LMCC24: Full Schedule

Welcome to the 10th Annual Library Marketing and Communications Conference!

10:00am CST

Mascots for Marketing! Re-investing our JCD-Winning Funds for Library Promotions

Wednesday November 13, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST

John Cotton Dana Award-winning Delaware County District Library reinvested their winnings to create a brand new mascot for the public library system. Percival Unicorn - or Percy for short - made his magical debut to the people of Delaware County in the Spring of 2022 and was an instant hit.

In this session, attendees will take away lessons learned for staff buy-in when developing any marketing campaign (but especially one with a friendly blue unicorn!), a unique approach to community engagement with a Pre-K audience, and Percy's next adventure as a spokesperson for kindergarten readiness!

Speakers

Nicole Fowles

Communications Coordinator, Delaware County District Library

Nicole Fowles is the Communications Coordinator at the Delaware County District Library in Ohio. Her department’s “Your Library” project was the recipient of a 2018 John Cotton Dana Award from the American Library Association. Nicole was a keynote speaker at LMCC in 2019 and... Read More →

Sponsors

Unique

Wednesday November 13, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Grand A

Campaigns and Programs

Format Speaking Presentation
Audience Beginner

10:00am CST

Bite-Size Market Research Tools: Micro Surveys and Usability Studies

Wednesday November 13, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST

Grand F

Library marketing activities should always be informed with user data. When conducting market research, you don't need a large sample to see the "big" picture. Developing scalable micro assessments such as mini surveys, usability studies, interviews, and focus groups with only a few questions can add value to your library's marketing and outreach efforts. With quantitative research, you are expected to have a large sample. However, that is not the case when conducting market research. In this presentation, micro assessments will be shown to be more effective, easier to manage, and garners more responses than more lengthier surveys.

Speakers

Mark Aaron Polger

Associate Professor/Coordinator of Library Outreach, College of Staten Island, City University of New York

I am an academic librarian and information literacy instructor who has been working in libraries since 1992. I received my MLIS degree in 2000 from Western University (UWO) and I have worked as a librarian in public, hospital, and academic libraries. Currently, I am the Coordinator... Read More →

Wednesday November 13, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Grand F

Marketing Strategies

Format Speaking Presentation
Audience Beginner

11:15am CST

🚨ACTION NEEDED🚨: Revising Automated Emails for a Better Brand Experience

Wednesday November 13, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST

Grand F

When was the last time you (or your patrons) looked at your library’s automated emails? System-generated messaging may be the most frequently used—yet overlooked—avenue of patron communication.

We collected interview and survey feedback from over 500 patrons and uncovered a range of issues with existing email templates related to library jargon, email length, emotional impact, and more. Drawing on our data and best practices, we created an evidence-based email content guide to facilitate clear and concise communication in a consistent library voice.

Join us to learn how to improve your email content and elevate your library’s brand.

Speakers

Alena Manjuck

Outreach & Engagement Librarian, Nevada State University Library

As the Outreach & Engagement Librarian, Alena is responsible for leading the Nevada State University Library’s marketing and outreach efforts. Alena holds a BA in English and Art from Lafayette College and an MSLS from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a recipient... Read More →

Lauren Johnson

User Experience Librarian, Nevada State UniversitynLibrary

As the User Experience Librarian at Nevada State University, Lauren designs and conducts holistic assessments of library resources and services so the Library can make evidence-based changes to better serve the University's growing community. She holds a BA in English and Theatre... Read More →

Wednesday November 13, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Grand F

Marketing Strategies

Format Workshop
Audience Beginner

11:15am CST

It’s Giving Promotional Items: An Assessment and Analysis of Giveaways on Instagram

Wednesday November 13, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST

Grand A

Giveaways can be an engagement opportunity on social media – rewarding existing followers and attracting new ones. However, the success of these promotional posts can vary. I will review the performance of our library’s giveaways, the lessons learned, and share best practices to replicate our successes and avoid our “failures.” Whether your library has hosted giveaways in the past or is planning to do so in the future, I will share my insights as far as logistics, opportunities, and challenges. Overall, this presentation will be a critical analysis of giveaways and their potential role in the library social media strategy.

