Chalice Tillis

 

Patron Motivational Paper

 

          Indeed the face of the modern library has changed from the quiet learning center it once was, to a technology based learning center as

 

well as your more traditional types of learning. Thanks to the technology age we now live in, libraries provide more than books and archival

 

materials for research and enjoyment. However, much of the population still views the library as antiquated. It is up to the library media

 

specialist to promote the library to its fullest. One of the many hats we wear as librarians is that of public relations representative. The old

 

adage, that if you don't do it no one will, applies to todays librarian when it comes to promoting the library. Gone are the days when you only

 

needed to get the students actively coming to the library. We need to motivate the teachers, parents and community as well. There are many

 

motivational activities that can be used to encourage patrons to see the library in a whole new light.                                                                     

        

 

           First and foremost you need to win the students over. Once they find out what an exciting place the library can be it will not be hard to

 

keep them coming back. The enthusiasm of the students will spill over onto their teachers and parents and eventually into the community as a

 

whole. There are so many ways to promote the library that appeals directly to the students. One simple way is through bullentin boards. I pride

 

myself on having very imaginative and attractive bullentin boards and displays. I get so many positive comments on them from teachers and

 

students. They will come into the library and ask for a certain book they have seen on the bulletin board but didn't realize it was in the library.

 

Student's work can also be exhibited by displays or bullentin boards which serve as motivation for them and a way to keep parents and

 

community members informed and involved. (Pappas, 2005)  The part of the building I'm in is very old so attractive bullentin boards really help

 

boost the overall appearance of that part of the building. They give a "happy" feel to it.  Another good way to motivate students is through

 

author/illustrate studies. I found out this past year that researching an author/illustrator really promotes reading in a specific genre.

 

The students remember the author/illustrator and their books and are excited when they happen upon them on the library shelf.  This is also a

 

good way to promote technology in the classroom. So much of an author study is done online that this helps with researching and assessing

 

information skills. 

 

          One of the best ways to keep parents and the community at large informed and motivated about the activities of the library is with a web

 

page. Not just any old web page but one that "POPS". One that says the library is still a modern day fount of information. Two years ago was

 

the first time my school had a really decent web site. Last year however we really worked to make it a page where parents would want to

 

frequent and where they could actually find out information about the school.  The Library media page really underwent drastic changes, for the

 

better. I plan to continue in that same vein this coming year. I was able to reach alot of my working parents where otherwise it would have been

 

difficult to do so. Activities that are taking place in the library, important dates, information about the AVL and new arrivals can be featured on

 

this site. 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)  Another way to keep in the community motivated about the library is to invite key local business

 

people and community leaders to read to classes, take a tour of the facilities, so they can see first hand what you have available. Working

 

hand in hand with the public library goes a long way in promoting the library to the community. 

 

     The best way I've found to promote the library with teachers is through collaboration and.....food.  Working with teachers to help meet the

 

curriculum needs of the classroom goes a long way in promoting the library with teachers. Providing in-services, keeping teachers abreast of

 

new materials and having the library available for school meetings and get togethers will have the teachers seeking out the library more and

 

more. A pleasant attitude and smiling face doesn't hurt either. Last year after I received a new shipment of books I displayed the books on

 

covered tables and served refreshments for the staff while perused the new materials. It was so successful they wanted to know if I was going

 

to do this with every new shipment and just about every teacher left with a book/s that very afternoon. Many came back the following day to get

 

books and made very positive comments.

 

     No one motivational method is better than another one. What works for one school may flop at another. The methods mentioned above, I

 

have found to work well for myself without being difficult to get accomplished. You'll have to remeber what works for your school and expound

 

on those strategies  Whether it be creating attractive bulletin boards, a great web page or inviting community leaders to read or

 

collaboration with the teaching staff it is important to try to instill in your patrons a lifelong love of reading.

 

 

 

References 

 

 

Pappas, M.L. (2005).  Management Matters. Display and Promotion Ideas for Library Media Centers. School Library Media Actitivites Monthly, 38.

 

 

Flowers, Helen F., Public Relations for School Library Media Programs: 500 Ways to Influence People and Win Friends for Your School Library Media Center.  Neal-Schumann Publishers, 1998.

 

 

Bishop, K (2007). The Collection Program In Schools. Westport: Libraries Unlimited.