2004 @ your library

The 2004 @ your library marketing campaign has seen the joining together of libraries from various sectors across WA. In an alliance that has been made to promote the role of libraries today, the campaign brings together the State Library of WA, all University libraries, TAFE and school libraries and almost all public libraries throughout the state.

The main objectives of the campaign are to increase awareness about the vibrancy, vitality and real value of today's libraries, to galvanise public support and encourage everyone to see libraries and the information they contain as providing the essential building blocks to a better future.

With the aim of involving the whole community in accessing libraries and to showcase the expertise of library staff a number of mini campaigns are planned throughout the year. The current campaign - just ask @ your library - has seen librarians throughout the state take part in 'Stump the Librarian' sessions on air, on-line and in person. Bizarre, outrageous and obscure questions were asked of our dedicated professionals who used an amazing bank of knowledge and tools of the trade to supply the correct answers.

David Howard, senior librarian, Curtin University and Michelle Ledger, manager library services for the Town of Cambridge took part in Mix 94.5's 'Ask us anything day', a monthly segment which invites listeners to send in weird and wonderful questions. This dazzling duo not only managed to track down the answers to questions such as: what is a shilleghy? and how do animals get blood transfusions? but also made the point that libraries are no longer quiet places and that they do have the ability to change lives. Fred Botica and Lisa Shaw, the show's hosts, reinforced this notion, reminding everyone of the importance of libraries. (Rumour has it that David and Michelle will be invited back again next month.)

Stay tuned as the 2004 @ your library campaign brings a renewed energy to the promotion of libraries and librarians and in turn positively impacts on library usage, funding and recruitment.

Hilary J Hatfield
Library consultant
State Library WA

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