ALA Member
$58.50
Price
$65.00
Item Number
978-0-8389-4845-3
Published
2020
Publisher
ACRL
Pages
230
Width
10 12"
Height
8 12"
Format
Softcover
AP Categories
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  • Description
  • Table of Contents
  • About the authors

The Library Outreach Cookbook collects 110 recipes full of activities, strategies, plans, and tips designed for librarians of all stripes working within a variety of institutions, budgets, and needs. The Cookbook is divided into four sections: 

  • Getting Started with Outreach. Topics covered include marketing, planning, logos, slogans, spaces, mobile, visual media, newsletters, swag, displays, and assessment. The ideas and strategies here will work in almost any context.
  • Campus-Focused Outreach. Here we look closely at ways in which you can focus on people at your own institution—specifically, students, faculty, staff, and the broader campus community. 
  • Community-Focused Outreach. This section provides ways in which you can better connect to those folks that may not be formally connected to the institution—specifically, K-12 schools, local professionals, middle-aged and older adults, veterans, and the general community.
  • General Programming Activities and Events. These are interesting opportunities for those that interact with your library, with examples covering library orientation, food, stress relief, therapy dog programs, exercise, multicultural events, human libraries, making, themed events, and end-of-semester activities.

You can use the ideas as written, adjust them to match your own situation, or mix and match a variety of these concepts to come up with something entirely new. The Library Outreach Cookbook provides different approaches, formats, and solutions that lead to successful outreach.

Acknowledgments
Table of Contents
Introduction

Section 1: Getting Started with Outreach
Marketing
Chapter 1. Aligning Library Marketing and Communications with Institutional Branding
Beth Hendrix

Chapter 2. Crafting Tantalizing Elevator Pitches for Any Audience
Sarah E. Fancher

Planning
Chapter 3. Networking Resources for Outreach Librarians

Chapter 4. Collaborative Planning for Outreach Priorities
Mark Lenker

Chapter 5. Easy User Interviews for Event Flyers and Other Marketing Materials
Sheree Fu

Chapter 6. Creating a Master Calendar of Outreach Events
Jennifer Friedman and Nora Wood

Chapter 7. Collaboration within a Social Media Working Group
Sarah Christensen and Emily Moran

Logos
Chapter 8. Design Your Own Logo
Carina Gonzalez

Slogans
Chapter 9. Quick and Easy Taglines for Every Occasion
Cate Schneiderman

Spaces
Chapter 10. Discovering and Creating a Unique Marketable Space
Samantha Paul and Jonathan Klotz

Mobile
Chapter 11. Fostering Community Engagement with Mobile Technology
Sarah Christensen, Monique Lassere, Delaney Bullinger, and KayLee Strahan

Visual Media
Chapter 12. A Quick and Easy Guide to Curating Your Library’s Instagram Account
Jon Reed

Chapter 13. Regram and Repost
Mallory Jallas

Chapter 14. Using Memes to Grab Attention
Mark Gatesman

Chapter 15. Cost-Effective Infographic Options
A. Miller

Chapter 16. Spice Up Outreach for Online Information Literacy Using Interactive Images
Reilly Curran and Rebecca Bliquez

Chapter 17. Using Posters for a Campaign of Discovery, Diversity, and Identity
Sue Robinson and Bettina Peacemaker

Newsletters
Chapter 18. A Collaborative System for Customized eNews
Martha Roseberry, Bettina Peacemaker, and Sue Robinson

Chapter 19. A Library Newsletter with a Twist
Ashley Creek

Swag
Chapter 20. Using Memes and Stickers for Collectible Library Marketing
William Cuthbertson

Chapter 21. Tasty Reads and Sweet Surprises with the Library Book Mobile
Krissy Cwengros and Serene Rock

Displays
Chapter 22. Applying Retail Principles to Library Book Displays
Carla-Mae Crookendale and Sue Robinson

Chapter 23. Collaborative Exhibits for Marketing and Outreach
Lisa K. Hooper

Chapter 24. Library as Gallery Space
Renata Gibson

Assessment
Chapter 25. Outreach and Assessment Techniques for Your Library without Using LIBQUAL+
Dan Vinson

Chapter 26. Post-it Notes Feedback
Jessica Jordan

Chapter 27. Using Question Walls for User Feedback
Christina Broomfield, Kourtney Blackburn, and Christina Hillman

Chapter 28. Collection Recommendations Using Padlet
Rebecca Bliquez and Reilly Curran

Chapter 29. Virtual Library Safari Assessment
Ashley Creek

Section 2: Campus-Focused Outreach
Students
Chapter 30. Finding Synergy with Your Stakeholders: Crafting Student-Centered Policies, Programs, and Environments with a Student Advisory Council
Claire Veach

Chapter 31. Stirring Up Magic with Personal Librarians
Brian T. Sullivan, Trevor Riley, and Eva Sclippa

