Medical Library Association | Public Policy : Press Room

4-11:Medical Information Day

4-11 Promotional Ideas

Change individual and general library voice mail greetings to begin with "Thank you for calling (your library name) where April 11 is Medical Information Day."
Invite your institution's staff to your library for an open house. The open house can be held all day long or during specific times. Offer refreshments, tours of the library, computer demonstrations, giveaways, scavenger hunts, raffles. Decorate the library with spring in mind by using floral designs and pastel colors. Purchase small, inexpensive flowering pots as giveaways for your patrons to use in their offices. Put a sticker or tag with "Celebrate 4-11: Medical Information Day" and your library contact information on the front of the flowerpot.
Host a surefire crowd-getter: a book fair. Invite patrons to a book fair in honor of "4-11." Give away duplicate and older editions of books the library no longer needs.
Have treats waiting for your patrons during your library's "fine free day" in honor of "4-11." This will invite patrons into the library and allow you to recover long-overdue books.
Create an attractively designed "Did you know�?" flyer about your library. Distribute the flyer throughout your institution or attach it to goodie bags filled with treats.
In your library's newsletter, focus a special issue on your library, staff, and the work that you do. Place copies in your library, clinic, waiting rooms, pharmacy, or a public area glass display case. Direct the public to the library for more information.
If your library does not have its own newsletter or pamphlet, create your own one-page, double-sided newsletter or pamphlet to distribute throughout your institution. Do not forget to include your contact information.
Distribute a flyer with Internet search tips. You could also include a list of Websites that may be of interest to patients or the general public (i.e., PubMed). As always, direct users to your library for more information.
Conduct a tour and then a continental breakfast or lunchtime reception in your library. Invite administrators and others to stop by for coffee. Talk to them about the services you provide and about their information needs.
Invite your university or hospital�s public relations department to your upcoming "4-11 event." Let them know that there will be many photo opportunities for their publications.
Write a short article about the library and its staff. Mention your services and the help you provide to the community. Send the information and any photos of your library staff at work to your institution's public relations office or to your local newspaper's features editor.
Create a display titled, "Who's Behind the Desk?," with photos and interesting facts about the staff. This will allow patrons to get to know the library staff and feel more at ease when visiting the library.
Continually remind your audiences of your library by creating something they will use repeatedly like a bookmark or a brochure listing your library's services, location, and hours. (Don't forget to use the 4-11 logo provided.) List helpful Websites or tips on searching for information on your brochure or bookmark. Also, use the items to promote 4-11 or any of your library's upcoming special events.
Place a "Suggestions and Comments" bulletin board with sticky notes or paper and pins in high traffic areas in your institution or library. Invite library patrons to offer their advice or suggestions for improving the library.