THINK... Library Newsletter / Program Guide, Summer 2011

I was holding off to publish this entry until the distribution date of 1 July, but people can't wait to get their hands on this issue, so I'm posting it early. Librarians have been dropping by the design department to ask me when it is going to be available; patrons have been asking them when to expect it, eager to find out what's happening for summer. I've had my finger poised over the push buttons on my desk phone, itching to pester the printer about it myself! And for good reason: we've certainly got a lot going on, that's for sure!

If you can't get your hands on one of our 2,000 printed copies, you can conveniently view and download a .pdf version of it here, on our library website: http://www.aclib.us/about/blog/think-newsletter-and-summer-program-guide 

The Library website page where you can download the
current issue of THINK... newsletter / program guide.

This summer edition of THINK... revolves around the theme of technology and mobility. Our library is harnessing the power of newly created technologies to expand our services, be more convenient, and stay right at the tips of your fingers where ever you go, whenever you want us. As the website puts it: "Everybody seems to be on the go this time of year. Now you can take the Library with you!


The latest issue of the Library's THINK... newsletter includes information about our new mobile website app, which is available for any browser, visible via an Android and iPhone/iPad app. Our website also provide details about mobile apps from OverDrive (our downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks), MasterFILE (magazine articles from EBSCOhost), and World Book (encyclopedia). Handy QR codes provide another convenience for users of mobile devices. It's not just about digital devices. There's much more. Be sure to check out all the great summer events for kids and teens, and other special summer programming."

The design work for this publication began in May and went to the printer in mid-June. Besides my part in developing the creative and production-end of the 12-page document, it also takes the efforts of all our branch librarians to enter their events into our online calendar, plus authors who are in-the-know about the theme-supporting subjects to write informative brief articles about our services, in order to pull it all together. Everyone's timely contributions help to keep the project on schedule--and even ahead of it sometimes--as was the case for this issue. I was very impressed and relieved I didn't have to carry my big stick around with me to chase after everyone for their stuff. So my hat's off to them all for making this the smoothest production I've had yet on it!


Images for the newsletter came from a variety of sources ranging from already existing clip art, and newly created images of signs, to public domain photography and provided vendor marketing kit images, to even taking an in-house cell phone shot of another cell phone taking a picture of a computer screen. The typographic style remains consistent from issue-to-issue, as do most of the other design elements. The cover captured both the technology and travel themes by virtue first of the nameplate with the computer motherboard background, and then the large photo of the woman laying on the beach with her cell phone balanced on her ear as she relaxed. On the back cover, a "guy on-the-go" reinforced the idea that wherever you go, the library can go with you.


I've heard interesting statistics lately about how our "through-door" patronage had dropped slightly over the past year, but that it had been more than bolstered by the "virtual patronage" figures that made up for it considerably--evidence that library services are in just as much--if not more--demand than ever. A surprising revelation, considering that when I go out into our library public spaces, I more often than not witness that every single chair in our library is being sat on by somebody.