Safranim, I found this message and this fill-in-the-blanks press release in the Hasafran archives - I originally posted it just after the 2005 convention. It is still valid today, and I hope that all those who attended convention will make use of it to draw attention to their own libraries. If you do get any media coverage, please let us know via Hasafran! By the way, I've been advised that summer (especially late summer) is a slow news time when papers might be especially receptive to running your article, so perhaps consider waiting until July to submit it.
Original Hasafran message, with some updates: Attending convention is not only beneficial personally and professionally, it is also a great way to draw attention to our own libraries! Your attendance at convention shows the professional attitude you take towards running your own library, and your community should be proud of that. For those of you who were in Scottsdale, consider sending a press release to your local papers (Jewish and secular press) and writing an article for your organization's newsletter. To make it easy for you, here is a generic fill-in-the-blanks press release about attending convention. Feel free to adapt and change it for your own use. If you have any great photos of yourself at convention, send that along too. And if you get in the papers, please share the news with the rest of us! Good luck, Heidi Estrin PR Committee -------------------- MEDIA RELEASE July, 2007 For immediate release For more information, contact: [your name and contact info] [YOUR ORGANIZATION] REPRESENTED AT NATIONAL CONVENTION [Your name], the librarian at [organization] has just returned from Scottsdale, Arizona, where the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) held its 42nd annual convention. This is the [number] year that the [city or region] librarian has participated in this professional conference, [(use this part if it's ever been in your area) which moves to a new city each year. The last time AJL met regionally was in [city] in [year].] "This event is such a wonderful opportunity for professional development," says [your name]. "I attended sessions on [fill in what you went to:] ___, ___, and ___. Presenters and fellow librarians from across the world shared so much useful knowledge that will ultimately benefit [your library's name]." (use this section if you volunteer for AJL or if you were a presenter:) [Your name] also shared his/her own expertise, presenting a session called [name of session]. "[Number] people attended the session and it was very well-received," says [your name]. She/he is also active on the [committee, board, whatever] of AJL, giving back to the organization that has been such a helpful resource for his/her own library. "We at [organization] are so proud of [your name] for his/her dedication to his/her profession [or if you prefer, "to the library"]" says [title/name of your boss]. "His/her volunteer participation in the Association of Jewish Libraries convention brings national prestige to [organization]'s library. [your library's name] is the richer for becoming a part of the Jewish library community." [Also, if your library is AJL-accredited, be sure to mention that.] For more information about the Association of Jewish Libraries, visit www.jewishlibraries.org [or contact the [region] Chapter at [phone/email].]
