another QR Code post

We have a new digital signage system on the library main floor that allows us to create informational slides highlighting library services and events. Mounted on the wall near the library exit, it is viewable from most of the main floor, most importantly the circulation and reserves desk. I've posted images of the library (on a sunny, blue sky day), a simple floor directory, the weather (it's a changing feed), and a few slides for other offices located in the library. In an effort to generate some interest, I went to the Kaywa QR Code Generator, entered the library web site URL, and created as sign for the rotation.

Now we need someone with a web-enabled phone and bar code app to try out the QR code!

The old fashioned way

For the first time since arriving at Ashland University Library, incoming freshman from the college of education are not required to take an introductory technology course. This course served a dual purpose of presenting basic technology skills to be mastered and, from a library and Instructional Resource Center standpoint, guaranteed we would see every one of them in the library at least twice during the term. This week my student workers have been helping me brainstorm marketing ideas.

We talked about creating a Facebook fan page, developing a short series of podcasts featuring the IRC collection, increasing the number (and quality) of IRC blog posts, adding instructional videos to my education LibGuides, creating new Prezi and Animoto videos, and continuing to update the second floor space (visual appeal).

In two weeks the Accent on Success classes, Ashland's first year experience program, will arrive in the library for instruction sessions with the reference librarians. Many of these classes are grouped by declared majors, meaning there will be sessions for education students led by education faculty. While there is generally not time for tours built into the classes, I can certainly provide a parting gift. I updated my old book marks to business cards, featured resources that would be of interest to new students, printed them in color (created in Publisher for the correct Pantone colors), used a square hole-punch and attached them to my IRC pens. I have 126 pens in a clear sterlite box that I will give to a reference librarian later this week. Sometimes simpler is better.

Animoto Rocks!

Diane turned me onto to Animoto last week and since then I've gone cray! To think a a low techie person like me could create something snazzy is simply amazing!

I've done a total of seven so far, including one about an upcoming exhibit on Harry Potter.

I'm cheap; I do the free 30 second videos. Works for me so far. I recommend this to anyone with limited time and skill; it can help market your library in many different ways!

Working with Animoto

It's time to update a library video or two, both the university and library web sites - as well as LibGuides and ERes - look significantly different. I have the original movie saved and could easily insert updated screen shots, but thought this might be the time to try Animoto again. I spent Thursday evening playing, starting with images from the existing one minute video; it quickly became obvious the thirty second free project limit meant significant editing.

The video ran short before several important elements, such as introduction of online resources, were viewed. While processing, items were removed and the project edited to meet time constraints (as promised). It was time to re-interpret the original project and present what was important. I removed the lead in items, images highlighting the differences between old and new, and focused on what is important now. I ruthlessly culled out text and started the movie with a photograph of the library, "cheating" the time limit somewhat by labeling the image as opposed to using the text option in Animoto.

Because the process is fun, I definitely spent more time with it than necessary but it is easy to get involved. Now it's time to share. Each of these Animoto projects feature the same images and text, only the music and style selections are different.

I'm leaning towards the first of the revised projects. While the option to download and save is not available with the free version, it's possible to embed directly from Animoto and the option to export directly to your YouTube account; the export may take time and it warns resulting images will not be as clear. Still, it's an option to have a secondary record. I'm considering a couple additional projects, possibly something for class and/or promoting the Cyber Zed Shed call for proposals.

I also hope to convince Betsy to share her Animoto project from Friday afternoon ...

Update: Exporting the finished Animoto project to YouTube took less than five minutes (including processing time on YouTube). I would guess the amount of time needed would vary considering traffic on either site and internet connection. Overall, video images are not as clear on YouTube, but they are acceptable and text is readable. This is a nice way to have a backup of my project.

Why didn't I think of that?

I've mentioned before my interest in following Hot Stuff to view their "word of the day," peruse what they recommend as other interesting blogs to read, and see how Library Cloud rates; yes, that explains the meter in our sidebar. Today one of the blogs I read for the first time was The Strange Librarian, authored by Julie Strange. Her post, Solution for libraries: digital photo frames, details a variety of uses for simple, and often relatively inexpensive digital photo frames, in the library.

Why didn't I think of that? Especially considering I received one for Christmas (it is currently awaiting photo uploads) and look at it every day in my living room. This idea would work well at the circulation desk for hours, OhioLINK updates, marketing our blog, LibGuides, and web site, and general library information. It could be expanded to our library classroom in the basement posting classes, workshops, and seminars scheduled for the facility. I could use it in the Instructional Resource Center mirroring the circulation desk updates as well as announcements specific to the IRC.

With a bit of planning, this could be a time saver as well as visually appealing. While not horrifically expensive the frames would require budget funds, I do have a fiscal concern. Given the fact that within the last two months four computer mice have left the second floor under mysterious circumstances, is there a need to explore making them secure? Generally speaking, there is usually someone at the circulation desk. But if we submitted work orders to have them mounted outside the IRC or Library Instruction Classroom in the basement, would they follow the mice? Or, would tattle tape be a viable solution (it works for staplers and tape dispensers)?

