October 2024

The Library Effect

Fall Marketing Campaign 2024 

This year's fall marketing campaign focuses on collecting stories. To engage children, we've included a scavenger hunt component, similar to last year. Download the Library Effect Guide for Libraries here.

Objectives

  • Collect meaningful stories to advocate for and promote your library.
  • Attract new patrons.
  • Engage current patrons.

Promotional Blurb: 

The Library Effect - Storytelling Contest
Celebrate Canadian Library Month by joining The Library Effect. Inspired by the butterfly effect, this campaign emphasizes how small actions, like using the library, can create a ripple effect leading to larger positive changes.

Libraries are catalysts for moments, memories, and milestones that transform lives. Whether through discovering a new favorite book, gaining support from programs, or making connections—these experiences enrich lives, families, and communities.

Share your story of how the library has impacted your life and/or community for a chance to win one of seven $500 VISA gift cards!

Visit the Library Effect Storytelling Contest web page for more information.

Theme: Libraries Change Lives
Duration: October 1 - 31, 2024
Location: Your local library
Submission Deadline: October 31, 9:00 PM
Prizes: Seven $500 Visa Gift Cards

Guidelines

  • Stories must be true and based on real experiences, not fictional.
  • A panel of HQ staff will review entries.
  • Prizes will be awarded to the most compelling stories that align with judging criteria. View Judging Criteria here.

Library Effect Toolkit

Download Campaign Materials Here.

Methods of Entry

1. Print Materials                                                                                                          

Written submissions - Patrons can pick up print materials at their local library or download one below. *Children may use the storytelling worksheet.  

Storytelling Worksheet - worksheet with optional writing prompts. 
Children’s Activity Guide– Short questions and a scavenger hunt.

Patrons can return the completed worksheets to library staff.  * Please send entries back to PLS in your bins every week. 

2. Art Submissions                                                                                                       
Patrons can submit art to library staff. Ensure they fill out the Story Submission Attachment to capture their contact information and permission to share their story. Please ensure they attach a description of the experience their art depicts. 

Please ensure they include a description of the experience their art depicts. They may use a Storytelling Worksheet if they have not prepared one. If they use a Storytelling Worksheet they do not need to fill out a Story Submission Attachment.

3. Virtual Submissions                                                                                                             
Can be made through the Online Storytelling Portal. Patrons can submit stories online in text, audio, or video formats. These submissions come directly to Peace Library System. 

4. SMS Text:
Direct patrons to the Online Storytelling Portal. After entering their contact information, they will receive a phone number to text. These submissions come directly to Peace Library System. 

5. Instant Messaging:
Patrons can Direct Message PLS on Facebook @PeaceLibrarySystem. These submissions come directly to Peace Library System. 

Scavenger Hunt Details 

The scavenger hunt is built into the Children’s Activity Guide.

How to participate:
Peace Library System will send 10 laminated butterflies for your library to hang up for October. Each butterfly has a name. The goal is for children to find and record the names of all the butterflies.

Timeline

Throughout September: Promote the contest using promotional items provided by PLS.

Prior to opening on October 1: Hide the butterflies and start handing out the Children’s Activity Guides.

Throughout October: Send submissions to Peace Library System every week (except for mail-only libraries).

October 31: Take down the butterflies at the end of the day and send all remaining entries to PLS.

November 15: Winners announced. PLS will contact the home library of each winner.

Notes:

  • Children can enter using any method they prefer. If they want to tell a freestyle story, they may use the adult form. 
  • Completing the scavenger hunt is optional, but submitting a story is not. Kids must answer the questions in the Children's Activity Guide (or an alternate method) to be entered in the contest.

Ideas to Build Buzz

  • Share contest details with schools at the start of the school year.
  • Invite classes to tour the library and provide entry forms.
  • Encourage local celebrities or library advocates to submit stories to promote the contest.
  • Promote the contest in library newsletters, posters, and social media.
  • Promote the contest during other library programs.
  • Invite after-school groups to participate.
  • Encourage regular patrons and program participants to enter. Offer assistance where possible.

Staff Contest

A. Staff / Board Stories
Who understands the transformative power of libraries better than the staff? We want to hear your inspiring stories. Whether it’s about a memorable experience, a patron who inspires you, or a lesson you’ve learned, share your story to inspire fellow library staff.  

If you need inspiration, check out these Staff/Board Writing Prompts. They are meant to help guide your story, but feel free to share any experience that resonates with you. 

Library Staff: Click here to enter

Board Members: Click here to enter 

Prize: $100 VISA GIFT CARD

B. Patron Collaboration

We know there are patrons who sing the library’s praises. Some might be eager to share their story, while others may need a little help. You can assist them by transcribing, recording, or editing their story as needed. Just be sure to obtain their consent—and if they’re under 18, get consent from a parent or guardian. Ensure they sign the Story Submission Attachment as proof of consent.

  • When submitting, please indicate if the story was a collaboration between staff and a patron.
  • The patron’s story will be entered into the general contest and library staff will be entered into the staff collaboration contest.
  • Libraries can submit multiple collaborations for multiple entries.
  •  The library that collaborates on the most compelling story that aligns with judging criteria wins the prize.

Prize: $100 Tim Horton’s Gift Card

Questions? Contact Jill at jkergan@peacelibrarysystem.ab.ca