Get Your Geek On!
Everyday Advocacy: Telling Your Library’s Story
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Holiday Inn/Worthington
Geek Campaign: September 2011-April 18, 2013
Note: After passing our first ever operating levy in May 2010, we knew it would be important to showcase what the library was doing with the tax dollars and we wanted to be able to continue the message of our campaign and keep the library close to mind.
We do not have PR person. The Geek Campaign provided a polished ready-made promotional campaign that was easy to recognize and utilize. Tons of templates, free materials and good support from OCLC staff when needed. Staff and community loved it.
· T-shirts for ALL STAFF
· Graffiti Wall (Public loved silver sharpies)
· Graffiti Wall Part II - Filled out badge with what they geek and posted those on glass, in bookmobile, etc.
· Invited local dignitaries, board members and customers to have Geek poster made. Posters have papered our walls system-wide. Fun ones included “I Geek my Dog” with photo of staff member and dog. One of a horse that said “I Geek Oats”.
o Used black sheet as back drop, later used a large black poster frame with black paper in frame to hang and make a photo op station.
· Jaycees Annual Community Parade/Staff wore Geek Shirts and gave out “Geek” temporary tattoos.
· Trick or Treat on the Square---Staff wore Geek Shirts or dressed in coordination with what they “Geeked.” Library materials on display to represent topics such as “Scuba Diving”.
· Facebook Header & Geek of the Week
· Paid ad in local community “Advertiser” newspaper
· Director’s Column in quarterly newsletter---referenced Geek campaign several times.
· Signature logo on e-mails
· Custom made water-bottle wraps. Bottled water at most all of our programs, board meetings, etc.
· Geek balloons made and used at several events including Teen Battle of the Bands
· Staff “Casual” Days---many wore Geek t-shirt and jeans
· Special program themes: Celtic Dance/March/Irish & Geocaching Program
· Geek Scavenger Hunt involving local businesses throughout the county. Posters in each/scavenger hunt booklet created from postcards. Invited customers to visit business and get stamped. Winners received $50 worth of materials on what they “geeked” and the same materials were purchased for the library and added to the collection in their honor. A winner was chosen at each library location = 6
· Screensavers on all public access catalogs that included posters of staff and locals
· Used as subject/genre guides in the stacks and for special displays
· Geek Kiosk---borrowed from OCLC for an Arbor Day event but rained out. Set-up within the library for a week instead
· National Library Week 2012 (Entire Geek theme for the week. See tri-fold flyer)
· Radio Spots on WCLT-t-100/Local Radio Country Station
· Booth with Geek table cover and handouts @ Final Friday on Square in Downtown Newark
· Thanksgiving “Geek” theme---I am thankful for my library because….. Circular paper badges for customers to fill-out and post within the library
· Billboards to wrap-up campaign featured Mayors of Newark and Heath and finale film premiere
· Film available on our website, www.lickingcountylibrary.info, YouTube channel and on Twitter.
· Film includes customers and staff discussing how the library supports what they “Geek”
More questions about our experience with the Geek Campaign?
Contact: Babette Wofter, Director
Licking County Library
740.349.5503