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Great Ideas

Great Ideas from inCite Wrap-ups

To help you with your LIW 2008 activities and events download the below PDFs to find our what participants did in previous years

LIW Wrap-up 2006
LIW Wrap-up 2007

Great Ideas from Great Ideas LIW Competition 2007

Here are some inspirational Great Ideas LIW entries from previous years.

Academic Libraries

I work in a big concrete box building. I'd like students & staff to see & know what librarians really do with their time when not at the desk. I'd like our computer screens projected onto walls of the building inside & out. I'd like them to be able to witness the books we buys, the databases we use & think about, the humour & bizarreness of what we do. I'd like us to work in a big glass box (like Regurgitator) in the middle of the library foyer (or the uni) & so everyone could stop us & see us immediately. It could get nightmarishly busy but the immediacy would be fun. Using technology to create openness rather than distance. --I'd also like our building decorated with fabulous big red @ your library flags & banners so it looked alive & festive.

Submitted by Emma Nelm, QLD
With USB drives commonly holding 1Gb or more, could prepare a rich folder of "Library @ my Stick" - useful carry-around bits might include extract of library website, catalogue details, database information, "how to research" pages, favourites, links and contacts, even portable open office and browser apps. Have it loaded at a Library 'copy station' PC as well as on the web. Stick it @ your library.
Submitted by Fiona Thomson, SA
My dream library promotional activity for Victoria University Library, would be a hot ballooning flight (with our Library brand painted on the balloon) over our 12 campuses which are situated in the city and the Western part of Melbourne, distributing pamphlets about our new Library development/transformation in
Submitted by Aude Sowerwine, VIC
"Chocolates and Chat" morning tea to welcome new students and to promote Library and Information Week to be held on Tuesday 22nd May. Coinciding with the "Chocolates and Chat" morning tea there will be a display of "Insider Tips" - tips for new students from Library staff; each tip linked to a photo of the staff member suggesting it as a way of personalising the tips.
Submitted by Wendy Abbott, QLD

Public Libraries

"Speed Living Library: The trend of speed dating combined with the concept of a Living Library. 30 human books situated around the library where each patron interviews each book for 3 minutes on a rotational basis. Suggested questions and 'book' bio would be supplied. This event would aim to break down prejudices and open our eyes to different ways of connecting with people by establishing a verbal connection with a live book. It would also serve as a great kick start for a continuous living library.
Submitted by Kylie Lingard, NSW
We are holding a kids "block" party on Friday night 25th May. Our block party aims to introduce kids to each other so that will become familiar with their neighbours and recognise them when visiting the library. Our new library is in the town square development of over 100 units. Many children who come to the library see it as an extension of their living space. However, we have found that children living in the same block of units may visit the library at the same time not knowing that they are neighbours. The party has a "Space" theme with games, dancing and stories along with two characters "robot" and "astronaut".
Submitted by Liz Agnew, NSW
What else is more important than lifelong learning in our library. We are not only the first public library in the West who set up a flickr page, we will be having a pre- LIW blogging hands- on session for the staff and public and yes, not forgetting the Flickr, PictureAustralia and Web 2.0 talk we will be having over the LIW. This 2007 Library and Information Week at our library will be informational, entertaining and, very 2.0!
Submitted by Hoi Ng, WA
At Kogarah Library this year, we have seven days of activities covering a wide range of topics at Library Week. The six areas we have chosen are: Food; music; kids' play; finance; authors; and IT. All the areas are promoted by using a universal format of "food @ your library, music @your library, authors @ your library", etc. Examples of activities included in the areas are: Harp and band music for "music @ your library"; Google guru workshop for "IT @ your library". The slogan for the Library Week is "Dive into ideas @ your library" and "your library, your idea store". We are holding innovative activities to open up a whole wide picture of what the library can bring to people. People can "shop" for all kinds of ideas. We want to show people it can be quite amazing what you can learn and find in the library.
Submitted by Wenmin Chen, NSW
My idea is still in the planning stage: a storytime activity: 'Blokes, Babies and Books' a storytime activity just for the father figure in the family. I'd include a little talk about the importance of reading, a display of new 'blokey' books and AV and a nice morning tea of course.
Submitted by Barbara Johnson, VIC
1. Identify our most dedicated, passionate, sparky patrons
2. Recruit them to a forum (online) on promoting THEIR library LIW '07
3. Get them to do the promotion.
Ducati Motorcycles recently fired its marketing department and replaced them with a community passionate customers. We should be able to get at least that kind of loyalty and excitement. Lacking a marketing department, we can tap into the ideas and energy of our patrons, who can tell the library about itself, and tell the community about the library.
Submitted by Matthew Nogrady, ACT
Run a photo or short video competition with the theme, inviting your customers to post their entries to Flickr (photos) or YouTube (videos). The best entries could be used for promoting your local library.
Submitted by Sarah Steed, ACT
Book blings @ your library, --series one, book perfect--for those who like some sparkle, and a little glitz or even a lot of glam,--reward yourself with our book blings,--tokens representing reader gems,--collect them all, series one - book perfect, out in library week, ----next book blings - series two, book pleasure--series three, book power
Submitted by Anne Tomietto, VIC
To provide information to libraries and community members on Lismore community's experience of establishing Australia's first Living Library, launched at Lismore City Library, NSW on 3 November 2006. Based on the successful European model, the 'books' in the Living Library are people who have experienced prejudice or negative stereotyping, and the 'readers' are interested community members who want to learn more about those who they wouldn't ordinarily meet. Through half hour conversations between a 'book' and a 'reader', community cohesion is built. An evaluation of Lismore's Living Library has been written to demonstrate its effectiveness, and information could be provided for distribution to all libraries to promote within their communities during Library week. The Living Library extends the scope of the traditional public library, offers a safe environment for people to learn more about others in their community (e.g. people from different cultures, faith, age, ability, etc), increases membership to the library, and offers an inclusive experience for everyone in the community, including people with low literacy levels, vision impairment, children and older people.
Submitted by Shauna McIntyre , NSW
Go! Libraries Australia Day----This would be a national holiday for all library workers because libraries mean alot to Australia.
Submitted by Olivia Hutley, aged 7, ACT
Staff to record their thoughts on their favourite author, subject, book etc and collate them into one audio format ie tape to send out to new and existing library clients as a readers advisory initiative.
Submitted by Clare Bilton-Roos, VIC
The idea is to encourage staff to discuss books, authors etc. This can be done by creating a web blog which can then be used among the library staff to promote discussion.
Submitted by Rachel Johnson, VIC
Compile a recording of the first chapter of some of our newest and/or most popular titles and collate them into an audio format or Braille to send out to new and existing library clients as a readers advisory initiative.
Submitted by Melinda Reid, VIC
Putting out a call through the local paper and library newsletters and website to invite anybody that has ever invented something (even minor little things) to come to the library with the details and run a mini-inventors program over the week of LIW.
Submitted by Marita Albert, VIC

