Build Your Brand, Build Your Community

Building your brand isn’t simply about flyers and logos. It's about embedding your library’s story into every corner of your community. Learn how you can build your library’s brand to increase loyalty and connection with your customers through simple yet impactful ways. Presenters will share how varying departments can unite to support staff across the system in building the library’s brand, such as building eye-catching displays, issuing a one-question customer satisfaction survey, and developing and implementing a simple style guide for all to embrace. Outcomes will be shared--you’ll be surprised to see the impact!

 

Learning Outcomes: 

At the end of the webinar, attendees will be able to:

• Empower themselves and others to embrace and carry out the library’s brand;
• Craft their own visual merchandising procedures and story of the month initiative; and
• Effectively measure the impact of their library's brand in their communities.

Who Should Attend: Public library staff, anyone from customer-facing to specialized department managers. While this is geared toward public libraries, these topics are also relevant and applicable to school or university libraries.

 

Presenters:

Kelly Sitzman is an award-winning Director of Communications & Employee Development for Pioneer Library System in Norman, Oklahoma. She oversees brand strategy and professional development for PLS’s three-county system. Kelly graduated with a BA in English, Writing, Communications, and Global Studies from Drury University and graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2015 with an MLIS in Library and Information Studies. Kelly was named a PRNews Agency Innovator for her transformative service to the library profession. She was named a Journal Record Achiever Under 40, recognized as OLA's Outstanding New Librarian, and awarded "NEXT Under 40" by the Norman NEXT young professionals group. She is a graduate of the American Library Association (ALA) Leadership Institute, Oklahoma Library Association (OLA) Gold Leadership Institute, and civic leadership programs. She served as the ALA Chapter Councilor for the Oklahoma Library Association and chaired Norman NEXT, the city’s young professionals group, in 2023.

Alisa Green is a Learning and Development professional dedicated to fostering growth and professional development within the Pioneer Library System. Passionate about creating engaging and impactful learning experiences, Alisa designs and facilitates training programs for staff, focusing on areas such as customer service, leadership at all levels, and personal and professional growth. Alisa is deeply committed to empowering all staff to best serve the needs of the communities with Pioneer Library System’s service area.

Leanne Cheek is the Readers’ Service Coordinator for the Pioneer Library System, managing collection development for the three-county system. She earned her Master of Library and Information Studies in 2009 from the University of Oklahoma. Leanne has served as the chair for the Oklahoma Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Committee for 3 years, graduated from the OLA GOLD Leadership Institute and the MPLA Leadership Institute, and teaches Oklahoma Department of Libraries Certification Classes. Leanne is currently serving as ALA Chapter Councilor, on the ALA Coalition Building committee, the OU SLIS Alumni Advisory Board, and is the chair-elect for the OLA Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Intellectual Freedom committee. Leanne has held multiple positions in the library world and is constantly looking for ways to advance her profession by advocating and supporting library associations.

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