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Editorials
Library Journal
Whether designed to attract new customers, energize the community about new services, or generate publicity, library contests can be enjoyable and entertaining, as well as successful. Imhoff, executive director, Lexington Public Library (LPL), KY, and author of Making the Most of New Technology, and Maslin, outreach services community educator, LPL, researched the principles and practices of using contests in business and have nicely applied these tested concepts to the library world. In addition, they have designed this advice manual for staff at all levels, from novices learning how to plan, organize, and run contests to seasoned contest facilitators looking for fresh, new perspectives and upper-level administrators seeking practical discussions of the pros and cons of contests. Topics covered in nine chapters include selecting the contest planner and developing community partnerships; establishing contest goals and a budget; defining the contest type, audience, and theme; determining contest eligibility criteria and rules; scheduling the contest; selecting the prize; choosing judges and setting judge criteria; promoting the contest; and evaluating the event's success. The summary chapter presents four model contests. The pragmatic, succinctly organized information is supplemented by numerous illustrations and examples, and while this solid tool will be useful in university libraries, the emphasis is directed to public librarians interested in drumming up new business and new customers.
—Dale Farris
School Library Journal
On the surface, contests may appear straightforward, but those that are successful take great amounts of behind-the-scenes work. This comprehensive book covers planning, implementing, and evaluating contests of all kinds, for all kinds of libraries. It addresses setting budgets and schedules, choosing prizes and judges, establishing rules, promoting the contest, and evaluating it once it is over. The final chapter details four tried-and-true programs various libraries have held: an Earth Day coloring contest for children; a "One Book, One City" essay competition for high schoolers; and two challenges for all ages-"Guess the Number of Bricks in the New Building" and "Create a Clothing Accessory from Duct Tape." The text is detailed, and readers are sure to have many "aha!" moments because they won't necessarily have thought of particular details. The authors, a library director and an outreach coordinator, cover potential negatives as well as positives in plain language. There is good advice here for assistant directors, public-relations departments, or any other staff who may get asked to create and run a contest. The illustrations are informative, but their layout is frustrating as they can be several pages away from the text they reference, which makes for much page flipping. But this is a minor quibble about an otherwise thorough book.-Geri Diorio, The Ridgefield Library, CT
Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information