See the current issue of NextSpace: The OCLC Newsletter for proof that a service orientation and innovative ideas have had "a ripple effect" on support for a small, rural school library.

• http://www.oclc.org/nextspace/002/advocacy.htm

How "user friendly" are our library websites? How many of our wonderful online resources are hidden behind multiple links and professional jargon? How many of our patrons even realize that we have online resources for them to use? This article raises these questions and suggests practical ways to make ourselves visible.

• "Making E Visible." Lesley Williams. Library Journal, June 15, 2006.

(You can pull up this article through LiLI in Academic OneFile.)

Has your library received an LSTA grant? The Oregon State Library has produced a handy 1-page list of "Tips to Help You 'Get the Word Out'". This sheet covers everything from ways to acknowledge the Institute of Museum and Library Services to providing a sample news release to inviting the IMLS Director to your library.

• http://www.oregon.gov/OSL/LD/LSTA/granteeforms/tipstohelp.htm

This week's advocacy tip comes from Sarah Kelly Chase at Boise Public Library: the Americans for Libraries Council has just released a study called "Long Overdue: A Fresh Look at Public and Leadership Attitudes about Libraries in the 21st Century". You can read this report at http://www.lff.org/long_overdue061306.html. Here are two quotes from the home page:

"An ALC-sponsored study, conducted by Public Agenda and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, shows that libraries are poised to lead the way to solutions to today's pressing community problems, including providing a safe and engaging place for teens; building a strong and literate workforce; and extending access to technology. Taking on such challenges is also the best bet for libraries to strengthen their communities and their own funding futures."

"Libraries cannot survive on accolades alone. If public libraries are to compete successfully for dwindling public dollars, they will need to look at opportunities to showcase and strengthen their role in addressing serious problems in their own communities."

We don't always have to look across the country to find good ideas. Have you looked at the Marketing page on the Idaho Commission for Libraries website lately? It is a great place to find brochures, bookmarks, information sheets, and other marketing materials related to four statewide outreach programs: Let's Talk About It, LiLI, Read to Me, and Talking Books.

• http://libraries.idaho.gov/marketing-resources

Not only is the number of Millennials growing, so is the number Senior Citizens. Stephen Abram, the Vice President of Innovation (how about THAT for a job title!) at SirsiDynix, provides a concise summary of the recent Census Bureau report, 65+ in the United States: 2005. Seniors are healthier, economically better off, and more computer savvy than ever before. "So libraries are bookended - Millennials to the right of us, Seniors to the left..." We'll need to do some innovative marketing to reach both of these groups, not to mention all the others in between.

• http://stephenslighthouse.sirsi.com/archives/2006/03/seniors_instead.html

It's time to revisit the Millennials:

Glenna Rhodes of Boise Public Library has put together a "cheat sheet" for us Baby Boomers with lists of characteristics and links to articles: "

• Digital Natives: The Millennial Generation"

A recent article in Architecture Week discusses the influence of millennials on library design:

• "From Books to Chips" http://www.architectureweek.com/2006/0419/tools_2-2.html

The Pew Internet & American Life Project (http://www.pewinternet.org) has produced a number of reports on the place of the internet in our society. Here is one from last summer that focuses on youth:

• "Teens and Technology: Youth are leading the transition to a fully wired and mobile nation" http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Teens_Tech_July2005web.pdf

Need some quick data about libraries that you can share easily? The ALA updated their wallet-size fold-out card of "Quotable Facts about America's Libraries" last year. The web page tells how to order printed copies and gives links to the PDF versions of both the card and bookmarks.

• http://www.ala.org/ala/issues/toolsandpub/quotablefacts/quotablefacts.htm

This week's installment is about finding partners, people and organizations your library can collaborate with to advertise your services, raise money, etc. Here are a few articles that illustrate different approaches:

• "Partners in Your Backyard." Holloway, Stephanie. American Libraries, May2006

• "Finding the Blood in the Turnip." Johnson, Britta; Jorgensen, Mary; Segre, Megan; Yankovich, Jenny. American Libraries, Mar2006

• "LIBRARIE$ + NONPROFIT$ = Add Up to Profitable COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP$." Puacz, Jeanne Holba. Computers in Libraries, Feb2005

• "Partners in Anticrime." Library Journal, 3/15/2005

(All of these articles are available through LiLI in Academic OneFile.)

Here are a couple of recent articles about the difference school librarians make in the lives of children:

• "Canadian School Libraries and Achievement Linked." American Libraries, May2006, Vol. 37 Issue 5, p25-26

• "Working Smarter: Being Strategic about Assessment and Accountability." Harada, Violet H.; Teacher Librarian, v33 n1 p8 Oct 2005

(Both of these articles are available through LiLI in Academic OneFile.)