Social Library, Volume 146
Jennifer Peterson
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10 December 2019
Momentum continues for our Social Library series, with this edition highlighting fresh and innovative programming and promotion ideas from libraries we follow on Facebook. From ugly sweaters to Black Friday specials, and from a trivia night fundraiser to a crowdsourced community poem, we hope you’re as inspired as we are! If you'd like to see your library featured in an upcoming edition of the Social Library, let us know via [email protected] or find us on Facebook.
- Sturgis Public Library in South Dakota hosted a successful Craft an Ugly Sweater event, with an invitation to "Drop in anytime from 4-6pm to decorate your sweater. We will equip you with many different materials to craft your own ugly sweater for the holiday season. Be prepared to be bedazzled!" Check out the wonderful album of Ugly Sweater Decorating Party photos!
- Ladd Public Library District in Illinois packed the house for their Trivia Night, a fundraiser event, full of trivia food, drinks, prizes, fun, and laughs! Tables could be reserved for $100 per table, 10 person max. "We are also accepting donations for our raffles: themed baskets, basket items, cash, gift certificates, etc. Thank you for all of your support in updating and keeping our library going! Your support in this event helps us keep our doors open to serve our community in many ways." The local paper took some wonderful photos of the successful event!
- Piqua Public Library in Ohio shared the results of their wonderful PPL Community Poem: Giving Thanks. Inspired by last year's 'Thank You, America': A Crowdsourced Holiday Poem That's A Blessing To Read, collected by NPR, the library invited people to contribute to the crowdsourced poem. This fantastic passive programming idea was posted as a invitation/event page asking, "What does gratitude mean to you? Write a sentence, 10 words or less, about what gratitude and Thanksgiving mean to you. We will turn your submissions into a community poem about giving thanks. Turn in your submission by Friday, November 22nd to be included in the Community Poem. Not all submissions may be included in the poem. Use this Google Form to turn in your submission, or pick up a paper form at the Piqua Public Library in person." Courtney Denning, the library's marketing and programming coordinator shared the process and the final poem in a wonderful video.
- Phoenix Public Library in Arizona posted a wonderful group photo with a simple post to explain why the library was closed for a day last week. "Hello from Phoenix Public Library’s Staff Development Day! ❤️ All Phoenix Public Library locations (except South Mountain Community Library) are CLOSED TODAY, Friday, December 6 for Staff Development Day. Libraries will be open tomorrow, Saturday, December 7 during normal hours. This important day brings staff together from across our system for an annual professional development training day in order to prepare us to provide the best possible library services to YOU!"
- NYPL The New York Public Library shared a video highlighting their clever Black Friday Promotion, announcing "100% OFF EVERYTHING!" The Daily News covered the promotion "The sprawling city book lender, for the second-consecutive year, is poking fun at Black Friday consumer mania by pointing out that its services are can be enjoyed every day of the year for nary a penny." The promotion was sent to library’s 1.1 million subscribers on Black Friday, featuring helpful gift suggestions by category including book suggestions for commuters, for drama lovers, for those who want to escape from New York, for foodies, to treat yourself, for the person who has everything, doorbusters, bingewatchers, for hopeless romantics and additional lists of best books of 2019 for adults, teens and kids. The promotion also highlights the library's offerings for attending a free class, downloading their free e-reader, learning a new skill online, and more!