Toolkit for School Library Media Programs - American Library ...

For More Information
Visit the campaign Web site at www.ala.org/@yourlibrary.
Or contact the American Association of School
Librarians. Tel: 800-545-2433 ext 1396 or aasl@ala.org.
Putting the @ your
library ® Brand to Work
Flexible and easy to adapt, the @your library ® brand can
be used to create your own slogans and artwork for
programs and promotional materials such as newsletters,
flyers, bookmarks, mouse pads and magnets. Brainstorm
with school staff and students. Or, for more slogans, go
to www.ala.org/@yourlibrary. Click on School Library
Campaign and then Marketing and Promotion. See “Who’s
on Board” on page 6 for examples of how school library
media centers have already used the brand.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
Students
Kindergarten-Elementary
● It’s a small world @ your library—Use the theme for
a series of multicultural displays and programming.
● Read to your pet @ your library—Ask kids to write
about what they think their pet’s favorite book
would be and why. Have them take photos or draw
pictures to accompany their piece. Display or post
them in the library and on the Web site. Award
prizes.
● Get caught reading @ your library—Take candid
photos of children reading in the library and around
school. Keep a running display in the library and on
the Web page. Or, let children enter their name in a
drawing for prizes every time they read a book.
● Join the All-Stars @ your library—Start your own All-
Star Reading Team. Students must read a certain
number of books. Work with a local sports team or
business to get free or discounted seats at a sporting
event for those who qualify. Or, invite members of a
local team to visit your library and meet the Reading
All-Stars.
● Reading is fun @ your library—Make or buy colorful
bookmarks with lists of fun reading to give to
children. Encourage them to write brief book
5
reviews and put them in the front of books, in your
newsletter and on the Web site.
Middle-High School
● @ your library? @ your library!—Sponsor an @ your
library ® slogan contest for students. Recruit school
staff to serve as judges. Then take the winning
slogans and use them.
● Get the score @ your library—Sponsor a series of
clinics to coach students on preparing for tests, how
to use databases, cite sources and other information
literacy skills. Use a sports motif on promotional
materials. (See the new “Get the Score” graphic
available online.) Wear a sports cap and whistle
around your neck when conducting a session.
● Slammin’ @ your library—Plan a series of programs
around poetry. Have students read a favorite
poem—their own or someone else’s—each day on
the PA. Posters and a manual for creating a poetry
slam are available from ALA Graphics.
● Express yourself @ your library—Sponsor workshops
on various ways of expressing yourself. Invite
authors, poets, artists, composers and musicians (of
all types) to lead workshops. Feature the students’
work via an art exhibit, talent show, special
publication or Web site.
● Come together @ your library—Promote the library
as a meeting place for classes and students, whether
they’re coming together for research, a class project
or to work on homework with friends. Use the same
slogan to reach out to teachers about how you can
help them reach their classroom goals.
Teachers & Administrators
● We’re here for you @ your library—Send a
personalized welcome letter to invite faculty
members to tour the media center and to let them
know about special services/resources available to
them and their students. Follow up with a call. (See
“Sample Invitation” on page 14.)
● Beyond the Web @ your library—Offer training
sessions for staff on how to create assignments that
challenge students to go beyond the Web, how to
use databases, surf the “invisible Web” and other
21st century research techniques.
● Meet me @ your library—Select a day, possibly an
in-service day, and invite teachers for coffee and a