Central Jersey Regional Library Cooperative

Phone: (732) 409-6484
Fax: (732) 409-6492
connie@cjrlc.org

Get a committee together of four or five enthusiastic (or at least willing!) staff members.

Choose: location, date, time (We have been holding ours at 7 PM).

Plan on a one hour program to include:

• Welcome and overview [5 minutes]

• PowerPoint Presentation [15 minutes] - Included in packet or can be emailed to you.

• Individual presentations [30 minutes] - 5 people from various types of libraries explaining why they love what they do, and/or why they chose their profession. Include, if possible, one administrator, Library Network person, or other NAME person; one representative from a library program, and three young(er) people from different types of libraries (a local school librarian? special or academic librarian?) - but enthusiasm is better than age. Crucial is the time restraint - no one can do a 20 minute sermon! Be firm on this!

• Wrap Up: "Where Do They Go from Here?" [10 minutes] - Distribute "Request for More Info" sheets. Distribute brochures, if not done at sign in.

Refreshments and the chance to talk to librarians one-on-one.

Have all librarians attending wear a blue name tag and all guests wear a red one, etc., so librarians can be identified for questions.

Publicity: Our theory is that the best people will be current library users. So use your web page, your monthly calendar, your newsletter. A sample press release is enclosed for newspapers. A sample letter to local schools is also enclosed. So are the sample bookmarks - "Who Me? A Librarian?" - which our first two Open Houses have used by putting them in a brochure box by circulation desks and patron computer stations.

Job Shadowing: Decide if you want to offer this as part of your program. If so, follow-up with interested persons (see details in packet).

Send thank you notes to participating librarians.

First, develop initial publicity. Match wording on all signs, handouts and press releases.

Invite speakers from a variety of settings. Keep in mind that all of them may accept.

Book meeting space. I recommend booking space for at least half a day before the event; I didn't do that, and can't have the rooms now until after 3 pm!

Send press releases to local papers. Advertise at local colleges and universities. Leave enough time to get the approval needed for hanging signs which may require two visits. Inform your parent agency of event and invite them to attend.

Begin developing handouts and making multiples. Make at least double of the expected number of attendees. Store all originals on file.

Work on outline of presentation. Practice slide shows, etc.

One week before:

• Confirm all speakers

• Order refreshments

• Check for registrations

• Buy door prizes

• Make nametags for speakers

• Assemble handout packets for attendees. Make sure to have enough for speakers and other drop-ins, plus extra for people who can't attend but want the information

Day before:

• Confirm time you need staff to arrive to help
• Pick up refreshments
• Have everything ready to go

Get a good night's rest!

4400 Route 9 South, Suite 3400,  Freehold, NJ  07728-1383
CJRLC is funded by the State of New Jersey as part of the New Jersey Library Network!