Branding @ your library – a success story

For Immediate Release
Tue, 04/26/2011

Contact:

Megan McFarlane

CHICAGO – In the fall of 2006, Grand Rapids (Minn.) Area Library Director Marcia Anderson was looking for a new way to promote the library to the local media. It was at the annual Minnesota Library Association's conference that she overheard a group of librarians discussing the Campaign for America’s Libraries’ @ your library brand.

“What caught my attention was that the @ your library brand was something I could easily use to pull together library programs and resources,” Anderson said. “It’s catchy, easy to remember and recognizable.”

The newspaper liked it too and has been running a weekly @ your library column since late 2006. Topics have included “Home energy conservation @ your library,” “Adventurous women @ your library” and “Human Rights Issues @ your library.”

After more than four years, Anderson and the library continue to use the @ your library brand to develop and promote their library services on a weekly basis. Each week, Anderson submits an article about programs being held at the library, literature that ties in with them and new materials and resources that have been added to the library's collection.

“Sometimes you need to repeat an article, but with the resources on the Campaign for America’s Libraries website, atyourlibrary.org and ilovelibraries we are able to provide fresh content and new stories,” Anderson said.

After 200 articles, Anderson and the library continue to see the value in using the @ your library brand.

“Being in a small library, it is hard to find the time to do a lot in the way of promotions and marketing,” said Anderson. “The @ your library brand is a quick and simple way for us to promote what the library does and has to offer.”

The Campaign for America’s Libraries (www.ala.org/@yourlibrary) is the ALA’s public awareness campaign that promotes the value of libraries and librarians. Thousands of libraries of all types – across the country and around the globe - use the Campaign’s @ your library® brand. The Campaign is made possible by ALA’s Library Champions, corporations and foundations.