Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) Three Year Marketing Plan Update
New state-wide Website and ad campaign to start in January

With the launch of a new advertising campaign and Web site in January, the MBLC seeks to increase awareness that today's libraries offer something for everyone

The web site is designed to help people find a nearby library or, using a library card, access some of the online resources available to current patrons.

Radio and television (and in some areas, cinema) ads promoting library services to non-users and highlighting aspects of libraries that are sometimes overlooked by the public will also begin airing In January.

You'll hear more about the campaign in the next few weeks and have access to an on-line toolkit containing the commercials and materials to help you support the campaign in your library. A link to the site will be available towards the end of the month.

While we don't expect the television commercial will dramatically increase demand for these titles, plans are for the opening sequence to contain brief glimpses of four books:

* Jorge el Curioso (Curious George)
* Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
* Captain Underpants
* Rachel Ray Just in Time

If you have questions or comments, please email or call Celeste Bruno at Celeste.Bruno@state.ma.us; 617-725-1860 X208.

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Just a Reminder! Massachusetts Library Directory Available on MLIN

Looking for a colleague? Don't know who to contact in a neighboring (or across the state) library for an interlibrary loan? Have a question about collections or access in a special library? Where do you turn to find the names of children's librarians in the NMRLS communities?

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) compiles a Statewide Library Directory of over 1,700 regional member libraries. The Directory is hosted on the Massachusetts Library and Information Network (MLIN) web site http://www.mlin.org/libraries/directory/index.php. It serves as a one-stop resource for library contacts in the state, covering main library buildings, branches, departments, and key staff contact in the libraries. The Directory can be searched using a variety of criteria, including: organization name, library name, municipality, and library type. You can search for library staff by name or function, or click on "advanced search." There you'll have options to choose the entire region, or all the directors, or all circulation librarians, or a combination. There's a public view and a librarian's view with a bit more information. (The latter needs a user name and password, so call NMRLS if you don't know these.)

The Directory is a cooperative effort between the MBLC and the six regional library system offices. The regional offices are responsible for maintaining currency and accuracy in the database for their own members. For NMRLS, Lucie Gallagher keeps the information up-to-date.

But, we can only input the most current information if you let us know! Please look at your own library's record to ensure that your information is correct and provide updates to the NMRLS office via fax (978-739-4537), phone (978-762-4433), or email to lucie@nmrls.org.