Public awareness programs focus on using new and traditional media

Contact: Megan McFarlane


Campaign Coordinator


Campaign for America’s Libraries


ALA Public Information Office


312-280-2148


mmcfarlane@ala.org

For Immediate Release


June 2, 2009

CHICAGO- Industry experts will come together at the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago (July 9-15) to talk about how libraries can use new and traditional media.

At the PR Forum, 8 to 10 a.m., July 12, in McCormick Place West room 192B, a panel will address how to reach multi-cultural audiences, reaching audiences through social media, delivering library messages through radio and using letters to the editor and op-eds. Speakers include Tom McNamee, editorial page editor, Chicago Sun Times; Dave Baum, Chicago broadcaster and media trainer; Eric Friedenwald-Fishman, creative director/president, Metropolitan Group; Kevin Kirkpatrick, executive vice president, Metropolitan Group; George Eberhart, editor, American Libraries Direct; and Megan Humphrey, manager, Campaign for America's Libraries.

The program is sponsored by the PR Assembly of the ALA Public Awareness Committee in cooperation with the ALA Public Information Office, and co-sponsored by the Campaign for America’s Libraries.

Legendary Chicago broadcaster and media trainer Dave Baum returns Sunday afternoon to offer his popular media relations training session, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., at McCormick Place West in room W-194B. Baum will provide tips on how librarians can effectively deliver their key messages and garner favorable media coverage. Baum has trained dozens of ALA presidents and division president-elects since 2000.

Between these two programs, Swap ‘n’ Shop will showcase hundreds of inspiring examples of promotional materials from all types of libraries and at all budget levels, free for the taking. The event also displays the entries to the 2009 Best in Show PR competition, with the awards ceremony beginning at 12:30 p.m. Swap ‘n’ Shop is sponsored by the Library Leadership Administration & Management Association (LLAMA), a division of ALA. It runs from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the McCormick Place West exhibit floor in the special events area.

Also at Swap ‘n’ Shop, Lisa Powell Williams of the Moline Public Library will be on hand at the Campaign for America’s Libraries’ table to answer questions about the library’s winning 2009 Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week grant application.

The Campaign for America’s Libraries (
www.ala.org/@yourlibrary) is 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 in part by
ALA’s Library Champions.