Speakers

Samantha Paul

Reference and Marketing Librarian, Valdosta State University

Samantha Paul is the Reference and Marketing Librarian at Valdosta State University (@vsuodumlibrary).She has been working on the library’s Instagram since 2016. In addition to managing the library’s social media,Samantha designs promotional materials, crafts monthly newsletters... Read More →

Wednesday November 13, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Grand A

Social Media

Format Speaking Presentation
Audience Beginner

1:30pm CST

Accessible Marketing Through a Trauma-Informed Lens

Wednesday November 13, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST

Grand F

As library workers we believe that “libraries are for everyone,” but what does that mean for your marketing and communications? In this session, participants will learn the basics of accessible design, and how to create inclusive and trauma-informed messaging. With these tools, participants will feel empowered to effectively promote library programs, materials, and services, and meet diverse community members where they’re at.

Speakers

Gabby Kindig

Communications Team Leader, East Lansing Public Library

Gabby is a multiply disabled communications professional and proud union library worker. She began her career in political communications, working for county, state, and national organizations, before pivoting to fulfill her childhood dream of working in a library. She now serves... Read More →

Wednesday November 13, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST
Grand F

Compassionate Marketing

Format Speaking Presentation
Audience Beginner

1:30pm CST

The Recovering Journalists Department: How to Get Media Coverage from the People Who Used to Decide Who Gets Media Coverage

Wednesday November 13, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST

Grand BC

Struggling to get headlines in your newspaper or a feature for your library on TV news? Get the inside scoop on how to get media coverage for your library from people who know best: former journalists. This panel discussion features 4 award-winning journalists who made the switch to library marketing. They’ll give an inside look at what newsrooms today, the hurdles journalists face, and how to appeal to news decision makers. Learn the do’s and don’ts of story pitching in this interactive discussion that lets the audience turn the tables on former journalists to ask the hard-hitting questions about media.

Speakers

Angela Hursh

Manager of Library Engagement, Marketing, and Professional Development, NoveList

Angela Hursh is the Manager of Library Engagement, Marketing, and Professional Development at Novelist. A 2023 Library Journal Mover & Shaker, she is also the author of SuperLibraryMarketing.com and is the host of the YouTube series The Library Marketing Show. In her prior life, Angela... Read More →

Meghan McCorkell

Chief Marketing, Communications, and Strategy Officer, Enoch Pratt Free Library

Meghan McCorkell is the Chief Marketing, Communications, and Strategy Officer at the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, MD. She leads the 3-time John Cotton Dana award-winning marketing team that was named 2023 Library Journal’s Marketer of the Year. Prior to joining the library... Read More →

Ray Holley

Communications Manager / Public Information Officer, Sonoma County Library

Ray Holley is the Communications Manager / Public Information Officer for the Sonoma County Library. Before he emigrated to LibraryLand, Ray served as reporter, editor, and/or managing editor for five different weekly newspapers in Northern California, where he won awards for commentary... Read More →

Leslie Marinelli

Communications Manager, Forsyth County Public Library

Leslie Marinelli is the Communications Manager for Forsyth County Public Library in Georgia. Prior to her work at the library she was the Editor-in-Chief of an online women’s humor magazine and her work has been featured in The Huffington Post, CNN's Headline News, Parenting Magazine... Read More →

Sponsors

OrangeBoy

Wednesday November 13, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST
Grand BC

Marketing Strategies

Format Panel Discussion
Audience Beginner

1:30pm CST

Social Media Strategy Survivor: Outwit, Outplay, Outlast

Wednesday November 13, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST

Grand A

Would you rather write a strategy document from scratch for your library’s social media presence on various platforms or be dropped onto an island with a couple dozen strangers to brave the elements, compete in grueling challenges, and endure backstabbing and other generally stressful shenanigans? If you picked the latter, this is the session for you! Learn tips for outwitting the doubts (of leadership and yourself) and barriers, outplay the development process with helpful strategies and resources, and create a social media strategy for your library that can outlast institutional changes and even your own tenure. Survivors (aka library marketers) ready…go!

Speakers

Tanner Lewey

Social Media Editor & Strategist, University of Illinois Chicago

Tanner Lewey, the Social Media Editor & Strategist at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), oversees the university’s flagship and chancellor social media accounts and outreach to social managers across campus. Previously, she was an academic outreach librarian in Maryland (McDaniel... Read More →

Wednesday November 13, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST
Grand A

Social Media

Format Speaking Presentation
Audience Beginner

3:00pm CST

Poster: The One-Person Marketing Team

Wednesday November 13, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST

Prefunction

Learn how to make a big impact through marketing with a team as small as just one person! Ashley, from Milton Public Library, will share how she manages social media, in-house marketing, and how she is growing the influence of the library online, all while still finding time to help with programming and customer service! Maximize your marketing time with some tips and tricks to help you connect with your patrons today.

