Public Relations Advisory Committee
During the Board's strategic planning process in 2005-2006, six key issues were identified. Among them was Marketing and Public Relations of Libraries and Library Services. This key issue incorporated the many comments that were received about the need for libraries of all types to better connect with people about the services they provide or could provide with additional funding. Comments included the need for work with the library community to ensure that citizens and the legislature know that library resources are still relevant to one's life work (whether that "work" is learning, business, retirement, etc.). This topic also included mention of state-wide educational/ marketing efforts, etc.
To kick off this effort, a Public Relations Summit was held at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston on June 15, 2006, to which more than 60 librarians, trustees and friends were invited. During the Summit, attendees heard from an outside expert on Marketing, Public Relations and Advertising, reviewed Massachusetts and three other states promotional campaigns, as well as brainstorming future audiences, message and ideas. Out of this Summit a smaller Public Relations Advisory Committee was adopted by the Board in August 2006, with the first members appointed in September 2006.
Charge
The committee, which will be a standing committee of the Board, will consider the current public relations and marketing environment of Massachusetts libraries and develop and maintain a three-year public relations and marketing plan for recommendation to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Initially, the results of the committee's work will be reflected in the next LSTA five-year plan now under development.
Time Line for the First 3-year Plan (FY2008-2010)
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MBLC appoints Committee September 7, 2006
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Kickoff Meeting (full day) October 18, 2006
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2nd Committee Meeting (half day) November 8, 2006
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Additional Committee Meetings (half day) November 2006 - January 2007
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Language for LSTA LRP developed November 2006
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Develop Draft Plan December 2006
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Share Draft Plan with MBLC January 2007
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Committee finalizes Draft Plan February 2007
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Draft Plan & Recommendations reported to MBLC March 2007
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Board adopts Three-Year Marketing Plan and Recommenations April 2007
Committee Composition
The committee will number no more than 17 and will be drawn primarily from attendees of the Public Relations Summit held on June 15, 2006. All types of libraries will be represented with attention paid to geographical distribution, size of community served, and experience with public relations and marketing. Membership will include library directors and staff, trustees, friends, Commissioners and Board staff.
Terms of Service
Committee members will be appointed for 2-year terms with the initial committee members appointed for 1- or 2-year terms to create overlapping membership.
Committee Minutes