introduce new materials that have arrived.  Patrons can also become actively involved in the creation of a library display or bulletin board.

          Promoting a library will vary based on ones situation.  Various methods should be used and will serve as trial and error.  Certain techniques will work better than others based on the patrons.  Implementing a webpage gets information to all patrons on an immediate basis.  Holding booktalks gets parents and community members in the school and hopefully more involved.  Being creative with displays and bulletin boards positively promotes the library and helps get patrons excited about using the LMC.  Whatever the method used it is important to get your patrons involved and keep them involved.

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