On National Libraries Day libraries and their supporters ran events, activities and protests in support of all types of libraries.
In the morning I did a little bit of social media for my library service by promoting and providing hints and tips for using the library catalogue.
As well as helping promote my library service I also wanted to do something with the Library A to Z. A key feature of National Libraries Day is to get the message out to people that libraries have so much to offer. During the launch of the A to Z, Andy Walsh, myself and many other people did this by sending out materials to key decision makers, politicians and the media. We also ran on online campaign.
For National Libraries Day I decided to again share the message about the importance of libraries beyond Libraryland itself.
So, I took a stack of A to Z books and greetings cards on a journey. I wanted to leave them in places for passers-by to pick-up and read.
I put a message in the books and cards. Both messages mentioned National Libraries Day, what it is and why libraries are still relevant. As well as the message in the card I also attached an 1850 – 2000 public libraries commemorative 50 pence piece and emphasised that 15 years on from this celebration, libraries are facing huge budget cuts and closures and that campaigners are fighting against this.
I spent most of the afternoon/evening travelling around Surrey and London via train and bus and left copies on different routes. I aimed for covering as much of a geographical spread as possible, so when I last saw them, copies of the book and the cards were headed towards London Bridge, Watford, Epping, Heathrow, Windsor, Kensal Rise, The City, Southampton, Brighton and Reading. I suppose you could say Kensal Rise was a symbolic choice, as I know that campaigners in Brent have not had the best of times there. I also visited The British Library and left a book and card there.
I wanted to promote the value of libraries outside of the library environment, but I also wanted to do something with a bit of protest about it – hence the 50 pence pieces in the card. It was not a big protest I’ll admit, but every little reminder helps get the message out there.
I don't know how much positive impact my actions on National Libraries Day will have, and I don’t know who picked up and read/kept the books and cards, but I know that if I hadn't done it then no-one at all would have picked them up. Maybe a copy was picked up by someone who:
- Decides to the visit the library for the first time based on what the A to Z showed them it has to offer.
- Is inspired to be a libraries champion in the future.
- Changes their negative opinion about libraries.
- Is now aware of the support libraries need and maybe they will be in a position to influence someone else about the future of libraries.
I know I wasn't the only person to use the Library A to Z for National Libraries Day. Lots of libraries and their supporters also used the materials available to promote their services, as part of events and in other creative ways. The National Libraries Day site also pointed people to the materials. It’s great to see that these materials are being used, as that was one of the reasons they were created.
This is an edited version of an article first published on Gary's blog Information Twist. You can follow him on Twitter@ggnewed