Speakers

Ashley Colstad

Public Information Coordinator, Milton Public Library

Ashley Colstad is the Public Information Coordinator for Milton Public Library, Wisconsin. She has held nearly every role within libraries in her over 10 years of library working experience. Today she operates as a one-person marketing team expanding and growing their reach within... Read More →

Wednesday November 13, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST
Prefunction

Marketing Strategies

Format Poster
Audience Beginner

3:00pm CST

LMCC24 Poster Session

Wednesday November 13, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST

Prefunction

Chat with this year's poster presenters at this dedicated session!

Wednesday November 13, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST
Prefunction

Networking

Audience Beginner

3:00pm CST

Poster: Healey Headlines: Making a Library Newsletter Happen on a Shoestring

Wednesday November 13, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST

Prefunction

Instead of sending lengthy “welcome to the new semester” emails (that nobody reads), our University Library launched a weekly, single-topic newsletter with catchy headlines. Our model was sustainable and democratic: We enlisted colleagues to contribute ideas, write content, and offer visual materials from our archives. And it was successful. This poster shares lessons learned in launching a weekly newsletter - what worked: a collaborative model, timely topics connected to events and faculty needs throughout the academic year; and what we learned to do differently: create clearer guidelines for contributors, develop a publication schedule with deadlines, focus topics on library-specific resources.

Speakers

Mary Moser

Engagement and Advancement Librarian, Healey Library at UMass

Mary Moser is the Engagement and Advancement Librarian in Healey Library at UMass Boston, where she has worked since 2013. She has an MLS from Indiana University Bloomington and an MA in Educational Technology Leadership from the George Washington University. Prior to moving into... Read More →

Samantha Regan

Assistant Dean, Healey Library at UMass

Samantha Regan is the Assistant Dean in Healey Library at UMass Boston. Samantha has worked in Healey Library since 2021, and at UMass Boston since 2014. She has an MA in English from UMass Boston. As the Assistant Dean for Healey Library, Sam is responsible for all personnel and... Read More →

Wednesday November 13, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST
Prefunction

Sharing Your Story

Format Poster
Audience Beginner

3:00pm CST

Main Character Energy: How to Adopt Influencer Content to Drive Your Social Media Engagement

Wednesday November 13, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST

Grand BC

The rise of social media influencers has shifted the way in which organizations market themselves. In this 50 minute session, Vianey Becerra, Social Media Manager for the Enoch Pratt Free Library, will discuss how you can create content and apply creative inspiration used by today's influencers to your social media to increase engagement among customers. This training includes an overview of current social media trends, content and idea stimulation, and promotion of influencer building blocks to help you create an engaging social media strategy for your library.

Speakers

Vianey Becerra

Content Strategist, Enoch Pratt Free Library

Vianey Becerra manages and curates social media content for the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, MD. In 2023, the Pratt Library's Marketing and Communications Department received the Library Marketer of the Year Award by Library Journal. Becerra has worked in non-profit marketing... Read More →

Wednesday November 13, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST
Grand BC

Social Media

Format Speaking Presentation
Audience Beginner

3:00pm CST

Poster: So Many Posts, So Little Time! How to Recruit Support to Create Consistent and Varied Social Media Content

Wednesday November 13, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST

Prefunction

Posting on your libraries’ social media accounts can get repetitive and can be creatively exhausting as you search for interesting content to share. Whether you work solo or on a team, it can be a challenge to constantly think of new posts on top of other responsibilities you may have. Learn how to create a system where you can connect with colleagues to build a pipeline for unique content to post to free up some creative headspace. This presentation will include tips for collaboration, tools for easy content creation, and strategies for organizing and maintaining a posting schedule.

Speakers

Bryan Field

Communications Officer, Binghamton University Libraries

Bryan Field (he/him) is the Communications Officer for Binghamton University Libraries. Bryan has a background in student affairs having worked in admissions, alumni relations, Greek life, and residence life. In the library world, Bryan uses his knowledge of organizational leadership... Read More →

Wednesday November 13, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST
Prefunction

Social Media

Format Poster
Audience Beginner

10:00am CST

IDEA in Action: Your Voices Best Practices - Empowering Students, Building Bridges

Thursday November 14, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST

Grand A

Your Voices was a project at the San José State University College of Professional and Global Education that supported inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) in graduate library and information science and applied data science programs. The project culminated in a final report and best practices guide highlighting the project’s successes for further expansion of student engagement and empowerment in its second iteration, Students: Amplifying Your Voices (SAYV).

