Librarian Name Calling

In this issue:

A Librarian by Any Other Name – CONTEST!

If They Only Knew!

Children’s Book Editor Needed!

A Librarian by Any Other Name Contest

Most of you know that my wife Linda is a media specialist. Prior to that she was a college English instructor and has always had a gift for helping writers find ways to effectively (and correctly) communicate. She once referred to herself, alliteratively, as the “Word Witch.” When I suggested she change that to “Grammar Goddess,” she quickly embraced the term and never looked back!

That got me thinking about what people might call you, or what you might call yourself. I have heard or seen Library Lady, Guy-brarian (for our male colleagues), Information Diva, Media Maven, and Copyright Queen.

So, here’s the contest. Hit REPLY and send me up to three of your favorite titles. These can be names you have been called or that you wish students or faculty would call you. I’ll compile the list (sans names) and my wife will choose her favorite. If more than one of you submit the name she chooses, the email with the earliest time stamp wins. Deadline is midnight EDST, Saturday, March 18, 2017.

What’s the prize? A $25 Amazon gift certificate for YOU to use for YOU – not your school. Hit REPLY and give us your favorite librarian label. And remember – Linda Loves Alliteration!

I’ll reveal the winner next week and will share your entries over the next few weeks in the Smart Librarian newsletter.

If They Only Knew! – Marketing your Media Center (continued)

Marketing is everything you do to place your products and services in the hands of people who would benefit from using them.

We talked about everyone’s favorite radio station, WIIT-FM – What Is In This For Me? One of the best ways to answer that question is to present your media center resources in terms of BENEFITS and not FEATURES. Businesses struggle with this all the time. Features describe the “WHAT” of your library. Benefits answer the “SO WHAT?” Benefits solve a problem or answer a question.

Here’s an example:

Feature: We have 9,000 nonfiction books in our media center.

Benefit: Need an idea for the science fair? We have dozens of books that can help you find the perfect project! Ask Mrs. Read in the Media Center!

Feature: We have our fiction books arranged by genre.

Benefit: Love a good mystery? We have a whole section for YOU! Look for the blue spine label.

If they only knew what you offer, and how it would benefit them, they would take advantage of it! More on this next week.

THIS WEEK, make it your mission to find three ways to tell patrons about the BENEFITS of library resources!

Children’s Book Editor Needed!

My good friend and fellow school show performer, September Cardiff, has written a couple of children’s books and needs an editor. I am an above average proofreader and my wife is great with grownup stuff, but this is a little out of our wheelhouse. Do you have the skillset to help or do you know anyone who could do this? Hit reply and let me know. Or if you want to find out more about what she offers, go to www.temberstales.com/events. And of course, you can contact her directly. Thanks!

Encouraging kids to read, I am
Tommy Johns
Educational Entertainment Specialist

PS – Don’t forget to share this newsletter and blog with your colleagues!

www.TommyJohnsPresents.com
tommy@tommyjohnspresents.com
Call 770-315-3339 or Toll Free at (866) 490-READ
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