The APLA conference will be offering two half-day pre-conference workshops this year. The cost for each workshop will be $50.

1) Placing the Spotlight on your Library

Tuesday, June 3^rd from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Case studies and hands-on activities will be used to explore the meaning of marketing in the library context and how marketing can enhance and influence the operations of a library. Participants will also explore tools used for the public relations activities that will make their library more meaningful for their community or patron base. By the end of the session, participants will possess the basic skills required to increase awareness of their library’s services through the implementation of marketing strategies, and will be able to communicate confidently with marketing consultants.

Presented by:
Joanne Hodder, MLIS
Faculty, Library and Information Technology Program, Nova Scotia Community College

Joanne has been working in the information sector since the early 1990s and is currently a faculty member in the Library and Information Technology Program, Nova Scotia Community College. Prior to joining NSCC, Joanne was a faculty member in the School of Information Management at Dalhousie University and the University of Botswana. She has consulted to private, non-governmental, and academic organizations both nationally and internationally. The scope of her consulting practice ranges from providing training, project management, research services, through to developing knowledge management solutions.

2) Reach Out to the Media: A media training workshop

Tuesday, June 3^rd from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Libraries need advocates who can speak about the essential and evolving roles of libraries. A strong relationship with the media is a key part of advocacy, but speaking effectively with journalists is a skill. This workshop will discuss promoting events, interview skills, speaking to difficult issues, recognizing advocacy opportunities, and working with journalists. Participants will write a media release and practice interview skills.

Presented by:
Marlo MacKay
Communications Coordinator, Dalhousie University

Marlo MacKay is the Communications Coordinator for the Dalhousie University Libraries. She has twenty years of experience working in public, school, and university libraries doing everything from shelving books to performing puppet shows and answering reference questions.

In 2008, she obtained her advanced diploma in public relations from Nova Scotia Community College. She spent three years as the Communications Officer in the Communications and Marketing department of Halifax Public Libraries, where she was the editor of the Library Guide and the media contact for the library. In 2010, Marlo was a member of the volunteer board and the Communications Director for Nocturne: Art at Night, a Halifax-based festival that attracts more than twenty thousand spectators for one night of art.

At the Dalhousie Libraries, Marlo is responsible for media relations, designing promotional materials, connecting to audiences via social media, building brand identity, reputation management, representing the Dalhousie Libraries at events, and more.

Marlo has media trained Nocturne board, the executive of the Nova Scotia Association of Library Technicians, the senior management team of the Dalhousie Libraries, and to an audience at the APLA conference in 2013.