6 May 2013 at Margaret Martin Library, Randwick

In attendance: Therese Scott (Ashfield) Karen Mitchell (Lane Cove) Rosemary Lown (Ku-ring-gai) Samantha Weir (Waverley) Paula Pfoeffer (Canterbury) Barbara Todes (Randwick) Maria Allue (Manly) Merilyn Hills (Hornsby) Christine Howard (Randwick)

Apologies Pamela Davis (Auburn) Gillian Hill (Stanton) Kim O'Grady (Ryde) Kate Stewart (Stanton) Robyn Owens (Bankstown) Adrianna Demmocks (Blaxland) Jane Shine (Warringah) Catherine Buddin (Pittwater) Jan Richards (Central West) Ros Dorman (Central West) Dharshini Perera (Blacktown) Liz Parker (Willoughby) Helen Macri (Blacktown)

1. Welcome, introduction and short library tour.

2. Business arising from previous meeting Further discussion of a campaign that could be used to raise/change profiles of public libraries and could be used state wide.

The objective is to change the perception of public libraries and what they have on offer. Several suggestions were put forward including running a competition for a different approach to promoting a library or what a library means (possibly filming on a smart phone). Another suggestion would be to film or photograph a moment in time in all libraries around NSW and use the results.

It was agrees that a survey should be conducted to see what libraries feel needs promoting. ACTION: Have set up an interim working party to move forward on this.

3. Marketing Awards: Karen reported on marketing awards. Have sponsors on board for SWITCH conference but none have been approached as the format of this year’s awards has not been set. Decided that the awards need to also be a resource and the Marketing Group is to work on new guidelines Some suggestions were:

Best collaboration and partnerships Best innovation in reaching your community Best internal promotional / communications strategy Best use of social media Best training programs for the public.

It was decided that each library could have two entries but that anyone on judging committee had to absent themselves from voting on a category in which their library had entered. 4. Future Meeting / Workshops Workshop for the 19 August meeting will be on using social media for community marketing. Sam (Waverley) to approach Republic of Everyone who worked with the Coastal Councils to possibly run the workshop. Working group to have ideas for Public Library social media campaign more developed before this workshop.

5. Information Exchange Canterbury are lending tablets to borrowers. Very successful, they have 10 iPads and 10 Galaxies. Borrowers sign an agreement to say they will pay if not returned or if they are damaged, so far working well. They have also conducted several workshops on how to use the tablets.

Waverley are running technology workshops delivered by staff. Each staff member will be trained in the technology but also in presenting and will then have to train other library staff first before they present to the public. Means that the staff are more confident when dealing with public enquiries.

Ku-ring-gai reported that Gordon Library will be closed for refurbishment from July to October.

Manly now has a travelling exhibition of Artists’ Books and Zines (currently on exhibition at Bowen Library). Also explained about Manly Library Afloat which is a golf cart located at the ferry wharf from 7 – 9am every morning, commuters can return, borrow or join the library.

Ashfield has a successful Musical Mondays program in which musicians play for 30 minutes (12.30 – 1.00pm) fortnightly (at a cost of approx $200)

Lane Cove have two successful writing groups which emerged from workshops “Writers in Residence” (primarily concentrating on short stories) and “Poets in Residence (poetry). They ran a small ad in the local paper and the interest has developed from there. Also produce publications from the work of the group.

Hornsby have run some very successful creative writing workshops, blog workshops with Keith Whelan who comes highly recommended.

Meeting closed at 3pm.

Next PLN Marketing meeting 19 August at 10am Ashfield Library (includes workshop).

Minutes taken by Christine Howard