Presented at the Indiana Library Federation annual state conference, October 23, 2013

1. The Modern Book
Discussion
Meets at the bar

2. Who I am
• Leah L. White
• Head of Popular Materials
• Ela Area Public Library
• @leahlibrarian
• www.leahlwhite.com

3. Who I am not

4. That's great but...
http://bit.ly/GVhiJd

5. The Plan
• Making the pitch
• Location, location, location
• Marketing and branding
• Facilitation and execution
• Beyond book clubs

6. Making the Pitch
Get stuff done

8. What isn't pictured
http://bit.ly/NU0tLT

9. Northbrook Public Library
http://bit.ly/1gvfEyb

10. Relentless Enthusiasm
Your mantra

11. The importance of positivity

12. Step 1 - start researching

13. Step 2 - start writing
• Start jotting down ideas
• Possible locations
• Possible names
• Demographic info

14. Step 3
http://bit.ly/1gUrfEH
Find your allies

15. Step 4 - start talking

16. Step 5 - diffuse anxiety
http://www.nataliedee.com/

17. Step 6 - take action
http://www.themarysue.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/dany-like-a-boss.jpg

18. Proposal Writing
• Mission statement/purpose
• Stakeholders & target demographics
• Plan of Action
• Timeline
• Associated costs (including staff time)
• Evaluation criteria

19. Purpose

20. Purpose
• Provide programming
for an under served
population
• Attract new patrons
and cardholders
• Update/modernize the
image of the library
with taxpayers

21. On wording

22. Questions so far?
http://blog.beeriety.com/wp-content/uploads/beerbooks4.png

23. Location, location, location
The fun part

24. Where in the world?
http://www.carmensandiego.com/files/content/sites/carmen/files/where_in_world_cs_dos.png

25. Research

26. The best part

27. Meet with the management

28. Work out the kinks

29. Questions so far?

30. Marketing and Branding
aka the story of LitLounge

31. LitLounge's Tale
http://bit.ly/1a1qY1u

32. Epic Fail

33. Attack of the terrible logo

34. Re-branding
• Simple
• Modern
• Fun
• Work with a professional (if you
can)
• Never ever ever put your target
demographic on the advertising

35. Books on Tap logo

36. Work with your partners

37. Think outside the newsletter box

38. Communication AND advertising

39. Attitude

40. Questions so far?

41. Facilitation and Execution
Different how?

42. Be loud

43. Be flexible

44. Be sociable

45. It takes two, baby!

46. Mix it up

47. Questions so far?

48. Beyond Book Clubs
That's right! There's more!

49. Appy Hour

50. Senior Center book talks

51. Trivia nights

52. All things considered
• Resistance is futile...when you write proposals
• Location is key
• Create a thoughtful brand
• This isn't your grandmother's book club...so don't run it
that way

53. Thank you.
• Questions?
• Twitter @leahlibrarian
• www.leahlwhite.com