Mohawk Valley Library System

Blog

  • Free Webinar – Baby and Me at the Library!

    Date: Thursday, October 17, 2019 
    Time: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM 
    Place: Online at http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/earlylit/webinars.htm
    Presenters: Brigid Hubberman, Founder of the Children’s Reading Connection
    Cost: Free

    Imagine if one of the first public places families go with their new babies is to the public library…and then they never stop!

    In this webinar, participants will learn how the library can welcome, celebrate, and support families with new babies, helping them to develop an early and lifelong love of libraries. Participants will also gain knowledge in positioning their library as an early literacy leader in the community, through effective partnership building and outreach. Multiple resources will be shared, including free templates for Baby’s First Library Card that libraries may customize and use.

    This webinar will be recorded and archived.

  • Free Webinar – What’s Your E? : The E’s of Libraries

    Date: Tuesday, September 24, 2019
    Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
    Place: Online at https://tinyurl.com/y2w3ybkx
    Presenters: Alan Fishel, Charity Tyler, Paula Miller
    Cost: Free

    You know that your library is vital to your community, but how do you communicate its importance to elected officials, community leaders, funders, and other key stakeholders? How can you talk about what your library does using their language? Learn how to use The E’s of Libraries® – Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Empowerment, and Engagement – to demonstrate why your library is essential.

    United for Libraries Board Member Alan Fishel will discuss the concept of The E’s of Libraries® and how to overcome the “reality-perception” gap that comes with library advocacy. Charity Tyler, Executive Director fo the Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Public Library Foundation and United for Libraires board member, will discuss how to apply The E’s to your library and Foundation. Paula Miller, Director of the Baltimore County (Maryland) public Library, will discuss how her library uses The E’s of Libraries, and how it was used for Maryland Library Legislative Day.

    If you cannot attend live, a recording will be sent to all registrants following the live webinar.

  • Free Webinar – Library Marketing Basics : Promoting on a Shoestring Budget

    Date: Friday, September 13, 2019
    Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
    Place: Online at https://tinyurl.com/y2s2rmh3
    Presenter: Mark Aaron Polger
    Cost: Free

    Meet Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Library Outreach Mark Aaron Polger and his latest book, Library Marketing Basics (Rowman & Littlefield, 2019), a resource designed for those new to library marketing. In addition to providing step-by-step instructions on how to successfully market your library, this book also discusses the difference between marketing, promotion, publicity, outreach, advocacy, and advertising; examples of marketing initiatives from the corporate world (think Wendy’s “Where’s the Beef?” campaign); and public relations events.

    In this free, one-hour webinar, Mark will talk “true” marketing and how to apply it to your library. You’ll hear about tools to plan and implement marketing campaigns, examples of marketing plans, social media marketing guidelines, brand audits, and how to get buy-in from your colleagues and your stakeholders. The premise of Library Marketing Basics is that library marketing is not a bad term, but a means for survival in a world dominated by Google, Facebook, Amazon, and others. Join us Friday, September 13, and learn that you don’t need a marketing degree to know what real marketing looks like.

    Can’t make the date? Register for Booklist‘s upcoming webinars and we’ll send you the archive after the event!

  • Free Webinar – Library Promotion in the Digital Age : How to Engage Your Patrons in the Library and at Home

    Date: Thursday, July 25, 2019
    Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
    Place: Online at https://tinyurl.com/y4gtkj6r
    Presenters: Angela Hursh, Public Library of Concinnati and Hamilton County, Nicole Markisohn, Recorded Books
    Cost: Free

    The digital age has changed the way the public interacts with libraries. Patrons can now access a wide variety of content and services without physically visiting a library location. This means that if you’re only focusing on in-library promotion, you’re missing a key opportunity to grow and engage your patron base. According to Pew Research Center, 93% of library patrons are internet users, and 75% are smartphone users—and as the digital-native Millennial and Gen Z generations continue to represent a larger segment of the overall population, digital promotion will become increasingly important.

    This webinar will cover how digital promotion can help you engage your patron base both in-library and elsewhere, reach more prospective patrons who aren’t yet using the library, and drive adoption and usage of digital content services.

    In this free 60-minute webinar you will:

    • Learn about digital promotion best practices
    • See real-world examples of effective campaigns
    • Hear from Angela Hursh, library marketing expert at The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
    • Get actionable tips that you can immediately implement in your library

    Can’t make the date? No problem! Register now and you will receive an email post-event with the URL to access the on demand recording at your convenience.

  • Joseph F. Shubert Library Excellence Award

    Applications are being accepted for the Joseph F. Shubert Library Excellence Award.  The Award will recognize a New York State library or library consortium that has taken significant steps to improve the quality of library service to its users.  As in past years, an award of $1,000, graciously donated by the Friends of the New York State Library, will be given to the winner along with a plaque at the annual New York Library Association conference in the Fall.

    Projects nominated for the Award should document measurable progress in identifying user needs, taking steps to meet those needs, and evaluating the results.  All types of libraries are eligible to apply (academic, public, school and special).  Previous applicants are encouraged to apply, and previous winners of the Award may apply after 3 years.

    For more information about the Shubert Award and the application form, please go to http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/adviscns/rac/award/index.html or contact Paula Paolucci in the State Librarian’s office at (518) 474-5930 or via e-mail at Paula.Paolucci@nysed.gov.  Applications must be sent electronically and must be received by August 1.