[SPAM] [WEB4LIB] RE: marketing, lobbying, and vendors

[Matthew Theobald]

Two points from my experience:

Once in a videoconference with Larry Prusak (who coined the term
Knowledge Managment) I asked him what librarians could do to become
more active with KM initiatives in organizations.  He answered, "Have
you ever heard of P.T. Barnum?"

The Director of a major library told me he had his entire staff do
Meyers-Briggs testing.  90%+ were introverts.  You don't have
introverts do marketing.  It will take a major cultural change for this
to happen at the librarian level.

I like the idea of marketing like the ACLU or even something like
TIAA-CREF. (or even the Lottery)  It is not hard to argue that
libraries are the foundation of cultural investment in communities.  

-Matt

Matthew S. Theobald, MLS
317 North East Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
mailto://Theobald@isen.org
ring: (317) 716 7729


> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: [SPAM] [WEB4LIB] RE: marketing, lobbying, and vendors
> From: "K.G. Schneider" <kgs at bluehighways.com>
> Date: Mon, November 22, 2004 4:28 pm
> To: "Multiple recipients of list" <web4lib at webjunction.org>
> 
> I don't think this is a case of being wrong or right... maybe just different
> angles on things.
> 
> > 1. We don't charge for membership
> 
> Well, yes you do. It's called Taxation. Library services aren't free... we
> just pay for them in advance. Getting your users to "get" this is important.
> 
> > "Marketing" in the form of getting to know a few crucial people who
> > could make a really killer endowment happen, or a parcel tax happen, is
> > what will make the difference for us.
> 
> There is an argument to be made that the more people you serve, the more
> likely it is (albeit with many other factors involved) that you will get
> that endowment or parcel tax. You certainly couldn't make the reverse
> argument, that reducing the number of people happy with your services will
> improve your chances of better funding... 
> 
> Karen G. Schneider
> kgs at bluehighways.com