Skip to main content

See All the Fun You'll Have Working at the Library!

For many years libraries have used videos to promote programs, resources, services, community connections, local history, and many other activities.  There is often an underlying implied theme:  the library is a fun place to be!  Patrons and staff have known this to be true forever.  Consider, too, that the library is a fun workplace, and videos can share this side of a library's character.

I work in a small township public library (Mooresville [Indiana] Public Library) where fun is not merely a daily expectation, it is a requirement.  MPL's YouTube channel has a fleet of videos showcasing the smiles staff wear while working.  Let's see some.


Beyond Books Infomercial
by Mooresville Public Library


Go Ask Reference
by Rachel Montgomery & Meghan Adams


Librarians Do Taio Cruz
by Suzanne Walker


We Love Mooresville Public Library
by MPL Staff of 2019



Libraries & Old Dewey
by Suzanne Walker and MPL Staff & Volunteers


It's even possible to see the humorous side of serious subjects, such as this re-opening video MPL created during the COVID-19 lockdown.


MPL Reopening Promo Trailer
by Mooresville Public Library


Your library can attract job candidates through such videos as these (or one specifically targeted toward hiring, such as this one):


Apply for a Job at MPL Promo Trailer
by Mooresville Public Library


Who wouldn't want to share in the fun?  Over the years MPL has had several job applicants who have specifically stated that the reason they applied for a particular position, apart from the obvious desire to perform certain duties, was seeing one (or more) of these videos above and thinking, "That'd be a really great place to work."  Several employees have characterized MPL to prospective colleagues as "the best place you'll ever work."

Videos are wonderful promotional tools for libraries.  Why not use them to promote an essential aspect of library service--hiring new staff?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Using QR Codes to Promote Book Trailers on Book Displays

The ubiquitous book display is a  mainstay of traditional collection promotion in public libraries .  How many of these have you made over the years?  Frankly, I've lost count. Book displays increase item circulation because they attract patrons' attention and provide them with immediate gratification without their having to search for what has caught their interest.  The books are  right there ; just grab them and head for circulation to check them out.  Nothing could be easier. But what if the books are carefully wrapped-up (say, for a banned book display, which we did a couple of times), and patrons can't read the back cover descriptions?  For ordinary book displays, is there something more visually engaging that could appeal to patrons than just having to read the book jackets?  That's where book trailers could help "sell" the book. Wouldn't it be nice if patrons could watch the book trailers while they're look...
Post a Comment
Read more

Library Blogs Can Still Be Relevant

I recently watched a webcast of a librarian round table talking about social media, and there was a brief discussion about library blogs.  The panel consensus was that blogs had run their course as a library communication vehicle.  "There're too many out there," said one librarian, "droning on and on.  (He's obviously read my blogs.)  Modern readers want compact content."--meaning, presumably, Twitter and Facebook blurbs. So, are library blogs dinosaurs?  Can they still garner followers while imparting important messages relevant to their readers? Yes, if the blogger is talking about something lots of somebodies want to read.  (That's rather axiomatic.)  Clearly, I'm no expert about blogging and holding an audience's interest, but, in my experience, I've discovered two types of blogs that have maintained consistently large readership: Local history blogs; and Library animal "spokescritter" blogs. Previously , we've...
Post a Comment
Read more

Using Video to Promote ALA Banned Books Week

When promoting ALA Banned Books   Week  (BBW), most librarians have probably turned to the ol' reliable book display, like so: Click images to enlarge Book displays are great.  They centralize selected items, focus patrons' attention on a particular topic or theme, and they're relatively easy and inexpensive to produce.  But they're just so, well, static.  Stuff just sits there until patrons come along. Another popular static medium we use to promote BBW is the customized book mark.   These take a bit more work but are fine as promotional tools, as far as they go. How about something more, say, techno-savvy? 2018 Banned Books Week Promo Trailer by Mooresville (Indiana) Public Library 2016 Banned Books Week Promo Trailer by Mooresville (Indiana) Public Library Since 2010 my library has used videos to promote BBW.  There are the promo trailer variety (above) that help stimulate interest, and thes...
Post a Comment
Read more