Chapter 32. Research Parties: Consultations for a Crowd
Jennifer Hunter and Christina Riehman-Murphy

Chapter 33. Bringing the Wildlife Senior’s Research Poster Session to the Library
Katia G. Karadjova

Chapter 34. Developing a Research Certificate Program for Your Library
Jeff Graveline

Chapter 35. Reaching First-Generation College Students through Storytelling
Emily Bush and Colette Strassburg

Chapter 36. Adding Leaves to Trees: Connecting African American Patrons to Their Roots
Nancy Richey

Chapter 37. Outreach for Student Athletes
Jennifer Natale

Chapter 38. Library Success for Students with Disabilities
Kaela Casey and Janet Pinkley

Faculty
Chapter 39. Using Information Literacy Mini-Grants for Faculty Outreach
Larissa Gordon

Chapter 40. Faculty Lightning Talks: Bite-Sized Research Insights
Steve Bahnaman, Elizabeth Dobbins, and Brooke Taxakis

Chapter 41. Promoting Faculty Scholarship through a Library Exhibit and Reception
Ilona MacNamara

Chapter 42. Breakfast and a Book
Kelly Heider

Chapter 43. Selling Altmetrics
Jen Bonnet, Marisa Méndez-Brady, and Brad Beauregard

Chapter 44. Inspiring Business Faculty with Comic Books and Styrofoam
Bettina Peacemaker, Yuki Hibben, and Pattie Sobczak

Staff
Chapter 45. Beating the “Blahs”
Susan Bloom

Chapter 46. Wait, I Don’t Have to Pay for That? Library Instruction for Staff
Beth Daniel Lindsay

Chapter 47. Library Olympics for Student Employees
Melissa Correll and Emily Moran
Broad Campus Community

Chapter 48. Greeting Your Patrons with Welcome Messages
Kristen R. Moore

Chapter 49. Instant InstaMeet: Creating Community in the Library
Amanda Woodward

Chapter 50. Pop-Up Library
Sarah Dauterive

Chapter 51. Weeding Party: Deselection with a Twist
Sarah Dockray

Chapter 52. A Multidisciplinary Film Discussion Series
Nell Chenault and Martha Roseberry

Chapter 53. Student Concerts in the Library
Taylor Greene

Chapter 54. You’re on the Air! Radio Show Outreach at Your University
Deborah Mole

Chapter 55. Using Smore to Promote New Books
Lindsay Davis

Chapter 56. That’s What She Said: A Display for Women’s History Month
Jennifer Harmonson

Chapter 57. A Self-Guided Library Tour using an Augmented Reality App
Dorothy Ryan

Chapter 58. Library Outreach with Augmented Reality
Rachel A. Koenig and Cori Wilhelm

Section 3: Community-Focused Outreach
K-12 Schools
Chapter 59. Getting Started with K-12 Outreach
Ariel Birdoff and Jordan Graham

Chapter 60. Elementary Students Learning in Academic Libraries
Leeanne Morrow

Chapter 61. Working with Middle and High Schools
Anne M. Jung-Matthews

Chapter 62. Model UN for High School Students
Kathryn Yelinek

Chapter 63. Opening Doors to an Academic Library Workshop Series for School Librarians
M. Delores Carlito

Local Professionals
Chapter 64. How to Chai Wai: International Engagement Involving Local Experts
Mara Thacker

Chapter 65. Speed Networking
Sabrina Wong

Chapter 66. Preparing Students for Job Interviews
Natalie Lopez

Chapter 67. Conducting Financial Literacy Events
Tensy Marcos-Bodker

Chapter 68. Outreach to Nursing Learning Communities in Remote Area Hospitals
Tia Esposito

Chapter 69. Providing Scholar Visitor Access to Your Library
Beth Daniel Lindsay

Middle-Aged and Older Adults
Chapter 70. Book Discussions that Go Beyond Just the Book
Norma Vélez-Vendrell and Amanda Gorrell

Chapter 71. More than Just Books: Responding to the Needs of Older Adults in Small Communities
Johnna Schultz

Chapter 72. Aiding Meals on Wheels Programs in Your Area
Gina Seymour

Veterans
Chapter 73. Opportunities for Working with Veterans
Jennifer Hadley

General Community
Chapter 74. Canned Food Drives
Rebecca Conkle and Mary Ann Venner

Chapter 75. Libraries Supporting the Needs of the Bereaved
Gina Seymour

Section 4: General Programming Activities and Events
Library Orientation
Chapter 76. Picture the Perfect Library Conversation Starters
Theresa McDevitt

Food
Chapter 77. Bring Patrons to the Library with “Build Your Own Food”
Gary Maixner, Mari Kermit-Canfield, and David Scott

Chapter 78. Cooking Out for Campus Safety and Health
Zachary Elder

Chapter 79. Hosting an Edible Book Contest
Alena Principato and Rebecca Vargha

Stress Relief
Chapter 80. Build a Chalkboard Mandala Table for Patron Engagement and Endless Adult Coloring Fun
Mari Kermit-Canfield, Gary Maixner, and David Scott