Collingswood Library Promo

What fun! Posted on Library Garden yesterday, this video is a clever marketing tool for Collingswood Library.

This video does twice the work for me; I am able to pass along one more posting of the fundraising idea here and at the same time illustrate to any students in my technology class (who are conveniently preparing a video assignment due later this week) that may be reading this blog (they share their blogs and I share mine) an example of how video may be used for purposes outside of the classroom.

READ posters abound

I've been mulling over trying to see how my small staff might be able to create some local READ posters for our campus for some time now. The CDs have been gathering dust in my desk for too long! Personally, I think they are neat and have great outreach appeal, especially for small schools. I can see three distinct ways to use them: on campus among the students and faculty, using students (scholars and/or athletes) to give back by creating one of them and allowing them to give them to their home schools and finally, out in the community, featuring local celebrities or government officials with their favorite reads. Many libraries have already been doing such things.

Wow! What a great way to involve a whole community in the simple act of reading!

I just received in the mail today two READ posters from the State Library of Ohio. The featured persons are none other than our Governor, Ted Strickland, and his wife, Frances. How nifty and how generous that they sent a set to all libraries in Ohio! Check out the posters.

We are considering experimenting in developing one as part of our Constitution Day activities. Might be interesting. If only I knew Adobe Photoshop ........

Attention OhioLINK Libraries!!!

Here is info from Candi Clevenger, Chair of the OhioLINK Marketing Taskforce:

The Idea Gallery Contest is back!
It’s simple to enter, just send me your promotion and publicity materials by June 6, 2008 and you could win up to $250 worth of promotional items! The more items you submit, the more times your library will be entered to win.

Complete details follow below and at http://www.ohiolink.edu/ostaff/marketing/gallery/igcontest

What items are eligible for submission? Just about anything you've created to promote your library, which has not been submitted previously. This includes brochures, bookmarks, posters, blogs, Web sites, pictures of promotional items, videos, marketing/communication plans and market research instruments (including surveys, usability tests, etc.). Market research submissions should include any questions asked/instructions given, a brief description of how you did the research and the results (the raw data or a summary will do).

Visit the Idea Gallery to see what's included for more ideas. Don't be dismayed if your item does not fit in an existing category; new examples are especially welcome.

How to enter: E-mail entries to Candi Clevenger by June 6, 2008. Most file formats are acceptable for this contest including PDF, Microsoft Office/Publisher, Adobe and graphic files (JPEG, GIF, TIFF, EPS). If you already have the item posted on your Web site, please just send the URL. Each item that is submitted will be entered in the prize drawing, however items are subject to review by the OhioLINK Marketing Task Force before being added to the Idea Gallery. Please include any helpful information about each submission, such as who created it, how it is used, and the name, title, and e-mail address of who to contact for more information.

Candi is also looking for some print promotion pieces to make over and use to illustrate design principles, so if you have a project you'd like to be considered please note that in your entry e-mail.

Drawing details: The prize drawing will be held on June 9. You'll earn one drawing entry for each item you submit to the Gallery. First prize is $250 to spend in the OhioLINK store, second prize is $150 and third prize is $100. You can even use your store credit to purchase items customized with your library's URL as part of this summer's upcoming group promotional order (order information will be distributed in June; orders will be due in early July).

Please contact me if you have any questions about the contest.

Marketing with pens

Things have started to wind down, before gearing up again for summer coursework, in many academic libraries in the next few weeks. At AU today is the last day of finals and Saturday is graduation. Local streets and campus parking lots are overflowing with parents and students struggling to fit an entire year's worth of accumulated belongings into their car(s). Yesterday my IRC student workers finished their final shifts at closing time and today was my last day with a Graduate assistant in the IRC (I sent her home early as a treat).

With the last week of classes and finals nothing but a fond memory, it is time to take stock of remaining orders to be submitted (the end of our fiscal year is near) and consumable resources necessary for running the resources. Suddenly I need more copy/printing paper, toner/color toner, pens, paper, markers, laminating film, construction paper, sentence strips, and poster board. That brings me to the smiley face mug of purple pens. It is amazing the number of students who want to "borrow" pencils and pens in a library. In the IRC we have often remarked amongst ourselves that it is no surprise Banks and other institutions chain pens to the counter!

This year I decided to purchase purple pens for the IRC that have our name, the library name, and the IRC web site imprinted in white. Alpha Promotions, Inc. is a local company that has a nice collection of pens; plus, I have worked with Lisa for ALAO (the cool blue conference program holders) and the Art of the Picture Book Conference in 2006. If students are going to take our pens, and if I am able to use the pens for targeted marketing opportunities on campus, they may as well advertise the Instructional Resource Center. Much to the delight of my senior student workers, the pens arrived prior to graduation and it did not take long before the cup on the desk needed to be filled.

It's the little things that make us happy! Smile ... and have a pen.