A Thousand Words:
Taking Better Photos for Telling
Stories in Your Library
Helene Blowers
Digital Strategy Director
Columbus Metropolitan Library
ALA July 09

http://www.flickr.com/photos/smanography/3073414449/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/arbron/56216464/

http://www.db798.com/pictobrowser/index.html

http://www.slideoo.com/

Example: http://www.librarybytes.com/2009/05/my-495-hr-tour-of-netherlands.html

http://gickr.com

http://gickr.com

http://animoto.com/play/DdYKOhgphn50GyhY3Zi64Q

http://animoto.com/cause

www.bighugelabs.com

http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/publishing/graphics/READ_Mini_Posters.cfm J.Watson

http://bighugelabs.com/

http://www.fotoviewr.com

http://www.fotoviewr.com

http://splashr.com

http://splashr.com

http://www.picsviewr.com

1 of 3

2 of 3

3 of 3

The Library Brand …

The Library Brand …
CC Cindi Trainor http://www.flickr.com/photos/trucolorsfly/352573802/

The Library Brand …
CC http://www.flickr.com/photos/beija-flor/237319319

Old Paradigm:
Control
the
LOOK &
FEEL
of the
Brand

From mass marketing to niche marketing
1957 – 45% audience 2007 - 4% of audience

Consumer to Multisumer

New Paradigm:
Influence
the
CHARACTER
& PORTABILITY
of the
Brand

www.showusthecow.com

http://mail.google.com/mail/help/gmail_video.html

- Patricia Martin

What strategic
elements
do you need to
focus on in order
to support
today’s
Virtual Users?

To enable our customers to
connect with library staff, its
VIRTUAL services and with
each other in
USERS meaningful ways.
Our customers feel
CONNECTED

To provide our customers with a
rich online experience
VIRTUAL that enhances their
local branch experience &
USERS daily lives.
Our customers feel
They’re
getting VALUE

To enable our customers to
personalize their library
experience allow our
VIRTUAL
community to celebrate
USERS themselves.
Our customers feel
GOOD
about
THEMSELVES

VIRTUAL
USERS

http://www.flickr.com/photos/toddography/12034661/

Brands are built on what
PEOPLE are saying about
you, NOT what you’re
saying about yourself.
- Guy Kawasaki
CC http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephenr/1683318514/

http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/acplinfo/tags/dayinallencounty2007/

http://www.hclib.org/pub/bookspace/hpphotos.cfm

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hennepincountylibrary/888211903/

http://teens.columbuslibrary.org

http://www.plcmc.org/fotofun/

Jessica, University City Library member since 2001

http://www.calcasieu.lib.la.us/Teentechfavs.htm

http://www.flickr.com/photos/spierzchala/377916549/

I grant permission to the Hennepin County I hereby authorize the Columbus Metropolitan
Library the right to use depictions and Library to use, re-use, and/or disclose, without
reproductions of my photograph or portion compensation to me, this image for appropriate
thereof, including electronic formats, for non- Library purposes, including publicity, marketing,
commercial purposes. advertising, fund-raising, and/or promotion of the
Library and its various programs.
This photograph is my creation, and I have the
right to grant this permission and the consent of I understand that the Library may use this in
the individual(s) featured. various media, including but not limited to
mailings, brochures, television, video, film, e-
I also understand that I will not receive mails, the Library's website, and any other print,
compensation in any form for the use of my broadcast, or electronic media. I further
likeness in the photograph. understand that such use may cause my image
to appear in newspaper articles or television or
I do hereby certify that I am over 13 years old. radio, or Internet news stories. I waive any right
to inspect or approve any material in which the
Further, I release Hennepin County from all Library may eventually use this image.
claims of any kind arising from such production,
use, distribution or broadcasting of the I hereby release the Library from any and all
photograph. liability related to or resulting from the use and
dissemination of this image.
I give this consent voluntarily.
I understand that my agreement to this
authorization and release is voluntary.

Un-marketing
Exercise:

It is important to remember that "viral" is not about
the brand ... it is actually about the users -- about
me and you. If I forward a "viral" piece I will do so,
because it says something to you about ME. It
provides me with SOCIAL CURRENCY."
- Gavin Heaton
http://www.flickr.com/photos/uhmyang/24574890/

Always remember …
The best way to get
customers to market
your brand
is to allow them
to promote you
(the library)
by
marketing
themselves
CC http://www.flickr.com/photos/trishabrunner/2246254598/

Questions

Helene Blowers | hblowers@columbuslibrary.org | LibraryBytes.com