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Katie Whetzel LIS 688 Assignment 3: Publicity and Promotion April 25, 2011

Robbie Emily Dunn Collection of American Detective Fiction

Introduction
The UNC Greensboro Robbie Emily Dunn Collection of American Detective Fiction came into existence by the donation of Robbie Emily Dunn Lloyds sister who gave Ms. Lloyds private collection to the university. There are several features of the collection that make it a wonderful addition to UNC Greensboros rare book collection. Some of those features are as follows: it focuses on American authors; each book emphasizes women in the leading role of detective; and the donors personal connection to UNC Greensboro. Part of why the collection is unique to UNC Greensboro is because of UNC Greensboros history of being a womens college originally. At the beginning of the collection it was decided to use the strategy of developing a collection with detective fiction by women. However that proved to be too narrow a focus, so it was expanded to include fiction featuring women detectives, regardless of the gender of the author. Another part of why the collection is unique is that Robbie Emily Dunn attended UNC Greensboro (when it was the Womans College) and the Curry School. Furthermore, Ms. Dunns father taught at UNC Greensboro for approximately thirty years. In addition to the statements above, North Carolina has a successful past of literature based in the state as well as having many active writing communities today, in which many authors are recognized nationally. With the Robbie Emily Dunn Collection containing only American authors, it reveals how the local academic institution can reflect the overall history of a nation. Researchers are able to

examine a small cross section of history preserved in these womens detective fiction books.

Primary Audience
The primary audience for promotional events and exhibits of the Robbie Emily Dunn American Detective Fiction Collection are students and also members of the Friends of the Library organization. Student usage is recommended for research in their particular area of study, while the Friends of the Library group probably will be driven more by lectures and events. However, it is advised that promotion of the American Womens Detective Fiction Collection does not limit itself to these groups entirely. For instance, there are also many mystery book clubs connected to public libraries and this would be a niche of people eager to learn about first editions, and the development of a genre that they love.

Recommended Publicity/Promotion
Event- Mystery Dinner Because of the wide assortment of topics related to this collection, there are numerous areas that the special collections librarian can publicize and promote the Robbie Emily Dunn Collection of American Detective Fiction. One of the first ways I thought about promoting the collection is to host a Mystery Dinner that would be best marketed to either the Friends of the Library organization or university students. The Friends of the Library would be a good choice in that it could be marketed to them as being based on a novel within the collection itself, and is set in a particular historical period (i.e. the 1920s). With many of the books in the collection having early 20th Century publication dates, the older generation of Friends of the Library would have a bit more of a personal nostalgia connecting them to an event such as this. Authors such as Mary Roberts Rinehart, and Anna Katherine Green represent the collection wonderfully. They, along with Seeley Regester and others, are considered authors who began to shape the genre of womens detective fiction.

A Mystery Dinner needs participants and modeling it after a specific plotline from a book in the American Womens Detective Fiction Collection would create a mutual experience, forging long-term bonds between members of the group, the special collections staff as well as with the book collection itself. The participants in the mystery dinner would feel as if they were personally invested in the American Womens Detective Fiction Collection. And this has the potential to increase future interactions they have with the UNC Greensboro SCUA (either in attending lectures, etc. or in reference to donations). Now if I were to market this Mystery Dinner event for students, I would make a timely connection with the Harry Potter and Twilight books because that is something that is familiar to them. Signage and/or emails advertising the event to students would include catchphrases like If you loved Hermiones spunky personality from the Harry Potter series, youll find an greater sleuth in Matthew Heads Dr. Mary Finney, a spinster turned detective! Also, including any mention of anything free would catch the eye of an undergraduate. Scholarly Studies/Research The American Womens Detective Fiction Collection has multiple areas that offer opportunities from which to learn for undergraduate and graduate studies. Some of these are sociology, psychology, art/graphic design, and criminal justice. Sociologists could study the sociological processes found within the novels and what their authors portray through them. How women are depicted as lead characters, how plots are developed in the American novel, and the evolution of the mystery novel throughout history are all ways in which English majors might use this collection. Also, criminal justice majors could conduct studies on the perception of criminal acts and/or the justice systems procedures reflected in the represented titles. Posters/Flyers/Emails In order for the special collections department to see an increase in visitors from the above-mentioned academic departments, obviously some publicity needs

to occur. Many undergraduates are simply unaware of the resources that are available to them, much less some faculty members. Therefore, flyers and emails would be employed to inform them of those resources. Flyers are a good use of publicity in that they require some time up front, but have little to no upkeep. They can be posted on bulletin boards, in classrooms, on faculty doors, etc. I would probably opt for some of the colorful (and gaudy) dust jackets to be used in the flyer design so that it would be visually interesting. Better yet, why not get an art or graphic design class to design the flyer? In general, flyers, posters, handouts, pamphlets and all of the rest of the assorted promotional print materials are intended to inform and entice curiosity. Consequently, they must be visually appealing, numerous and cleverly instructive. For the flyers and emails sent to faculty members, an added component would need to be added. It would inform and invite them to partner with the special collections staff in developing a lecture or presentation unique to a particular course. Lectures An example of a lecture generated for a specific class is one put together for an American literature class that examines the works of an individual author, such as Margaret Maron. Margaret Maron attended UNC Greensboro and her works are represented in the American Womens Detective Fiction Collection as well as her manuscripts being held in UNC Greensboros manuscripts area. Most of her work is set in North Carolina therefore both cultural and literary themes could be explored. Another option is for Maron to be a guest speaker. And this could be for a specific course, interdisciplinary studies, or marketed for the general public. Communication with the Greensboro Public Library would be beneficial also due to the contemporary nature of Marons writing. Mystery book clubs or local/state history buffs should be considered when inviting the public to attend the lecture since her fiction falls into both of these interest areas.

Exhibits Another viable recommendation for the American Womens Detective Fiction Collection is to create an exhibit to highlight it. An exhibit on the first floor of Jackson Library would be optimal for students currently not making use of Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives. During autumn, leading up to Halloween would be a good time to have this particular exhibit in place. Another exhibit would be to showcase first and limited editions of books represented in the collection. Additionally, it would be interesting to see what is in the American Womens Detective Fiction Collection and what overlaps into other germane collections. For instance, UNC Greensboros SCUA has several titles in the Womens Collection, of Louisa May Alcotts who is best known for the title Little Women. But unbeknownst to probably the majority of the public is the fact that she wrote in other genres as well- mystery being one of them. With several of her easily recognized titles displayed alongside titles from the American Womens Detective Fiction Collection, there is a huge opportunity to educate. I believe that students will be interested in making a new and intellectual connection with something from their childhood. Digital Promotion Another way to foster distinction is to have the blog for the Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives detail upcoming events and lectures showcasing the American Womens Detective Fiction Collection. I do not think that a specific blog for the collection is necessary due to the irregularity in collection promotion, but it definitely should be included in the SCUA blog. Along those same lines is the fact that the collection should be represented on the SCUA website.

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