My dream came true when I was offered the position of Executive Director, Indiana Library Federation. This non-profit, membership-driven organization seeks to support library professionals by offering continuing education forums and opportunities for leadership in Indiana in library world. We also advocate for libraries in Indiana!
If you are not a member, please visit www.ilfonline.org and to see the variety of events, news, and membership opportunities available. First-time members are only asked to pay $40, and there is a sliding membership fee chart after the first year.
We have several district conferences lined up around the state for 2010. I will still blog but not as much as I used to. Check out Indiana Library Federation on Facebook, too.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Indiana Library Federation's Annual Conference Offers 150+ Sessions
The 2009 Indiana Library Federation promises something for everyone. With 150 sessions ranging from measuring outcomes to learning about Dupral to promoting your library to analyzing data gathered from surveys!
I could go on but suffice it to say check out the sessions on ILF's home page at http://www.ilfonline.org . The conference takes place in Ft. Wayne, Ind., and reasonable lodging is found nearby. More info is on the ILF website.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Sample Form for Release of Liability (Photos at Library)
GENERAL RELEASE OF LIABILITY
The ________(library)______ has permission to use photographs taken at ____(location)____ on ____(date)_____ for promotional purposes, including but not limited to the library’s newsletter, fliers and Web site. No compensation is given for the use of the photo(s) and I hereby agree to waive inspection and approval of said photo(s).
I hereby agree to release, defend, and hold harmless the ____name of library____ and its agents or employees, including any firm publishing and/or distributing the finished product, in whole or in part, from and against any claims, damages or liability arising from or related to the use of the photographs, including but not limited to any misuse, distortion, blurring, alteration, optical illusion or in the taking, reduction or production of the finished product, its publication or distribution.
I affirm that I am over the age of 18 and understand the document I am signing.
___________________________________ ___________________________
Name Date
___________________________________ (relationship to subject)
The ________(library)______ has permission to use photographs taken at ____(location)____ on ____(date)_____ for promotional purposes, including but not limited to the library’s newsletter, fliers and Web site. No compensation is given for the use of the photo(s) and I hereby agree to waive inspection and approval of said photo(s).
I hereby agree to release, defend, and hold harmless the ____name of library____ and its agents or employees, including any firm publishing and/or distributing the finished product, in whole or in part, from and against any claims, damages or liability arising from or related to the use of the photographs, including but not limited to any misuse, distortion, blurring, alteration, optical illusion or in the taking, reduction or production of the finished product, its publication or distribution.
I affirm that I am over the age of 18 and understand the document I am signing.
___________________________________ ___________________________
Name Date
___________________________________ (relationship to subject)
Consent Form for Using Photos Taken at Your Library
This example provides a good starting point. However, as with anything else, it is always a good idea to run a form past your institutional attorney in order to assure that it addresses the laws of your state.
Although language may vary from state to state, all consent forms have a few necessary elements:
1. Who has permission to use the pictures? Generally, this is the library.
2. For which pictures has consent been given? The easiest way to do this is to have a blank line on the form where the date and location will be filled in.
3. For what purpose will the pictures be used? Will they be used for advertising purposes, in library newsletters, or on the web site? Keep the range broad since you may wish to use a photo for different purposes.
4. Waiver of notification or inspection before publication. Include a clause in the consent form specifying that you don’t have to get any further permission or provide any notification before using the pictures. You should also have language stating that the subject does not have the right to inspect or approve pictures before they can be used.
5. Release of rights. This part is tricky because the necessary legal language varies among states, but there should be a clause in the consent form specifying that the subject will not sue you for utilizing the picture, such as “I hereby agree to release, defend, and hold harmless the (fill in name of organization) and its agents or employees, including any firm publishing and/or distributing the finished product in whole or in part, from and against any claims, damages or liability arising from or related to the use of the photographs, including but not limited to any misuse, distortion, blurring, alteration, optical illusion, or in the taking, processing, reduction or production of the finished product, its publication or distribution.”
6. An affirmation that the subject (or parent or guardian) is over the age of 18 and understands what he or she is signing.
7. A signature and date of signing. The easiest way to handle the affirmation and signature is to have one line for subjects over 18 to sign and a separate line for parents or guardians. You should also include a place to enter the date when the form was signed.
Although language may vary from state to state, all consent forms have a few necessary elements:
1. Who has permission to use the pictures? Generally, this is the library.
2. For which pictures has consent been given? The easiest way to do this is to have a blank line on the form where the date and location will be filled in.
3. For what purpose will the pictures be used? Will they be used for advertising purposes, in library newsletters, or on the web site? Keep the range broad since you may wish to use a photo for different purposes.
4. Waiver of notification or inspection before publication. Include a clause in the consent form specifying that you don’t have to get any further permission or provide any notification before using the pictures. You should also have language stating that the subject does not have the right to inspect or approve pictures before they can be used.
5. Release of rights. This part is tricky because the necessary legal language varies among states, but there should be a clause in the consent form specifying that the subject will not sue you for utilizing the picture, such as “I hereby agree to release, defend, and hold harmless the (fill in name of organization) and its agents or employees, including any firm publishing and/or distributing the finished product in whole or in part, from and against any claims, damages or liability arising from or related to the use of the photographs, including but not limited to any misuse, distortion, blurring, alteration, optical illusion, or in the taking, processing, reduction or production of the finished product, its publication or distribution.”
