Editorial

There’s a fascinating article on what different colours mean in marketing that can be looked at here.  Yellow means optimism, blue means trust (IBM) and grey means balance (Wikipedia).  I don’t entirely agree with all the samples but it got me thinking – is anyone in your library service aware of the role of colour in marketing?  No, didn’t think so.  Let’s set our sights a little lower – do you have anyone trained in marketing? No? I mean, this is key stuff: companies go out of business or make big money because of this – and it appears to pass libraries by.  This is perhaps understandable in times of cut budgets but it was also of course true in better times as well.

Partly this is because of councils controlling marketing, publicity and social media. Partly, though, it is also because librarians confuse marketing with publicity and think that anyone can do it who (God help me) has Microsoft Publisher on their computers.  If your library service has gone past this stage then, congratulations, nominate them for an Award.  If not then have a read of this book and get it sorted.

News

  • Britain’s real big society – Independent. “The vital activities of Britain’s army of the unsung are rarely appreciated. They keep charity shops, youth groups and sports facilities going. They keep libraries open (nearly half of the Isle of Wight’s are run by volunteers, for instance), help in schools … Some may say that all this voluntary work is filling the gaps left by sacked library staff and other public service workers under the Government’s cuts. But nevertheless all these are part of what the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has called, “this silent conspiracy of generous dedication”.
  • City libraries turn up the volume with live performance programs – Australian. “The City of Sydney council launched the Late Night Library program in 2011 as a way of revitalising the city’s night-time entertainment options. Originally based at Surry Hills Library, word spread quickly and the free events, ranging from cult film screenings and discussion panels to erotic fan-fiction readings and performances where local personalities read embarrassing excerpts from their teenage diaries, became regularly booked out. More than 4000 people have attended these late-night events since the launch and the program has expanded.”
  • Future of academic and public libraries – Facet Publishing. “Facet’s new book, Reflecting on the Future of Academic and Public Libraries, offers ideas to academic and public librarians about the future of library services. Editors Peter Hernon and Joseph R Matthews invite a raft of contributors to step back and envision the type of future library that will generate excitement and enthusiasm among users and stakeholders. Anyone interested in the future of libraries will be engaged and stimulated as the contributors:”
  • Michael Moore honors librarians at Notable Books event – UPI (USA).  Calls librarians “”among the most dangerous people in society.” as they fought against the semi-censorship of one of his books.
  • Role of colour in marketing – Social Media Today.  Fascinating look at what colours mean what things – avoid red if your event is not exciting (be honest) and think perhaps green or grey instead.
  • Sieghart- ebooks – and the reputation of public libraries – Good Library Blog. “If publishers really believed that public libraries could find a profitable route to people who will read ebooks -then they would be inclined to work with them.”  If libraries don’t change (emphasise it’s a safe place for readers) then they will end.
  • Tale of two libraries – Stop the privatisation of public libraries.  Looks at two un-named libraries in London. The first is a “homogenised, impersonal” big central library with self-service with only three staff visible (all dealing with customers at counters) with untidy shelves and many books awaiting shelving.  Worries whether this is due to lack of staffing or training.  The second was a large branch library with five staff visible and a friendlier feel.
  • Zombies passing on the reading bug – 3 News (New Zealand). “The Tupu Youth Library came under siege – one group of teenagers forming the undead masses, the other forming “survivors” – who had to research to find a way out. Manager Richard Misilei says he needed an innovative idea to bring kids to the library.”

Local news

  • Brent – The Indie Book Show: Save KR Library Party – Youtube.
  • Cambridgeshire – Neale-Wade Academy unveils new uniform at launch of March Library information point – Wisbech Standard. “Neale Wade Academy has officially launched a one-stop information point so that parents can keep up to date with the latest news by simply popping into the town library.” … “The ParentPoint information boards are the result of a partnership initiative between the college, the Parent’s Forum and March Library.”
  • Croydon – Save Croydon Libraries – Shirley Life (page 59).  Summary of the campaign.  Magazine also includes lists of events at Shirtley Libraries.
  • Nottingham – Bloomsbury supports city-wide reading scheme – BookSeller. “Nottingham will be involved with a city-wide reading scheme to celebrate the 10th anniversary and first stage production of Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner. The book, published by Bloomsbury, has been adapted for the stage by Matthew Spangler and will be performed at the Nottingham Playhouse from today (26th April), its European premiere.” … 500 copies will be given out including at libraries … “Libraries have also been running special displays to promote the idea of the city read, including hanging up kites, with readers able to pin their own reviews to the tail.”
  • Southend – Let’s take action – Stand up for Southend libraries.  List of actions that can be taken to help save six branches.
  • Swindon – Letter from Coun Peter Mallinson – Swindon Advertiser. Councillor says he is “in full agreement with Ray Morse that it would only cost me and everyone else in Swindon 12p to keep Old Town Library open. I would however like to point out that it would cost absolutely nothing to keep it open if the Friends of Old Town Library were to provide volunteers from their ranks to man it for a few hours.”