Register online now for the MCLS program, “Marketing the Public Library,” to be held at the MCLS Offices in Indianapolis on Thursday, April 21, 2011.  This special, one-time only program features Kathy Dempsey, author of The Accidental Library Marketer, and Jennifer Pearson of OCLC’s “Geek the Library” campaign.

The program will begin with Jennifer’s presentation on Geek the Library. Geek the Library is a public awareness campaign that is used as a platform for educating the public about the library’s important local role and the critical funding issues that libraries are facing today. After a successful pilot program in 2009 involving nearly 100 libraries, geek the Library can now be implemented by any public library in the US. In her presentation, Jennifer will discuss the campaign and how your library can participate.

The rest of the day will be spent with Kathy Dempsey who will teach, “Create Your Own Customized Marketing Plan.” Kathy will go over what true marketing is, including definitions and steps in the process. Attendees will brainstorm and share ideas while filling in a 5-step form that will be the basis for their own marketing plan. This program concentrates on breaking customers down into target markets and crafting specific messages to reach them most effectively. It outlines a complete marketing plan for one target, not an organization-wide marketing plan.

To register online and for further details, go to: https://members.mcls.org/workshops/viewcourse.html?id=269 NOTE: This special program is limited to 40 participants, so early registration is advised.

Agenda (Eastern Time)

9:00 am – 9:30 am Registration
9:30 am – 10:30 am Geek the Library, Jennifer Pearson
10:30 am – 12 noon Create Your Own Customized Marketing Plan, Kathy Dempsey
12 noon – 1:00 pm Lunch (provided with registration)
1:00 pm – 3:30 pm Create Your Own Customized Marketing Plan, Kathy Dempsey (cont.)
3:30 pm Adjourn

This workshop has been approved for 7 General Library Education Units (LEUs).