School Libraries

A Book lucky dip! Books will be placed in brown paper bags, sealed and with bright curling ribbon (with barcode no. on back).They will be placed in 4 lucky dip boxes I.E Boys senior primary, girls senior primary, Girls junior primary and boys junior primary. Juniors for ages 5 to 7 will be mainly picture books and 8 to 10 chapter and non-fiction. Each lucky dip will include a reading sticker and free bookmark to promote reading. I think this will be a good idea as kids love the surprise element of lucky dips and I know they will all want a go and make sure they bring their library bags that week. They must borrow 2 other books of their own choice to get a lucky dip pick. I am going to keep a selection of newly purchased books aside to use for this idea so they will get even more excited about the whole thing. The aim of this is to encourage more borrowers and to introduce them to resources they may not have looked at before as I find the very young readers repeatedly borrow the same books or go to the same shelf each time. This will introduce them to books they may otherwise have overlooked. I may keep it going longer than the week and as they are returned they will be placed back in a new brown bag, marked "Already read and enjoyed by Johnny" or whoever just on the very odd chance that they should redraw the same book. They must wait "till they are tucked up home cozily before opening their surprise parcel, just like waiting to open a present on Xmas day. Will this bring back the fun and excitement of book borrowing or what!
Submitted by Carmel Ryan, NT
We are having signs made with the slogan "connect @ your library" and so during LIW we will use the idea of "connecting" to literature, online sources, magazines etc to focus on an activity at lunchtime that will be fun and engaging for the students:--Mon - Literature - students create a blog about their favourite author or book----Tues - Magazines - online quiz that is based on an orienteering idea of finding info through the hard copy magazines----Weds - another online quiz that gets the students to use some of the online databases we subscribe to----Thurs - Excerpts from films will be shown and the students will discuss the common themes and comments on the films relationship to the book - which is the better? Can they identify how the film maker has used "creative license" to make the film?----Fri - Students will be provided with the hardware and ideas to create their own podcast about the theme "connect @ your library" - this will take more than 1 day and will therefore get the students to reflect on the theme and add content to the library side of the College intranet. These podcasts will then be available for all students at the school to access.
Submitted by June Wall, NSW
Conduct an 'open house' for each day of the week where the school community can see the school library in action:--Day one: Literacy promotion day, story telling, character parade, book reviews....--Day two: Information process at work. Students are engaged in research using information skills appropriate to their learning abilities. Group and individual inquiry based learning.....--Day three: Using ICT in the research process, integrating computer technology skills with information and literacy skills...--Day four: Web quests......--Day five: Library/cyber cafe day....come in and chill out, chart to the librarian about services they can provide.....make suggestions for future resource needs....possible book fair from local bookstore.
Submitted by Fiona Sannen, NSW
Construct a Graffiti board made from large sheets of butchers paper or the like in a prominent position around the school campus. Eg school foyer or assembly area. Ask staff, students and parents to write their favourite book title and/or web site. A variation to this idea: place the graffiti board up the week before LIW so during the LIW week the titles can be sourced and the websites flagged on the school website. This allows for some vetting of sites.
Submitted by Kim Fehervary, QLD
Make some bright paper chains (like the Christmas ones) and link to the various parts of the library. Add posters of authors and staff in the chain.
Submitted by Sandra Amoore, QLD
Inviting families to a Relatives Read day, using a variety of library books to share between the generations
Submitted by Louise Couper, QLD
We are having a B. B. Q! A book barbeque quest. The upper school children ( My Monitors)will be guiding the younger children around various activities in the library and then we'll all have a lunch BBQ.--Sounds all great in the planning!!
Submitted by Alison van ZIjl, QLD
Get connected @your library
Submitted by Suzanne Pearse, WA

