Libraries big and small need the support of their communities. In pre-COVID times, fundraising could run the gamut from a book sale to a large Gala with a keynote author. This is yet another area where libraries have had to pivot to the “new normal”. Cindy Sharek, Director of Donor Relations for the King County Library System Foundation, shares how they’ve adapted. How are you using Virtual Campaigns? The KCLS Foundation participates every year in three giving days. Library Giving Day (April 23) GiveBig (May 5-6) Giving Tuesday (Dec. 1) In 2020, these were even more important to our fundraising for the year. All three were virtual and we had great results. We used email campaigns, social media posts, and direct mail to spread the word. We were able to put together a strong match pool for Library Giving Day and raised over $110,000 between GiveBig and Library Giving Day….
Author: Public Awareness Committee
Zoom Tips for Libraries II
In June, I shared tips from King County Library System for using Zoom. But we all know that the name of the game is flexibility and iteration, so here’s an update on where we are now.
Fantasy and Sci-Fi Children’s Novels from Diverse Perspectives
I had been looking forward to this year’s Summer Reading theme, Imagine Your Story, since it was announced a few years ago. Fantasy is one of my favorite genres and I knew the programs and displays we could have around that theme would be wonderful. Of course like most things in 2020 things are not going the way I expected.
ALA Virtual Planning Guide
It’s hard to believe that in an alternate timeline we would be getting ready to head to Chicago for ALA Annual this week. Unfortunately, the in-person event was cancelled this year. Thankfully, we have ALA Virtual- Community Through Connection to (at least partially) fill in that gap. There is a lot going on and the event scheduler can be overwhelming. Here are some sessions and meetings that will be of interest to youth librarians (all descriptions found on the ALA Virtual website):
Zoom Tips for Libraries
If you had asked me in January what new skill I was looking forward to mastering I would not have answered Zoom! But fast forward a few months and the King County Library System’s last open day due to COVID-19 was March 13. After evaluating our options, we created a 10 person Zoom team to produce central programming. Almost 8 weeks later, here are the best practices we’ve adopted. Communicate, Communicate, Communicate Shifting your programming online is an iterative process! We have one-stop where staff can find everything they need to know. Live Programming: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Facebook Live, Conference Calls Recorded Programming: YouTube and our website Best Practices Shared Central Calendar With 50 branches used to only looking at their calendar, we needed to pivot to a more central approach. We want to offer story times, but we don’t want to have similar programs competing against one another. When…
Taking Care in the Time of Corona
Three weeks before my library system closed and issued work-from-home edicts, I started a new position managing school-age children’s programming. It was, and is, an exciting shift after a handful of years in public service. Starting a new position, even one where you already know your colleagues or your library system, can be challenging in the best of circumstances, and starting a new position immediately before a global health crisis means trial by fire.
Adapting The Championing Children’s Services Toolkit During Pandemic
Last fall, ALSC’s Public Awareness Committee launched the Championing Children’s Services Toolkit. The toolkit has been a resource for children’s librarians advocating for the work they do in their communities.
Nuts and Bolts: The Difference Between Award and Process Committees
ALSC has many avenues to volunteer and gain experience, some more high profile than others, but all extremely valuable to the division. There are two types of committees — process and awards — both present opportunities for growth, but very different in their roles and responsibilities.