6. An affirmation that the subject (or parent or guardian) is over the age of 18 and understands what he or she is signing.
7. A signature and date of signing. The easiest way to handle the affirmation and signature is to have one line for subjects over 18 to sign and a separate line for parents or guardians. You should also include a place to enter the date when the form was signed.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Libraries featured on Today Show!
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/31237988#31237988
The ALA Public Information Office worked with the Today Show on this
segment and has followed up to encourage NBC affiliates to take up the
story locally. But you can help extend the reach of this positive story
in several ways:
1) Include the Today Show link on your library Web site
2) Reach out to your local media this week with your local story
(particularly NBC affiliates), complemented by national data from the
ALA. Two key data points from the Today Show were: 73% of public
libraries report they provide the only free access to the Internet in
their communities. This rises to 83 percent for rural libraries:
http://tinyurl.com/mupmzd and www.ala.org/plinternetfunding Also, 68
percent of Americans have a library card: http://tinyurl.com/9ewpcc
3) Take advantage of free ALA resources to help tell your story to
media, elected officials and funders:
The ALA Public Information Office worked with the Today Show on this
segment and has followed up to encourage NBC affiliates to take up the
story locally. But you can help extend the reach of this positive story
in several ways:
1) Include the Today Show link on your library Web site
2) Reach out to your local media this week with your local story
(particularly NBC affiliates), complemented by national data from the
ALA. Two key data points from the Today Show were: 73% of public
libraries report they provide the only free access to the Internet in
their communities. This rises to 83 percent for rural libraries:
http://tinyurl.com/mupmzd and www.ala.org/plinternetfunding Also, 68
percent of Americans have a library card: http://tinyurl.com/9ewpcc
3) Take advantage of free ALA resources to help tell your story to
media, elected officials and funders:
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Sending positive messages in a downturn economy
I read an interesting article by Emily Silverman of University of Massacuhusetts who posited that library administrators often, in the face of budget cuts, are tempted to send messages to their publics to rally support, using messages such as "Save the library!" and "We need your help!"
She writes that even though our instincts may tell us to cry out in pain to get the attention we deserve, these types of messages often do more harm than good. Supporters like to respond to a positive message; they like to support an organization that is not in financial trouble. She believes that cries for help do not yield results.
Silverman advises to continue doing as much as you can in finding ways to give users what they want (know your audience) and find multiple ways of communicating your library's successes. Libraries' resources are in incredible demand. Libraries are having to do more with less and we must have honest and confident messages and be forthright about the financial impacts we are facing. But let's tell the good stories and focus on the positive reasons that people are flocking to their libraries. Libraries have transformed to successfully meet changing needs, such as free wifi, DVDs & video cameras for check-out, employment counseling, computers, ESL classes, tutoring, expanded programming for youth and homeschoolers, and free use of community rooms.
Share your statistics, stories and successes in every way that you can, not just using data. Use testimonials by your customers, find partners to help share the message about the many ways that the library impacts its community and build a pool of strong examples and images showing how the library demonstrates value and benefit in good times and bad using print and electronic means.
Take pride in your success (even in a downturn economy) and people will remain committed in you. Yes, it hurts right now and the decisions are tough--harder than most people realize. But it's important to find ways to tell the library's story in ways that encourage financial support without the negative undertone of "save us."
She writes that even though our instincts may tell us to cry out in pain to get the attention we deserve, these types of messages often do more harm than good. Supporters like to respond to a positive message; they like to support an organization that is not in financial trouble. She believes that cries for help do not yield results.
Silverman advises to continue doing as much as you can in finding ways to give users what they want (know your audience) and find multiple ways of communicating your library's successes. Libraries' resources are in incredible demand. Libraries are having to do more with less and we must have honest and confident messages and be forthright about the financial impacts we are facing. But let's tell the good stories and focus on the positive reasons that people are flocking to their libraries. Libraries have transformed to successfully meet changing needs, such as free wifi, DVDs & video cameras for check-out, employment counseling, computers, ESL classes, tutoring, expanded programming for youth and homeschoolers, and free use of community rooms.
Share your statistics, stories and successes in every way that you can, not just using data. Use testimonials by your customers, find partners to help share the message about the many ways that the library impacts its community and build a pool of strong examples and images showing how the library demonstrates value and benefit in good times and bad using print and electronic means.
Take pride in your success (even in a downturn economy) and people will remain committed in you. Yes, it hurts right now and the decisions are tough--harder than most people realize. But it's important to find ways to tell the library's story in ways that encourage financial support without the negative undertone of "save us."
Monday, June 22, 2009
A Never-ending Challenge: Marketing Your Library
Now, more than ever, library personnel must find ways to promote their value and service to their communities, administrators, city council members and others. Even though this was written in 2004 and is a product from Elsevier, a scholarly publisher of science and health info, they are advocates for libraries. This particular newsletter's theme was sharing the library's value and strategic marketing. it has some great info:
http://www.elsevier.com/framework_librarians/LibraryConnect/lcvol1no3sep2003.pdf
http://www.elsevier.com/framework_librarians/LibraryConnect/lcvol1no3sep2003.pdf
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