Special Libraries

Organise a bus tour (for librarians or public groups such as Probus)of a selection of unusual special libraries. Many people don't realise that so many organisations have their own libraries. This would promote the Library Week and individual libraries. Launch a Resource. Many special libraries have patrons who write reports/articles/books link the recent publication of items to Library and Information Week and organise a Launch in the Library. This will attract your clients, and help the patron promote her publication.
Submitted by Jane Shelling, ACT
A good idea for our research library would be to provide lists of related resources available through the library as part of the many exhibitions we hold here at the National Gallery of Australia, so that we can extend our level of patronage amongst art researchers who visit the gallery.

Submitted by John Shea
Organise a display case with a number of 'information' formats (Book, CD, disk...) scattered with 'hundreds and hundreds' of pins and include 5 (or other number) of NEEDLES, strategically around the display so they are 'noticeable'. FINDING INFORMATION CAN BE LIKE TRYING TO FIND A NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK and ask "How many needles in the display case?". At the end of the competition, it is simple to explain that is 'our' role to sift the question to seek out 'exactly' what is wanted and to find the 'right' answer. A suitable prize (bottle of bubbles/red wine?) for the winner who realised the difference between 'pins' and 'needles', It is an easy way to promote the Library and get people involved to come in and 'check out' what the competition is about and fairly simple to do (can do up the 'display case' geared towards 'your' organisation).
Submitted by Trevor Wakely, VIC
To implement monthly or bi-monthly advanced research training courses to Fairfax journalists (i.e. our clients)and run by our librarians, similar to the way our in-house IT/Microsoft training sessions are run. ----These sessions could be held in the boardroom, so it's convenient and accessible for journalists to get to them. Ask for RSVP's if they want to attend, and send them email reminders prior to the course running. Training could include : Advanced FDC (Fairfax Digital Collections, our internal database, as well as external database sources (eg Britannica, World Book, IBISWorld, DatAnalysis).----Another idea is to offer training outside our head office premises: the concept of "roving librarians" travelling to all community mastheads that have FDC, in order to deliver training. For instance, Port Stephens Examiner, Illawarra Mercury, and other Fairfax Community Newspaper mastheads etc. Both these ideas would market and promote our library services and facilities to our library clients (primarily journalists) at the same time.
Submitted by Nora Martin, NSW
A newspaper article about some of the more quirky collection materials some special libraries hold. (e.g. we have stubby holders, graphic pamphlets, playing cards, drinks measures)
Submitted by Vania Juchniewicz, ACT
We've got just what YOU need!-- - Find hidden Gems of information to finish that report/assignment/project-- - Just ask @ your library (follows on from previous campaign)
Submitted by Jennifer McAuliffe, WA

TAFE Libraries

We are going to have a "knowledge cafe" during library week. We will be gathering some experts in Library 2.0 (and web 2.0 technologies) and hosting a conversation about them. We will be inviting all college staff to attend and having food and drink (during lunch time) to encourage them to come. We are hoping that we will show that library staff have the knowledge and expertise to help teaching staff adapt to the new technologies; we are hoping to help increase the number of college staff using these new technologies and we are hoping that we can then use this as a launch of having a knowledge cafe once every semester (x2 a year) to keep the library profile up in the college with new technologies. At the LIW cafe we will be launching the library blog and wiki.

Submitted by ShirleyAnn Summers, NSW
Library to send "care packages" to our small campuses that have no library on site. This will promote library services and generate goodwill. The care package will consist of biscuits, tea/coffee/sugar/hot chocolate sachets, Library brochure and library week material.
Submitted by Pam Menadue, SA
A Database Quiz Competition for our students, where students will only be able to find the answers by searching our subscription databases. 1st prize is an iPod, a prize sponsored by one of our database vendors. This competition will promote our databases to students and will hopefully result in encouraging them to access more regularly for their assignments.
Submitted by Cheryl Kung, QLD
launch new technology about podcasting as well highlighting other technology ie data projectors, powerpoint displays, digital cameras, movie maker demos etc
Submitted by Lisa Southon, SA

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