'Fotched-On' Librarian

Newsletter November

Promoting an Eclectic Librarianship in Rural Appalachia Do You Know How To Assess Your Library? . . .
You have to look through their eyes.
Why do businesses loose customers? The American Society for Quality Control found that: 1% die 7% are lured elsewhere 9% go to the competition 15% leave due to quality issues AND 63% leave because they feel ignored! Thank you.

WELCOME
It is my hope that you will find the content of this newsletter helpful as you strive to serve your community and embed your library into its DNA. Please share what you like with others by sharing this newsletter with a friend.

THE QUOTE
When they pull up in the parking lot, when they walk through the door, and when they address staff, what goes through the mind of your user population? Think about it. There are many factors which influence and create visitor impressions of you and your library. Consider how you personally size up any new place you enter whether it be a retail store, park, office, stadium, hospital or even another library. What things do you look for? What do you consider important? What turns you off? What keeps you coming back for more? If you are like me, you will probably look for cleanliness, directional signs, organization and lay out, color and approachability - which includes access to contents as well as access to staff. As you look around, you are picking up all kinds of sensory cues that you are not even conscious of. If you are being affected by these things in a place of business, then your library users are also being affected in the same Marketing is absolutely essential, and serious skills are necessary to do it right and to keep your business afloat." Kathy Dempsey

GIFTS TO MARKET AND ADVERTISE YOUR LIBRARY

The Renaissance Library Collection

TOOLS For ASSESSING YOUR

manner when they enter your library. Take a hard look. Look at your library, staff and services through the eyes of your public. Examine your physical spaces; your online environment; y0ur printed materials; your customer service; and be aware of the attitudes of your staff and their physical appearance. Whether you like it or not, looks matter. Ask yourself some very hard questions. Is my library visible and accessible to the public? Is my library dark and ugly? Is my library confusing? Are my staff likable and approachable? Are my staff clean and dressed professionally? Do my marketing materials appear faded and copied numerous times? Is my web page up to date and flattering? Is my library my community's friend? The list can go on and on. You get the idea. The relationship between your content and your physical attributes are directly related: no matter how great one is, if the other is bad or negligent, the whole package is ruined. Perhaps it is time for you to explore your user's library experience and your non-users reasoning.

LIBRARY

Prove out your Value Value Workbook ToolKit

WHAT IS A 'FOTCHED-ON' LIBRARIAN?

Check out this link to see if you qualify! Special Libraries

THE QUOTE
The first question the consultant should ask is not: 'How good is this library?' It should be: 'What does this library mean to this community?' " Gardner Hanks

IN THIS ISSUE Building Your Base ToolKit Word of Mouth Marketing Valuing Libraries Resource Page

PRESENTATIONS FOR YOUR INFORMATION AND PUBLIC USE

Video presentations available at 'Fotched-On' Librarian's Channel PowerPoint presentations available at

Do You Practice Info-Age Etiquette?

The Settlement Library Project

Some things you need to know.

Electronic mail involves written rules and language styles. Here are some fine points to consider: Be concise. Some people receive hundreds of emails a day. Keep yours short and to the point. Avoid flames and spam. A flame is an inflammatory or critical message and spam is just plain junk mail. Anyone can forward your message to someone else so be careful what you say, how you say it, and what you send. Sign your e-mails. Most e-mail programs let you compose a signature that will automatically appear on each message you send. It appears more professional. Do not use all capital letters. Typing in caps is the equivalent of shouting. Do not repeat messages. Be patient. You could be perceived as pestering. Use threads. Keeping the thread together makes it easier to follow the chain being exchanged and will protect your content. Be wary of attaching files. Scan incoming attachments with a virus protection program and be aware of long waits associated with downloading if you send one. People are impatient. Clean your email. Keeping your email box to a minimum by deleting will free up space in the inbox and speed up e-mail productivity. Protect your password. Do not use common names or numbers and never give out your password. Log off or Log out. If you are using someone else's computer or a public access computer,

Published Works available at Fotched-On Librarians Documents Profile available at 'Fotched-On' Librarian's Network

ONLINE SEMINARS
Library Journal Webcast Archives WebJunction Webinar Archives SirsiDynix Institute Webcast Archives

IS YOUR RURAL LIBRARY A SETTLEMENT LIBRARY? IT'S ALL ABOUT ACTION . . .

A 'Settlement Library' is a social enterprise and symbolic site of collective memory for each individual rural community it serves. A 'Settlement Library' encourages individual learning and self-mastery as a way to address change personally, socially, environmentally, and politically. A Settlement Library is a trusted neighborhood think-tank, equitable

if you do not log off, the person behind you can use your account to send e-mail giving the recipient the impression that the communication comes from you. Protect your library and personal e-mail account, be patient and be kind.

source for civic thinking, and clearinghouse for community-wide resources.

VISIT THE BLOG AT

http://circuit-outrider.blogspot.com/

Do You Know How To Connect With Your Community? . . .

Here is what you need.
Do you need a focused marketing effort to reach your user base? Do you know how to identify and develop products, services or materials for your marketing effort? There is a free toolkit available which was created on behalf of the "Building Your Base" project. It was funded by the Federal Library Services and Technology Act and awarded to the New York State Library by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services in 2007-2008. Here is what it can help you accomplish: Create an awareness Generate interest Inform and educate Establish credibility Boost reputation and image Increase visibility Promote important programs and services Develop a communications link with the community

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ARE YOU A FREE AGENT?

Open to Create Less is More Able to Deliver Ready to Impact

THINK ABOUT IT THE QUOTE

"Live the love you have for your profession outside the library!" Kathy Dempsey

Enhance relationships

This toolkit will help you build a relationship in your community that will transcend budget cuts using every form of media available to you. So get to it!

Housekeeping Tricks of the Trade . . .

For the rural librarian, funds may be scarce for housekeeping. Here are some easy solutions to everyday problems in the library that wont break the bank.

THE JOKE
Four surgeons were taking a coffee break and were discussing their work. The

You Need a Basic Cleaning Kit!

Reliable cleaners are the backbone of every library. Just keep it simple. Here are the bare necessities for every task you are likely to face. Cleaning Agent: All-Purpose Cleaner Ammonia Baking Soda Bleach Dish washing Liquid Metal Cleaner Rubbing Alcohol White Vinegar Appliances and Tools: Broom and Dustpan Bucket Cloths or Sponges Feather Duster Mop Paper Towels Scrubbers Vacuum Cleaner

first one said, "I think accountants are the easiest to operate on. Everything inside is numbered." "I think librarians are the easiest," said the second surgeon. "When you open them up all their organs are alphabetically ordered." The third surgeon said, "I prefer to operate on electricians. All their organs are color coded." The fourth one said, "I like to operate on lawyers. They're heartless, spineless, gutless, and their head and rear-end are interchangeable."

THE WORD
"Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near." Isaiah 55:6

COMMUNITY FOCUS=CUSTOMIZED SERVICES=CUSTOMER VALUE