Library Spotlight:

An Award-Winning Library Marketing Campaign

Merrimack College’s McQuade Library recently won two prestigious Massachusetts Library Association (MLA) Public Relations Awards, which recognize and honor outstanding achievement in library public relations. McQuade Library received 1st prize in the “Coordinated Advocacy Campaign” area and also won the “Best in Show” prize during the MLA’s Annual Conference in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. All entries were judged by graphic design, public relations, media, library, and advertising professionals. Evaluation criteria included graphic design, originality, and presentation. Over 85 entries were submitted from Massachusetts libraries of all types (academic, school, and special).

The Meet Me @ McQuade marketing campaign seeks to increase awareness of McQuade Library as a place on campus to conduct research, study and learn. Events such as social nights, a game night, and several contests encouraged community building within the library. Central to the campaign is Kevin Salemme’s outstanding Meet Me @ McQuade black and white poster series, which depicts McQuade Library in the life of its students. Promotional items such as library mugs and t-shirts help extend the message that McQuade Library is an inviting and appealing place to meet, relax, and study. Librarian Lyena Chavez explains, “All these elements combined to create a dynamic and creative library marketing campaign that resonated with students. Collaborating with Kevin Salemme in Media Services, as well as getting student feedback through focus groups, truly strengthened our outreach efforts.”

Circulation Supervisor Chris Condon adds, “The impressive number of students using the library this year, as well as the high turnout at library events, clearly reflects the effectiveness of our Meet Me @ McQuade campaign, as well as the notion that McQuade is an exciting place on campus. We’re honored to have received this recognition from MLA and will continue our marketing efforts next year.”

To learn more about this award-winning campaign, please visit: http://www.noblenet.org/merrimack/meetme.htm

See related article about the MLA PR Awards.