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Flyers and Bookmarks |
We all have stacks of flyers and bookmarks lying around. These can be put out in different areas of the library. Leave flyers out at the Circulation Desks, Reference Desks, Children’s Desks and put some out in the reading rooms. Consider having one of those plastic pockets installed on the end of the Large Print shelving and use it for Outreach flyers and bookmarks. This can pick up some of the patrons that are picking up books for their parents and didn’t know that we could do this for them.
I have a specific brochure that I pass out to the activity directors at each of the nursing homes I visit. (See link below). We all know how fast these places go through activity directors, so this was my way of making sure that they had some basic information and a way to contact me with questions. Every time they get new person I drop this brochure off in person. These people usually have a lot to remember when they are starting this job, and many times they forget about what we can do to help them. If they don’t know what we do then you can guarantee the residents and the families are not going to know it either. The activity directors are one of the best ways of marketing. They know what their residents want and can relay that to us. I have found that the best way to get in good with the activity director’s is by sharing program ideas, they are busy and anytime they don’t have to think of what they will do for this week's program they are grateful. I show them Bi-Folkal Kits and craft books. I also share my sources for the programs I present at their location.
The activity director’s can be your best friend, so show them that they are special and they will be more than happy to put you together with the patrons that need you.
Another great way to be “in” with the activity directors is to go to their meetings. In our town we have what we call the “Activity Director’s Roundtable” they meet twice a year and I go to their meetings. I attend their meetings and remind them of our home bound and talking book services. I also take a BiFolkal Kit and handouts of program ideas, complete with resources that they can obtain from the library for their programs. If you don’t have this type of thing in your community, consider starting one. Just call the activity directors and tell them you have ideas for programming, they’ll jump at the chance to hear programming ideas.