The Library A to Z:an advocacy project

Gary GreenVoices for the Library &

Digital Services Lead, Surrey Libraries.

CILIP in Scotland 2016

What is the Library A to Z?

•Visual A to Z of library services•Advocacy & promotional material•Highlights continued value of libraries

Address comments such as…

•What’s the point of libraries, when:• you can just Google stuff?• books are so cheap to buy from Amazon?•we could give everyone in the country an e-reader instead?

Evolution of the A to Z

• Library Camp East [Sept 2013]• Library Camp, Birmingham [Nov 2013]•Kickstarter [April/May 2014] - raised £4,500• Launch [Nov 2014]

The Kickstarter

• An online fundraising drive• Stated our aims & goals• Asked for pledges via many networks•Gave people rewards for funding it•Kept people informed of progress

What did the Kickstarter fund?

• Full colour alphabet of illustrations• Production of book & other materials• All materials free for anyone to use•Distributed packs to 100+ key influencers & 30 media & press organisations

Organising the project

• Setup Kickstarter• Find illustrator• Decide on physical materials to produce & how• Promotion of Kickstarter• Produce written content for book and cards• Decision makers, media, supporters to target?• Setup website (place to download materials)

E is for Example

Ebook readers; ebooks; education; email (access to); employability; enquiry service; entertainment; equality; escape; events; everyone (is welcome); exciting; exhibitions; expression. A year or two ago I was visiting one of our housebound readers; an 84 year old, she told me how the library service had saved her life. My colleagues had given her access to a laptop and taught her to use the internet and email. When her daughter died, she had the means to keep in touch with all her family wherever they lived and that was critical in helping her cope with the loss.

Launching the A to Z

•Big social media & mailing list push•Sent 100+ packs to key library influencers•Sent 30+ packs to media & press•Benefits of physical & online launch•Speak Up For Libraries conference

Materials available

• Illustrations by Josh Filhol•Book (print & e-book)•Greetings cards• Editable posters•Original A to Z list• All freely available at http://libraryatoz.org/

Who else played a part?

•Original contributors to A to Z list•Kickstarter backers• Supporters of fund-raising drive• A to Z book & material content• Supporters of launch• Those who continue to use A to Z materials

Since the launch

• Initial aim met - fund materials & use• Materials for anyone to build on & develop• Re-use under a C.C. license – can adapt• Use so far includes:• Social media promotions• Promos in libraries• Advocated to politicians & stakeholders• A Blue Peter badge!• April A to Z challenge

Other advocates

•Organisations with library focus•Organisations with wider focus• Library supporters & campaigners• Library A to Z - part of a bigger picture

2016+

• Free materials still available•Updated some materials•More funding to distribute materials• Illustrations used in new ways

The Library A to Z:an advocacy project

Thank you

Website: http://libraryatoz.org/

CILIP in Scotland 2016