Chapter 81. Origami, Puzzles, and Coloring: “Unstudy Spots” on a Shoestring Budget
Heather Buchansky, Jesse Carliner, and Vincci Lui

Chapter 82. Impossibly Easy Window Graffiti
Britt McGowan, Kellie Sparks, and Amanda Ziegler

Chapter 83. Cookies, Croquet, Coloring, and Collections
Christal A. Young and Karen Howell 

Chapter 84. International Games Day in the Library
Patricia Hernandez and Jennifer Anderson 
Therapy Dog Programs

Chapter 85. Regular Visits with a Cataloged Therapy Dog
Sami Lange

Chapter 86. How a Therapy Dog Outreach Program Can Catalyze Success for University Students and Libraries
Kiriakis Newman and Jody Bailey

Exercise
Chapter 87. Literary Trail Mix: The Library Hike
Rebecca Seipp

Chapter 88. DISCover Your Library: Hosting an Indoor Disc Golf Tournament
David Scott, Gary Maixner, and Mari Kermit-Canfield

Chapter 89. Flipping a Student Rave into a Library-Sponsored Event
Stephanie J. Graves and Sarah LeMire

Multicultural Events
Chapter 90. Film Screenings and Discussions
Alyssa Martin and Christopher Shaffer

Chapter 91. Bring Your Campus Together with a Taste of Languages
Sarah J. Hammill, Sally Zamudio, and Eric Feldman

Chapter 92. Spice It Up With World Languages
Shauntee Burns-Simpson, Emily Drew, and Thomas Knowlton

Human Libraries
Chapter 93. Connecting Communities and Celebrating Diversity through Living Library Events
Tarida Anantachai and Abby Kasowitz-Scheer

Chapter 94. Open Up a Different Conversation with the Human Library
Philip Poggiali and Steven Feyl

Chapter 95. Recording Oral History: A Five-Star Outreach Experience
Holly Hendrigan and Kay Cahill

Making
Chapter 96. Utilizing Weeded Materials to Decorate Furniture
Olivia Piepmeier and Anna Pinks

Chapter 97. Creating Fantastic Gardening Kits
Kristen Mastel and Renoir Gaither

Chapter 98. DIY Terrarium Workshop
Autumn Sinai

Themed Events
Chapter 99. A Marathon Reading of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone 
Stephanie Diaz

Chapter 100. Fish Fingers and Custard: A Doctor Who Event
Mary Francis

Chapter 101. Banned Books Buffet
Amanda Melilli and Rosan Mitola

Chapter 102. Theater and Costume Design in the Library’s Banned Books Celebration
Patricia Hernandez and Jennifer Anderson

Chapter 103. Haunting Halloween Library Tour
Krista Ivy

Chapter 104. Creating a “Poet-Tree” Event for Poetry Month
Sami Lange

Chapter 105. Paint Chip Poetry
Dawn “Nikki” Cannon-Rech

Chapter 106. Arts à la Carte
Marianne Swierenga, Susan Steuer, and Michael Duffy

Chapter 107. A Curated Collection of Cookery
Julie Shen and Natalie Lopez

Chapter 108. Popcorn and Pictures: Outdoor Movies
Terra Rogerson

End of Semester
Chapter 109. Bringing Magic to Exams with the College Finals Fairy
Kylie Bailin, Ben Jahre, and Sarah Morris

Chapter 110. Graduation Photo Booth
Rebecca Metzger and Karen Lindell

About the Editors and Chapter Contributors

Ryan L. Sittler

Ryan L. Sittler is an associate professor and the instructional technology/information literacy librarian at California University of Pennsylvania. He received his MSLS from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, MSIT from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, and PhD in communications media and instructional technology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Sittler has co-edited multiple books on both information literacy and Springshare’s LibGuides platform. Among these are The Library Instruction Cookbook (2009), Using LibGuides to Enhance Library Services (2013), Innovative LibGuides Applications (2016), and The Library Outreach Casebook (2018). Dr. Sittler is also part of a team that developed the educational information literacy game, "A Planet in Peril: Plagiarism," which won the Caspian Learning 2010 Serious Games Challenge. His current research interests are instructional design in educational games and media effects as they relate to information processing. He also happens to be a huge Doctor Who fan. He can be found on Twitter at @RyanLSittler.

Terra J. Rogerson

Terra J. Rogerson is an instructor of information literacy at Duquesne University and an online reference librarian for American Public University. In her past librarian positions in both academic and public libraries, she directed outreach and marketing efforts. She received her MLIS from Florida State University. Rogerson also co-edited The Library Outreach Casebook (2018) and has been excited to work with so many innovative librarians. Her research interests are primarily in using social media and graphic design to influence library user behavior.