Rachel Johnson is director of Products and Promotions for ALA Graphics, in the ALA’s publishing unit. She is charged with developing products that promote libraries, literacy and reading and support ALA programs and initiatives.

In this video, Johnson talks about the new Kareem Abdul-Jabbar READ poster produced for Library Card Sign-up Month. She also discusses how ALA Graphics chooses celebrities for the posters.

She says it is easy for someone to suggest subjects for future READ posters. Just e-mail graphicsmarketing@ala.org. She said libraries can also order a CD through the ALA Store (http://www.alastore.ala.org) that enables them to create their own READ posters.

Tags: National Library Week, PR tools, Podcasts by admin
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The American Library Association will roll out its redesigned Web site at this year’s Annual Conference in Anaheim, Calif. The new design promises a new look and easier navigation.

Billie Peterson-Lugo, chair, ALA Website Advisory Committee, and Michelle Frisque, past chair, ALA Website Advisory Committee, LITA board member and LITA president-elect, discuss the changes on a podcast posted to the ITTS blog.

During the interview, conducted by Karen Muller, ALA librarian and chair, ALA Web Editorial Board, listeners will learn about the process followed for the Website Usability Study, including contributions from the ALA Website Advisory Committee.

For more information on the redesign, click http://itts.ala.org/update/2008/05/05/website-redesign-update/. The site contains background info, as well as screen grabs from the new Web site.

To listen to the podcast click here.

Tags: Podcasts by admin
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The old saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” has never been truer. In an age when home video can “go viral,” reaching millions of viewers, the opportunities for using outlets like Google Video for promotional purposes are vast.

Here is an example of how the American Library Association has used Google Video to promote libraries and literacy. This is the Webcast of this year’s Youth Media Awards presentation, shot at the ALA’s Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia.

To learn more about Google Video please visit http://video.google.com/. - Contributed by Macey Morales, Manager, Media Relations, ALA Public Information Office

Tags: PR tools by admin
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A video produced by the American Library Association (ALA) Public Information Office features an interview with Cathleen Bourdon, the ALA’s associate executive director, Communications and Member Relations.
Bourdon, who is responsible for the ALA’s Member and Customer Service Center, Chapter Relations Office, International Relations Office, Library/Knowledge Management, Office for Research & Statistics, Public Programs Office, Public Information Office (PIO), Office for Library Advocacy and Membership Development, discusses the four goals of a plan to improve communications between the ALA and its members. The plan is based on a member survey.
The four goals deal with:
• Improvements to the ALA Web site.
• Speeding up the time of response to member questions.
• Helping staff understand how to respond to member inquiries.
• Strengthening staff commitment to member services.

Tags: Podcasts by admin
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This week, several U.S. Senators and Representatives celebrated Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill.

Full coverage of the event on Capitol Hill can be found at the ALA Washington Office’s blog, District Dispatch.

Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros, known as Día, is an annual celebration  of children, families and reading that culminates every year on April 30. The celebration emphasizes the importance of advocating literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

Tags: ALA News by admin
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Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith has a second life in public service announcements (PSAs) featuring him as spokesman Step Up to the Plate @ your library®.

In these PSAs, also available in Second Life, Smith discusses the Step Up to the Plate program and the value of libraries. - Contributed by Megan Humphrey, Manager, Campaign for America’s Libraries

Tags: Campaign for America's Libraries by admin
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