No matter what your position is within your organization, sooner or later, you are going to be approached to write something. It may be a description for an upcoming program, a press release, a grant proposal, or something as simple as an email to a patron or colleague. For some, writing any of these would be easy. Beautiful prose would flow from their brains to their fingers and out to the keyboard, pen, or pencil. For others, writing anything is about as appealing as a root canal – something that is done only out of necessity.

As we say good-bye to 2020, it is customary to set goals moving into the new year. The promises we make for ourselves generally center on self-improvement and less on the impact we have on our community.

2020 was a year of suffering. From daily death tolls becoming a part of our lexicon to the fight for racial justice, this year has pushed our mental limits. Throughout it all libraries have been there to offer support, relief, and comfort for the individuals they served.

At the 2020 ILA Annual Conference, I had the privilege of co-presenting a program, Effective Library Marketing Campaigns, with two colleagues, Burgundy Hill from Quincy Public Library and Ann Reeves from Eureka Public Library District. Our presentation focused on how libraries can promote themselves through stronger coordination of communication channels, better brand building, and campaign planning tools that are easily available through the My Library Is... website. Here's a description:

Are you interested in library advocacy and outreach? Want to help RAILS libraries tell their story and make the case for increased support/funding? Apply to be a My Library Is.. Advisory Group member!

RAILS is seeking seven volunteers to help publicize the campaign and make people more aware of resources on the My Library Is... website. Volunteers will be asked to help create new resources and write regular blog posts. To apply, please fill out this interest form by Friday, September 25, 2020 (deadline extended).