National Library Card Month-Minutes

I wanted to keep everyone informed about our first National Library Card Month meeting. We are committed to increasing the number of registrations by 5%. In order to be more effective, we have targeted certain segments of our communities.

Here are our preliminary plans.

Elementary Schools:

We will be targeting children grades 1-3 specifically for this program. After reading Patrick Jones' book on National Library Card Month, we have come to the conclusion that the more successful programs in elementary schools limited their target grades. The key to reaching the children is to provide motivation for teachers. Therefore, we will be offering a prize drawing for teachers who are able to register a certain percentage (to be named later) of students in their classrooms. Children who register for a card (or are already registered) will receive a key chain with their new key tag library card attached. These cards will be sent to the teachers in each class to give out to each child who turns in a completed application. Parents will understand by previous flyers that they have to bring the card in to the library to get it activated. More details upcoming.

High-Schoolers:

We will be sending each high school teacher a letter (with a return postcard), advertising on-site library card sign-up for their classes after which Cindy will schedule a visit to talk up databases, IM, and library card sign-up. Staff will be notified that a school in their area has requested a visit and will have the option to attend. The teens will be given a card on the spot with which they will be able to access our databases. In order to check out books, they will have to have their parent come in, sign, and provide proof of address. More details later...

General Public:

Lynn is working on a traveling Innovative. Because of this, thanks Lynn!, we will be able to register and give cards to future customers on the spot. Currently we are targeting Eastgate Mall and Borders. Each person who applies for a card will be entered into a drawing for a gift certificate from the business that is allowing us to visit. There was also talk from the committee about approaching Friends about providing a book sale at the mall, bearing in mind that the mall would allow us the space. More details forthcoming....

Show Your Card and Save:

Currently Sandy is working on Show Your Card and Save. This program is for all card holders and encourages the public to get a card in order to save money at businesses. Each business may choose whatever discount they want. When our customers show their cards, they receive that discount. Sandy currently has 13 businesses signed up and has a goal to reach at least 2-3 businesses in each community.

Please start talking this program up with the staff. Get them motivated! Let's work together to impact our community in a positive way.

I would like to thank the committtee for all of their wonderful preliminary ideas, Lynn, Tammy C., Chris W., Cindy M., Sandy, Julie, Laura, & Ruth Ann, and Linda. Wish us luck, we have alot of hard work ahead of us.