Advert Council/PackBell commercial

[Cara Pellegrini]

I have a vision of a *library* commercial, either as self promotion,
or in conjunction with some of these "software giants" that shows a person
at home, logged onto the I-net at 2:00 am, searching for information.  The
search leads to the local library.  The at-home user sends an email message
to the librarian, perhaps with an attachment file from the web, showing what
(s)he is trying to find.  The info zooms through the telephone lines to the
library, where it is received in the A.M. and dealt with appropriately.  The
needed info sent back to the requestor.  Switch to the weekend, a brisk,
bright fall day.  The at-home info gatherer is seen entering the library
with child in tow, is greeted by the librarian and thanks him/her for the
help.  Scene fades away as the child runs to the children's section and sits
with other kids to listen to another librarian read a story.  Announcement
says "Supported by your public library, Packard Bell, Microsoft, Netscape"
etc.  
I wholeheartedly agree with the statement below, and believe that we have to
show how the library can be a friendly, unintimidating place.  Image does
mean alot, and if people *perceive* us to be accessible and friendly,
accessible and friendly we will be.  That's the magic of advertising...No
one is going to jump up and promote the library for us. We have to do it
ourselves.  I think we'd get alot more out of putting time and energy into
creating a commercial to counteract the stereotypes than we will out of
flaming Packard Bell.
Any takers on creating a commercial...?;-)

>>What concerns me though is the fact that this
>>depiction of libraries didn't just spring
>>maliciously out of some advertiser's head.  This
>>commercial reflects a reality for many people

 I think this is a GREAT idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
>    Every year, the Advertising Council creates an ad campaign for public 
>    service issues (see the examples at 
>     http://www.adcouncil.org/icons.html.  Perhaps it is time for us in 
>     library land to approach groups like SLA, ALA, ASIS and so on and put 
>     together a proposal for the Advertising Council and let them develop an 
>     ad campaign for libraries - all kinds - and all the services available 
>     in them.  If we want to let the world know what we do and how we do 
>     it, maybe this is a solution.

Cara            



carap at ix.netcom.com