How to Get Your Programs Noticed

Gwendolyn B. Guster WelchImmediate Past President

Birmingham (AL) Public Library Board of Trustees

How many �mes have you looked at other nonprofits and wondered how they got the media or public toa�end their events? Or how many �mes you have seen a packed house for another organiza�on's program,and thought your own programs could have had just as many a�endees but it didn't. Well, to get people in the door, you have to show them what you have to offer. Here, I offer a few easy �psin ge�ng no�ced.

1) Make friends with your local mediaDo you know who covers arts and literature, libraries or other book-related topics at your local newspaperor television sta�on? Take note of reporters' stories. If they are repor�ng about another library in a nearbycommunity, chances are, they'll report on your event. It's all in knowing which person to contact.

2) Know what makes a good story If award-winning chess players are being trained at your library, that's a story. When is the next chesstournament for youth? When is the next chess training? Send a schedule to the reporter, le�ng them knowthat you have a champion teacher in your midst and he or she is training students for the next city, countyor state tournament. If your team has a winning streak, that makes the coverage even more special.

3) Don't forget bloggers, the radio and social mediaBe sure to include area bloggers and radio personali�es in your press release list. They tend to have theflexibility to turn around a story in a short amount of �me. Follow them on Twi�er, Facebook, Instagram,etc. Put out interes�ng social media posts so that they'll want to follow you.

4) Know what it takes to get your press release readIf you send out press release upon press release and the media is not showing up to your events that couldmean one of several things. They could be busy and just can't a�end, they received the no�ce too late won'tbe able to fit it into their schedule or they just aren't interested. That last one hurts the most. When sendinga press release, make sure it’s relevant to a wide audience. Something like a yard sale to raise money forcancer awareness is huge. Announcing that you have five new book �tles isn't as exci�ng.

5) Get out in the community and networkMake a point to a�end luncheons, workshop, business recep�ons, etc. and network. You can't meet newpeople and let them know about your library if you are always stuck behind a desk. Introduce yourself topeople, tell them about what your library is doing and why having a library card is important. Our libraryrecently had a breakfast networking event for the area business school and its business membership. Whenmembers came to the library to hear the mayor speak, many said that was their first �me being in thedowntown library. We received posi�ve feedback from the event and also a lot of media coverage. The eventwould never have happened had our public rela�ons director not a�ended a Veterans Day breakfast mee�ngand struck up a conversa�on with one of the organizers. A�er a few weeks of correspondence, the pr directorand organizer set up a breakfast networking event at our downtown library. Everyone enjoyed themselves.

Book Layout and Design By: Lisa Mitchell Smith, Birmingham Public Library

Bards & Brews

The Birmingham Public Library is hos�ng a series of poetry slams. Held on the first Friday of each month,each slam will be emceed by a performance ar�st or poetry slam events director. Each contestantcontributes $5 to the pot, and winner takes all. Southern Fried Slam rules will be observed. A vendorwith a liquor license will provide free beer for sampling and bo�les for purchase. Par�cipants must be18 years or older. Musical performances before each show. Word up y'all!

Fashion Friday

'Tis the season for parties and social gatherings. But what do you wear? Birmingham fashion blogger Alexis Barton wants to put minds at ease byoffering style tips. There will be door prizes from Belk, Betsy Prince, designer Roxy Rabb and more. Library fashion books will also be available. Barton will answer lots of questions. Some will include: How do you take office attire from day to night? How can you sparkle and shine without breaking the bank? What does dressy casual really mean?

"I hope this event will calm people's anxiety around dressing for\ social occasions and help them see that there are a variety ofoptions for pu�ng together their own looks,'' Barton said. "Sequins willbe involved.''

Word Up!

High school students (grades 9-12) enrolled or home-schooled in Jefferson County are invited tocelebrate their voices through a poetry slam. The students will write and perform an original workinspired by a theme selected by the Word Up! Committee. The participants in WORD UP! will bethe winners from each school’s contest. Each school is responsible for holding its own contest. Cashprizes will be awarded.

BPL @Night

BPL@Night is a series of high quality evening performances offered free-of-charge by BirminghamPublic Library in an effort to bring enriching cultural programs to downtown Birmingham and thecity’s neighborhoods. BPL@Night highlights local and regional performers that reflect the diversityof our community and draw from a wide range of personal experience. Through programs such asthese, the library seeks to provide Birmingham citizens of all ages opportunities for entertainment,ongoing education, and personal growth.

Local Authors Expo

The Local Authors Expo is an annual program that provides opportunities for local authors topromote their books to the public and to network with each other. Featured authors' works runthe gamut from children's to adult fiction, nonfiction, humor, and stories of inspiration andpersonal triumph.

Eat Drink Read Write Festival

The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) and partners present the Eat Drink Read Write Festival. We’rebringing food, culinary arts, and literature to the table in a format that will help foster communityin a diverse city. Everyone eats, savors favorite foods, and enjoys food memories. By engaging folksin conversations around food we’re able to bring everyone to the table, sharing interests and,experiences, by creating a common bond.

Ghouls’ Ball

Teens and Tweens Get Ready to Scream at the Annual Ghouls’ Ball at the Birmingham Public Library!If you are a student in grades 6-12, start designing your costume for the Birmingham Public Library’sAnnual Ghouls’ Ball. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes in the following categories:SPOOKIEST, MOST CREATIVE, and FAVORITE BOOK CHARACTER. Get ready for music, a dance contest,Wii games, a bungee run, good eats, photos, and more.

Blast Into Fitness/Get Fit For Free

If you've already cheated on your New Year's resolution to get fit, don't give up. The BirminghamPublic Library has something to keep you motivated. Russell Lee, a certified group exerciseinstructor, a skilled YMCA instructor, and a BPL Library Assistant 3, will lead a free exercise class.Be sure to bring bottled water and a towel. Also, check with your doctor before starting anyfitness program.

Throughout January, we'll be posting fitness and exercise tips from Russell and other sources. So,don't lose hope with your battle of the bulge in 2013. There's always tomorrow to start anew. Theclass is part of the city's Let's Move Birmingham health initiative.

Explore Your Family Tree

The Birmingham Public Library presents an Introduction to Family History and GenealogicalResearch. Genealogy is the study of family history. Tracing your own family’s history is a journey ofdiscovery that can be as exciting as hunting for treasure and as satisfying as solving a puzzle. Cluesin the information you already have will help lead you step-by-step to new facts and revelations oneach generation. The search is fun and exciting. The results will help you understand the past andleave an extraordinary gift for future generations.

Notes