Quick ways to publicize the library

It has been a while since I have posted, I have been so overloaded doing our PowerSchool migration that I have really had to put my blog on the back burner.  I am hoping that I can start back up.  One of the things I have been doing between data cleaning and importing is library publicity.   In Indiana, we are required to create a Student learning Objective, which for a library media specialist is a challenge. How does one who doesn't teach kids directly handle that?  I decided to focus on increasing library visits by students.   Last year, I averaged 1780 visitors a month.  My goal is to increase that number by ten percent.   Here is how I plan to see that happen.

1.  Maker Space:  We had some money left over in an old account so we bough some duct tape, legos, and origami. We also got new computers so I snagged a few old ones from the pile to recycle and added those items to the space as well.   Though we aren't functioning yet, we are ready to go. Kids are already asking when they can come in and make crafty things.  It is super exciting to see the kids interested.

2.  Postcards:  I started sending email postcards with little tips, facts and ideas to all of the students from time to time.  I wanted them to see what was happening in the library.  I put little tidbits about book orders, new releases, surveys and things we can do for them.   I am not sure how many kids read them, but I do get some replies.

3. SMORE:  I started making a newsletter to share with staff (and sometimes students) on SMORE.  I got inspired by a fellow Hoosier librarian who started doing this.  I add some info about what is hot in the library as well as a tech tool that can be used.  The newsletter comes out once a month and is mailed to all teachers and students.

4. Posters:  I make posters about very important topics and scatter them around the school.  We have a color printer so I print them in color.  Publisher is my platform of choice for that, or even PowerPoint.  Both are simple.  I take the poster and do a screen clipping of it and make it an image and put it on facebook.

5. Social Media:  Last but certainly not least:  I post everything I do on social media.  Twitter, Facebook and sometimes Pinterest.   I even post videos of all new releases on Animoto to YouTube. Then I share them on my school library blog.

If what I am doing doesn't hit a few people, then I am not doing something right.  I have already seen an increase in visits and library usage and I know a lot of it is in part to the numerous things I have implemented to publicize the space.

Using cel.ly in the classroom or other ways

I am new to the idea of allowing kids to use cell phones in school. I agree with it 100% if the purpose is valid and I have an administrator who has also indicated it is a good idea if it is monitored and used effectively in the classroom, but the question remains- how can it be used effectively?

I attended a webinar recently on the website simplek12 and I learned som ideas about using phones in class- one website mentioned was cel.ly. I immediately established an account and created a cell for my school library. I decided what have I got to lose? It may be an additional way to inform student patrons about programs, contests and hot new releases. I also talked to my corporation about establishing a cell to do instant messaging to families in the event of a weather issue, a change in schedule or even to update lunch menus if they are changing. It is a free program and the overall concept is simple.

I am going to use it in my class to do quick starts and exit slips. One thing I liked about cel.ly is the capability of changing the replies. Some of the cell programs I have looked at do not allow the recipient to reply to the sender but with this program, you can set it up for an anonymous response.

There are so many concerns regarding teachers and student connecting via text and social media. Through cel.ly, it can be done 100% anonymously from the teacher standpoint. You can even set it up so students have to input their name but you never see their number. Talk about instant feedback.

I am certain that I can use this program with success in my class. I am going to spend more time dabbling in the technology and will probably find even more ways to use it as I explore.

If you are in a district where technology is open and cell use is permitted, take a look at cel.ly.