Library Public Awareness and Programming Initiatives
Looking to enhance the public's awareness of your library and its services? Check out some of these initiatives:
Association of Library Service to Children's initiative impressing the importance of and encouraging parents to read to the youngest child. Included are talking points, implementation suggestions, a bibliography of titles to read, and links to other agencies interested in early literacy.
The Campaign for America's Libraries is designed to achieve the following broad objectives:
Increase awareness and support for libraries by increasing their visibility in a positive context and by communicating why libraries are both unique and valuable; Update the image of libraries, librarians and all library staff for the 21st century, sustaining and strengthening their relevance; Bring renewed energy to the promotion of libraries and librarians; and Bring library messages to a more diverse audience.
The Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) is a grassroots consortium of states working together to provide high-quality summer reading program materials for children at the lowest cost possible for their public libraries.
El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day), known as Día, is a celebration of children, families, and reading held annually on April 30. The celebration emphasizes the importance of advocating literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
El 30 de abril es una fecha muy significativa para los niños. Se celebra el día de los niños y de los libros. Esta celebración se conoce como El día de los niños/ El día de los libros, y celebra la alegría y las maravillas de la infancia y la importancia de los libros en nuestra vida.
Launched in September 2008, this campaign was developed with Univision Radio and ALA to reach out and encourage members of the Latino community to use their local library. The campaign communicates how libraries create opportunities for Latino adults and their children by providing trusted help from librarians and free access to information. Included are 2 PSAs in English and Spanish, downloadable posters, flyers and bookmarks.
Current research on early literacy and brain development indicates that it is never too early to prepare children for success as readers. Parents of newborns, toddlers and preschoolers must be informed of their critical role as their children's first teacher. These workshops and parent and caregiver resources will enable you to initiate new early literacy services or to enhance ones you already have.
Guys Read is a web-based literacy program devised by Jon Scieszka to help boys locate "stuff" they like to read. The interactive website is divided into two parts, one is focused for boys to use. The other is focused for adults.
A Web site designed by ALA for the general public -- a place where those outside of the library community learn more about the excitement and vitality of today's libraries, and in the process become active advocates for improving libraries of all types.
Launched in September 2007, PR guru Stephanie Stokes has assembled many kid-friendly ideas and suggestions for libraries to spice up their publicity and programs. Many free downloadables include fonts, camera-ready bookmarks, tips on using costumed characters, and ideas and links for CLSP's 2008 Summer Reading Program (SRP) theme: Catch the Reading Bug. Also included is a link to a company selling puppets that would add sizzle to any SRP.