This session will detail Your Voices and its results, highlight the best practices guide for organizations interested in replicating Your Voices, and share plans for SAYV.

Speakers

Kara Price

Graduate Student Assistant, San José State University

Kara Price (they/she/y’all, Mvskoke) is an information professional who lives and works in the traditional homelands of the Wichita, Kiowa, Osage, and Sioux. Kara is finishing their MLIS at San Jose State University with an emphasis on digital asset management and traditional knowledge... Read More →

Laura Dowell

Graduate Research Assistant, San José State University

Laura Dowell is in the process of obtaining her MLIS from San Jose State University with an emphasis in Open Education/Access and Resources through the lens of DEI, and is serving as the Special Libraries Student Chapter President at San Jose State University. Presently, she works... Read More →

Michele Villagran

Professor, San José State University

Dr. Michele A. L. Villagran is an accomplished educator, innovative speaker, entrepreneur, consultant, cultural intelligence and diversity & inclusion expert with over 24+ years of experience in the public and private sectors. Dr. Villagran’s research focuses on diversity and social... Read More →

Thursday November 14, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Grand A

Compassionate Marketing

Format Speaking Presentation
Audience Beginner

10:00am CST

Email Essentials: Increasing Patron Engagement through Marketing

Thursday November 14, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST

Grand F

In the past, Rochester Hills Public Library’s email campaigns mainly consisted of one big news piece followed by a wall of event promotions. Recognizing that the majority of our patron base rely on email communication for library news, we decided that it was time for a refresh. Over the course of a year, our small but mighty team has transformed our email marketing by implementing audience segmentation, refreshing our templates with eye-catching designs, and employing cross-platform messaging utilizing Vega Promote.

In this presentation, we'll guide you through our journey of creating a monthly newsletter from drafting to delivery. We'll share valuable insights into effective communication and design practices, ensuring that your email messaging serves both your library's objectives and the unique interests of your patrons.

Speakers

Michele Dimond

Marketing Coordinator, Rochester Hills Public Library

Michele Dimond is the marketing coordinator for Rochester Hills Public Library in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Michele has a background in graphic design and marketing, working in the realms of non-profit and education before making her way into library services two years ago. As a... Read More →

Taylor Fisher

Senior Product Manager, Clarivate

Taylor Fisher is a Senior Product Manager at Clarivate. Taylor is one of many product team leadersresponsible for delivering library specific solutions that provide intuitive and exciting library experiences topatrons, staff and donors. Her primary focus is on Vega Promote and Vega... Read More →

Thursday November 14, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Grand F

Marketing Strategies

Format Speaking Presentation
Audience Beginner

10:00am CST

No Degree Required: Tips for Powerful Promotions for the Non-Designer

Thursday November 14, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST

Grand BC

Challenged by creating attractive promotional materials that represent your brand's style while also adhering to accessibility standards? You don't need a design degree to learn time-saving techniques and gain confidence in your design abilities. In this engaging and interactive presentation, you'll discover the power of well-designed promotional materials. You'll also receive practical tips and actionable insights to improve your promotional efforts and connect with everyone in your community.

Speakers

Caleigh Haworth

Engagement Consultant, NoveList

Caleigh Haworth works with libraries in the U.S., Canada, and beyond in her role as an Engagement Consultant for NoveList. With nearly 20 years of experience in public libraries, including the Okotoks Public Library and Marigold Library System in Alberta, Caleigh helps libraries use... Read More →

Jennifer Rothschild

Collection Engagement Librarian, Arlington Public Library

Jennifer Rothschild is the Collection Engagement Librarian for Arlington Public Library in Arlington, VA, where she coordinates reader's advisory services and collection promotion, and is in charge of print acquisitions for early and emergent readers. She's served on several award... Read More →

Thursday November 14, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Grand BC

Video and Design

Format Panel Discussion
Audience Beginner

11:15am CST

Roundtable Session

Thursday November 14, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST

Mills Studio 6

Join a roundtable discussion with like-minded library marketers and communicators. There will be three rounds of 20-minute conversations per table, so you can select up to three topics of interest:

Branding and Identity: Understanding the importance of a consistent brand message, logo, color scheme, and voice in shaping public perception.
Content Marketing: Creating valuable, relevant content (blogs, videos, infographics, etc.) to attract and retain customers, driving engagement and loyalty.
Social Media Strategy: How to leverage social platforms (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) to build community, create awareness, and drive conversions.
Email Marketing: Best practices for crafting effective email campaigns, including segmentation, personalization, and performance tracking.
Crisis Communication: Developing a communication plan to manage public relations crises, ensuring timely, transparent, and effective messaging during emergencies.
AI: How to use AI to drive marketing and communication efficiency while evaluating the risks and associated advantages.

