Successful Makerspace initiatives depend on constant two-way communication within the community. Communication activities will be initiated by the local library staff,
local extension educators, other local partners, and volunteers and makers. Listed below are a few suggested communication activities and resources. Each local library is encouraged
to customize them according to specific target audiences and community needs. Each local community will focus on the communication channels and activities that work best in each area.
Please share your communication successes in the Slack Forum (libinnovationstudio.slack.com) so that other communities can benefit from them. Since Word-of-Mouth is such a powerful
communication strategy, please be sure to encourage everyone to “Tell Your Friends!” about the Library Innovation Studio—what they found there, what they learned there,
who they met there, and how it changed their life.
(Everything on this page to help you communicate with your target audiences)
How Can We Use this Media Kit? [Word Doc] [PDF]
Open up the Word Doc or the PDF and use the helpful
tips to:
- Announce the arrival of the Library Innovation Studio Makerspace in your community.
- Tell the “story” of how the Library Innovation Studio can help community residents explore, collaborate, create, learn, and invent.
- Share testimonials about how the Makerspace facilitates entrepreneurship and local economic/community development.
- Invite the public to attend planning sessions, training events, workshops, and Maker Showcases.
- Recruit volunteers to serve on the Community Action Team, assist with equipment maintenance, serve as trainers on the Training Team, etc.
- Publicize the Open House to introduce the community to the Library Innovation Studio.
- Publicize the Local Maker Showcase to celebrate success with the community.
- Be sure to display the IMLS logo, available at
https://www.imls.gov/grants/manage-your-award/grantee-communications-kit/imls-logos
and include this credit line in all communication efforts: The
Nebraska Library Innovation Studios: Transforming Rural Communities
project is supported in part by the Nebraska Library Commission,
partnering with the University of Nebraska Lincoln Nebraska Innovation
Studio, Nebraska Extension, and Regional Library Systems. The project is
funded through a National Leadership Grant awarded by the Institute of
Museum and Library Services (IMLS grant #LG-95-17-0046-17).
How Do We Get Media Attention? [Word Doc] [PDF]
Develop contact lists for the media outlets in your area
- Radio
- TV
- Newspapers and other print publications
- Other
Distribute News Releases
Some Results from News Releases
Develop and Send Pitch Letters and Emails
Sample Pitch Letter/Email [Word Doc]
[PDF]
Develop and Send Public Service Announcements
Sample Public Service Announcement (PSA) [Word Doc] [PDF]
Interview Tips [Word Doc] [PDF]
Adapt this
Customizable Information Sheet [Word Doc] [PDF]
Use Social Media.
Make your message go viral when launching a story.
- Use the hashtag #LISmaker in social media posts, and encourage users to post about the makerspace using this hashtag.
- Create a social media calendar to keep track of posts and keep people talking about your makerspace.
Example Calendar
- Use a visual graphic of some kind in every post.
- Snap a picture of someone using the makerspace.
- Take a video of someone creating.
- or use this already made LIS.gif
- Always include one of the logo graphics provided below
Build Word-of-Mouth Marketing. [Word Doc] [PDF]
Don’t just wait for people to start talking. Find new ways to say, "Tell your friends!"
Signage for the Library and Community
- Flyers and posters (Library can fill in the blanks):
Legal size [PDF] |
Letter size [PDF] |
Tabloid size [PDF] |
- Specific Equipment signs -- with support solicitation
- Sample poster, as used for..... send us your examples to share here.
Resources
- Logos available for download:
- Event Planning Form (Open House, etc.) [Word Doc] [PDF]
- Template Library Open House Information Sheet [Word Doc] [PDF]
- Nebraska Library Innovation Studios: Transforming Rural Communities Website
- Maker Showcase Guidance Document [PDF]
- Power Point For Local Presentations [Power Point]
Send Us Your Feedback!
- Tell a story about a customer or ask them to tell the story in their own words. Share how you are encouraging everyone in the community to “Tell Your Friends!” and how your customers are practicing Word-of-Mouth marketing.
- Kinley (age 8) wrote this note to the Ainsworth Public Library. (Thanks, Gail Irwin.)
- Tell us what you need to promote your Makerspace.
- Tell us how we can improve the Nebraska Library Innovation Studios: Transforming Rural Communities project.
- Use the Forum (libinnovationstudio.slack.com) to learn together
(contact library staff for an invitation).