12/13/04 OLC Plans LGF Media & Public Relations Training (January 6, 2005)
Over the past months, the Ohio Library Council has been working closely with the County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO) on a cooperative lobbying effort to maintain the local government funds in the next biennium budget. The next step in this endeavor will be a cooperative effort between local government entities in working with the media. The OLC has taken on this responsibility, just as the CCAO took on the responsibility of coordinating legislative meetings with local officials and state legislators. Library directors and library communications staff across the state will be asked to coordinate media efforts on behalf of all local government organizations.
Effective media and public relations will be critical in the efforts to preserve the Library and Local Government Support Fund. The OLC is offering library directors, communications staff, and trustees the opportunity to participate in an important training program in which we will discuss the messages as well as the methods for communicating the value of public libraries and local government entities throughout Ohio.
Wayne Hill of Edward Howard & Co., the public relations consulting firm that has worked with the OLC in the past, will conduct two half-day training sessions. The sessions will be held at Kent State University and broadcast via video to nine interactive sites throughout the state:
- Bowling Green – NORWELD
- Caldwell – Southeast Ohio Library Center
- Cincinnati – Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County (main)
- Cleveland – Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma (hosted by CAMLS)
- Columbus – State Library of Ohio
- Franklin – Franklin Public Library
- Toledo – Public Library of Toledo & Lucas County (main)
- Wellston – OVAL
- Warren – NOLA
The morning session (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) will focus on media relations, especially efforts to obtain the support of newspaper editorial boards. In addition, we'll look at ways to build on existing relationships with local media, communicate key messages, and generate positive visibility for libraries.
The afternoon session (1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.) will provide an overview of some important programming and communication initiatives to reinforce the image of libraries as a place that serves families in many different ways.
The broadcast of the training sessions will also be converted to streaming video for online access following the January 6 event.
Attendance will be limited to three representatives per library. A nominal fee will be charged for lunch for those attending both sessions.
To register, go to: http://www.olc.org/pdf/LGFMediaPRTrainingRegistration.pdf. The form can be completed electronically as a Word document, saved on your PC, and returned as an e-mail attachment to jrazon@olc.org. It also can be downloaded, completed, and faxed to the OLC at (614) 416-2270. Registration deadline is December 31 . If you have any questions, please call (614) 416-2258.