Speakers

Amanda Donovan

Director of Marketing and Communication, Spokane Public Library

Amanda Donovan is the Director of Marketing and Communication at Spokane Public Library. A John Cotton Dana Award and PRXchange Award winner, Amanda has more than 19 years of marketing and communication experience including 7 years in library marketing. When not handling Library communications... Read More →

Deborah Hakes

Georgia Public Library Service

Deborah Hakes leads marketing and communications for Georgia Public Library Service, which was named Library Journal's 2020 Marketer of the Year. Hakes has a passion for amplifying the voices of those who do good and telling stories that drive people to take action. She has spent... Read More →

Thursday November 14, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Mills Studio 6

Networking

Format Workshop
Audience Beginner

11:15am CST

Building a Video Powerhouse: Project Management, Quality Standards, and Staff Development for Effective Library Marketing

Thursday November 14, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST

Grand GH

Engaging video is the standard for modern marketing, but the process of capturing, editing, and producing high quality video content can be overwhelming for libraries without dedicated marketing staff. In this presentation, Plano Public Library will share how their eProduction team contributes to the efficient development of video content for instructional videos and social media drawing from all positions and skill levels. We will discuss our project management strategies, brand and quality standards, and how members of the eProduction team are trained and supported.

Speakers

Rachel Yzaguirre

Community Outreach Librarian, Plano Public Library

Contact me: rachelyz@plano.govRachel Yzaguirre is a Community Outreach Librarian who manages Plano Public Library's social media presence and newsletter, plans programs and outreach, and more. She has created video content for Plano Public Library since 2013. Rachel is a member of... Read More →

Thursday November 14, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Grand GH

Video and Design

Format Speaking Presentation
Audience Beginner

3:00pm CST

Inside Out vs. Outside In: Strategies for Library Rebranding

Thursday November 14, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST

Grand BC

Explore the dynamic world of library branding in our panel presentation. Join us as we compare the in-house rebranding journey of one library with the external design approach of another. Discover the pros and cons of each method, empowering libraries to make informed decisions for their branding strategies. Through real-life case studies, we'll delve into the creative processes, challenges, and successes, showcasing how libraries can leverage internal talent or collaborate with external experts to achieve impactful brand transformations. Gain valuable insights into navigating the diverse paths of library rebranding in this engaging and informative session.

Speakers

Kelly Horvath

Head of Marketing & Communications, Lincolnwood Public Library

Kelly Horvath brings over two decades of design experience as a former high school art teacher and owner of a boutique design studio to her role as Head of Marketing & Communications at Lincolnwood Library. With a decade spent working in libraries, Kelly oversees all creative and... Read More →

Erin Del Signore

Associate Director, Community Engagement, Charles County Public Library

Erin Del Signore has been with the Charles County Public Library for six years, first serving in the role of Marketing Manager. Erin currently leads the Community Engagement Department, which includes programming, marketing, outreach, as well as the library's fleet of vehicles. During... Read More →

Thursday November 14, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST
Grand BC

Branding

Format Panel Discussion
Audience Beginner

3:00pm CST

Newsletter Networks Past & Present: Information & Resource Sharing in a Consortial Context

Thursday November 14, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST

Grand F

In a consortial environment and a short-form content world, how can we ensure that long-form communications meet the mark for librarian engagement, relevance, and reach?

The Scholars Portal Newsletter is a triannual publication dedicated to resource sharing and collaboration in library services across the 21 member institutions of the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL).

Working closely with Cait McKinney’s writing on feminist lesbian newsletter networks of the 1970s-1990s in Information Activism, this presentation will discuss how priorities of research newsletter networks from the past can inform successful long-form, community-based communication strategies in library resource sharing today.

Speakers

Gabrielle Crowley

Client Services Librarian, Scholars Portal, Ontario Council of University Libraries

Gabrielle Crowley is the Client Services Librarian at Scholars Portal - the service arm of the Ontario Council of University Libraries. She is responsible for consortial information sharing about Scholars Portal services through library communications, documentation, research support... Read More →

Thursday November 14, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST
Grand F

Sharing Your Story

Format Speaking Presentation
Audience Beginner