Marketing Committee – 2014. 08.25

The Marketing Committee Meeting was called to order by Susan Meister at 7 pm. Susan, Kelly Wilhelm and Linda Cappello were in attendance. Committee member Crystal Catching sent her regrets.

The main topic of discussion was defining “Library Outreach at Lebanon Fall Festival, October 4.”  We recommend the following:

• A table for the Library, staffed by Board members, for resident and non-resident library card signup; brochures; “advertising” of services; thank you for support. This table would be located at or near the front door of the Library.
• A table for Amy Hammer, which will include books to buy and a place to donate to the Library.
• A table for the Friends to display baskets to raffle and more.
• A table for a kids coloring activity. Coloring pages will be saved and displayed on the Library windows.
• A few tables for good quality children’s books, paperbacks, and books for crafters.

Action items:

1. Confirm number of tables – Kelly to ask Fire Department
2. Confirm use of street in front of Library with Fall Festival Committee (Cheri Wright)  KW
3. Design and prep for children’s activity – Kelly with Genevieve. Use next year’s summer reading program theme, Dive Into Reading.
4. Susan will check with McKendree Center for Community Service for help that day with moving tables and books, also ask Mark, Robert and Daniel.
5. Need Board members to sign up for table 10 am – 4 pm and volunteer help with setup and teardown.
6. Prep road signs for Oct 4 event.

(Notes)

1. Kelly will sort books for suitability between now and then. Also dispose of audio and video tapes

The three present then brainstormed some marketing approaches for further consideration, including

1. Having Library events along with Chamber events; next would be Witch’s Night Out. Christmas Carol? Others?
2. Children’s activity on shop local day – “minion” party?
3. McKendree has said we could use the Art Gallery space when it is not being used by University.
4. Need more advertising of summer reading program with school next year.
5. Partnerships under discussion and for the future:
   1. Brickstreet Arts (art programs, children’s programs)
   2. Lebanon Grade School (impacted by imminent move)
   3. McKendree University (student library cards)
   4. CHCS – books for the homebound

Also discussed “how we measure success?”

1. Increased # library cards
2. Total number of persons through doors/visits
3. Circulation
4. Number of programs
5. Program attendees

Susan also expressed interest in launching community conversation about financial support for Library, including Letter to the Editor draft for September meeting and subsequent newspaper articles along with Kelly.

Meeting adjourned at 8:07 pm

Respectfully submitted,

Susan Meister