Wednesday, March 29, 2017

How can a special or government library promote its role in the organization, have fun, and still maintain an essential sense of professionalism? This session shows how embracing a sense of fun can yield both short- and longterm benefits both for the library and the community that it serves. When the Pokémon GO game was launched in July 2016, the FCC Library quickly discovered that a nearby PokéStop, where players can stop and collect in-game items, was named for the FCC Library itself. Rather than ignoring this as a fad just for kids, the library embraced its PokéStop status and created an interactive marketing campaign based around the game. Not only was there an increase in library traffic, but several other teams approached the library for future collaboration. Since then, the FCC Library has planned and implemented several successful marketing campaigns, including a relaxation area in the library with rotating activities. The success of these campaigns have stemmed from eye-catching imagery, enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff, consistent branding, and a sense of fun. While some public libraries have long embraced these techniques, they are still unusual to see in special or government libraries. Hear about the FCC Library marketing successes, pitfalls, and how libraries can loosen up to attract users without losing sight of their goals.