Laura Conaway

LLT 340—Marketing and Advocacy Plan

The PA Forward campaign is seeking to increase the literacy within Pennsylvania. Their
mission statement includes providing library access to all PA residents, using an integrated
library system to lower costs and improve access to materials, providing databases, and
increasing the awareness of libraries importance. They are also advocating for basic literacy,
information literacy, civil and social literacy, health literacy, and financial literacy skills.
ALA’s Libraries Transform campaign is to raise awareness of the importance of libraries
in the public sphere and how they are crucial in a digital era. Their objectives in this advocacy
plan are to raise awareness and support for libraries, change the perspective people have about
libraries and show its necessity, and engage with professionals and decision makers. Focusing on
the general public and the library audience, this organization is actively involved on social
media, emphasizing ALA events such as library card sign-up month, and interacting with patrons
and ALA members through their website. They also share real stories, articles, and TED Talks
about libraries across the nation.
PA Forward shares information about what people can do to advocate for and become
involved with libraries. These actions are explained through joining the coalition, donating
financially, telling your story about how libraries have helped you, and speaking with state
representatives. They also offer resources on the different aspects of literacy and how their roles
are vital in the library and educating individuals. A newsroom tab is also available for people to
look up articles about libraries, their programs, and impact in communities.
Libraries Transform offers a plethora of news articles, TED Talks, and real life stories
about libraries, their importance in the community, and how they are constantly shifting to meet
the needs of patrons. This campaign also has a slogan called “because” and why libraries are
transforming. Some of the examples provided are because collaboration empowers teachers and
because audiobooks turn commutes into adventures. Under each of these because headings, there
is a link to an article and a section where individuals can send in their own because statement.
Both organizations are providing engaging tools that get individuals thinking about
libraries and interacting with what they offer, and I feel they are successful in sharing their
message through the tools given and the resources provided that are real-life experiences.
At the Parkland High School Library, the most important aspects are the MakerSpace,
digital technology services, Caring Closet, and reference/non-fiction collection. Students have
the opportunity to create a plethora of projects in the MakerSpace through experimentation and
engaging their imagination. These activities are seen through 3-D printing, bullet journaling,
coding and robot making kits, and more. The technology services aid with Chromebook errors
and the computers not functioning properly so students can complete their work for classes. The
Caring Closet supplies students from low-income families a few snacks throughout the day
and/or a box of food to take home. Finally, the non-fiction/reference section provides materials
for students to use in their research papers and other class projects.
Parkland School District’s mission is to “ensure that each student is empowered with
success strategies for lifelong learning by creating a secure, effective learning environment in
collaboration with dedicated staff, involved parents, and a supportive community.” The library
has a focus on the school district’s mission by encouraging lifelong learning through the
resources it provides in the collection, the collaboration with teachers through projects and
assignments, and supporting the community in various needs such as the Caring Closet.
The library is currently raising awareness for these resources by creating bulletin boards
for these activities and others inside the library and outside in the hallway area when students
walk by for their classes. The bulletin boards are engaging, provide the necessary information,
Laura Conaway
LLT 340—Marketing and Advocacy Plan
and are done in a manner that catches the eye as someone walks by. They also put
announcements on the Parkland TV for students.
The librarian is advocating for the library by engaging the technology personnel,
principal, and other staff. She applies for grants for different programs, receives new material
that she promotes, and is consistently coming up with ideas to draw students into the library. One
example of this action is the creation of a Padcast. Students can utilize the iPad and make videos
for their class assignments as a way of producing a creative and different way of submission.

Campaign for the Parkland High School Library:

Parkland library promotes knowledge, creativity, and innovation through literature, technology,
and hands-on activities.

Marketing tool: Scratch offs

Parkland H.S. Library Scratch-Off

Check out a book from our fiction or graphic novel section!

Once activity is completed, choose between $3 fine or less waived or get 10 minutes on our VR system

Each scratch off will have a different activity to complete in the library to promote a different
section. The back of it will tell what can be accessed/highlights in the library.

Check out what the library offers!

 MakerSpace with a 3D printer, bullet journaling, robot kits, and more

 Padcast to create videos for your class assignments
 Non-fiction section, databases, and references resources for research papers
 Tech help for Chromebooks and a charging station
 Afterschool activities such as origami books and Marie Kondo folding
 New fiction books added frequently
Laura Conaway
LLT 340—Marketing and Advocacy Plan
I would choose Instagram as the social media platform to get information out. This site
displays images and captions. Students are actively engaged on this site, and it is a quick and
easy way to share information that students will see. The platform would be used to show the
importance of the library, why libraries, are needed, and what this library is doing to display its
engagement in the mission statement. The librarian or other staff members would post on it and
share resources the library offers, different activities students are engaged in, and events the
library is hosting. An Instagram post would be made once or twice a week to share the activities
and resources available and not to overload students with too much information. I would
measure the impact by number of followers on the account, students coming into the library
daily, and occasional surveys for feedback.

Links for sources:

https://www.parklandsd.org/about-us
http://livelovemath.blogspot.com/2013/10/monday-made-it-scratch-off-tickets.html (via
pinterest)