PR Forum

An annual program for library public relations and marketing professionals coordinated by the ALA PR Assembly Sonia Alcantara-Antoine, chair

 2011- "PR Forum: Going mobile @ your library®"

ALA Annual Conference, New Orleans

The proliferation of mobile phones and the advent of smart phones are changing the way people use information. Libraries can also take advantage of this new environment to showcase themselves.

Joe Murphy, librarian at Yale University and mobile technology innovator, will discuss how mobile phones provide a unique opportunity for libraries to market themselves at the annual PR Forum at the ALA Annual Conference in New Orleans (June 23-28).


Murphy has focused his professional work on technology trends and the evolving information landscape. Murphy helps libraries and publishers identify, understand and adapt to trends in technology and information engagement as a regular professional speaker and through his Twitter account, @libraryfuture, and his blog, joemurphylibraryfuture.com.

The PR Forum will take place from 8 - 10 a.m. on June 26 at the Morial Convention Center in room 344.  Librarians can add the PR Forum to their New Orleans schedule through the conference scheduler in ALA Connect.

2010- "PR Forum: Next practice in communication @ your library®"

ALA Annual Conference, Washington, D.C. 

In 2007, Stephen Abram spoke before a crowd of 350 people a the PR Forum about Library 2.0. But what’s next? At this year's session to Abram discussed his ideas on the role of social networking in library marketing and communications and on new skills and competencies that library PR folks need. Abram's PowerPoint presentation is now available. The PR Forum is an annual program for library marketing professionals, coordinated by the ALA PR Assembly.

View more presentations from stephenabram1.

2009- "Breaking through the message clutter @ your library®"

 ALA Annual Conference, Chicago

A panel of industry experts offers powerful tips and strategies on how to deliver library messages to the public. Topics include how to reach multi-cultural audiences, using social media to connect with key audiences, how radio is a growing channel through which you can deliver your messages and using letters to the editor and op-eds to communicate your library's story. Co-sponsored by the PR Assembly, in collaboration with the Campaign for America’s Libraries’ subcommittee.

2008- "Diversity @ your library®: Broadening Your Audience and Engaging Communities"

ALA Annual Conference, Anaheim, Calf.

Speaker: Eric Friedenwald-Fishman

Eric Friedenwald-Fishman spoke about reaching out to and engaging diverse audiences, touching on why diversity matters, message development and testing, the importance of cultural context and more.   Download the article that Eric debuted at the PR Forum, "Increasing Relevance, Relationships and Results: Principles & Practices for Effective Multicultural Communication."

As creative director/president of Metropolitan Group, a leading social marketing, PR/communication and resource development firm, Friedenwald-Fishman has served as the key strategist and campaign counsel on hundreds of regional, national and international projects.  In his 20-year career, he has conducted marketing, branding, advocacy, public awareness, capital, endowment, major gift and sponsorship campaigns for libraries and library support organizations.  He is the co-author of “Marketing That Matters: 10 Practices to Profit Your Business.”

2007- "10 Cool Technologies That Can Impact the Public Relations Plan @ your library®"

ALA Annual Conference, Washington, D.C.

Speaker: Stephen Abram

Vice President, Innovation for SirsiDynix, Chief Strategist for the SirsiDynix Institute, President-Elect, Special Library Association, Past-President, Canadian Library Association

Speaker Stephen Abram spoke before a crowd of nearly 350 people about YouTube, Blogs, Wikis, RSS, MySpace and more. Are these just sizzle or are they the steak? Are we ready to move beyond simple websites and e-mails? Has your library's PR plan been adapted to the Library 2.0 world? Web 2.0 is coming fast and it's big. What are the skills and competencies that library PR folks will need?

Handout from Stephen Abram [MS Word]

2006 - "Word of Mouth Marketing @ your library®

ALA Annual Conference, New Orleans

"Word-of-mouth marketing @ your library®" from the experts -- what it is, why it works and how it can be used to engage every staff member, trustee, Friend, faculty member and student in spreading the library message.

Speakers:

Peggy Barber and Linda Wallace
Principals, Library Communication Strategies 

Handout [pdf file]:
"Speak up: the power of
 word of mouth marketing"

Donna Dziedzic

Executive Director,
Naperville (Ill.) Public Library

• Presentation Outline [pdf file]:
  "Purposeful evolution of
   word of mouth marketing"
  

• Naperville Public Library
  Policies and Guidelines [pdf files]:

  • Community Involvement Policy

  • Communications Policy

  • Partnership/Sponsorship Policy

  • Graphics Guidelines

  • Communications Guidelines

  • Community Presence Guidelines

Camila Alire

Dean, University Libraries, University of New Mexico
President, ACRL

• Handout[pdf file]
  "Word of mouth marketing
   tips for academic libraries"

Tim Wadham of the Maricopa County (Ariz.) Library District, winner of the 2006  Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week Grant, is honored at the 2006 PR Forum

2005 - "Getting on the air and into print @ your library®"

ALA Annual Conference, Chicago

An expert panel of Chicago-area media and PR practitioners came together to offer tips and strategies for breaking through the information clutter and delivering library messages in new and creative ways, from editorial boards and op-eds, online press rooms, monitoring chat rooms, news groups and blogs, making the most out of radio and outreach to Spanish-language press.  Moderated by Kathleen Imhoff, chair, ALA PR Assembly

Steve Huntley

Editor, Editorial Page, Chicago Sun-Times

• Remarks [pdf file]

Dave Baum

Host, SCAR-AM, Chicago
Principal, Dave Baum Media Training Group

Emily Forager

Vice President, Fleishman-Hillard

• PowerPoint Presentation:
  "Delivering your message in
   today's online environment"

Raquel Powers

Account Manager, Public Relations,
San Jose Group

• PowerPoint Presentation:
  "Reaching Spanish-language
   press"

Larra Clark
Media Relations Manager, ALA

• A Communications Handbook for Libraries

• Online media relations tools

• Mission of the ALA Public Information Office