Geek the Library, OCLC's community awareness campaign designed to highlight the value of public libraries, has received $1,924,883 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to extend participation in the programme to 1,000 additional libraries through June 2015. The funding allows increased emphasis on library staff planning and implementation of the program, and will help staff build on the knowledge and skills they need to be effective advocates for libraries in their communities.
A recent survey of public libraries implementing the Geek the Library campaign in local communities indicated a positive connection between the campaign and improved public perceptions of the library. The study also showed improvements in library staff advocacy- and marketing-related competencies. This final phase of the programme will build on these findings by introducing enhanced support for participating libraries, and a focus on building library staff confidence and skills with advocacy, marketing and communications.
Public libraries that implement the Geek the Library campaign will continue to receive free field support, a variety of printed materials and access to extensive online resources, including templates for localising campaign content easily. Posters that feature local community members have become a trademark of almost every campaign. The posters are an effective way to involve community members as they learn about the value of the library and the need for funding.
Geek the Library has a national campaign presence with its website, geekthelibrary.org, and social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Flickr. Geek the Library was developed based on results of OCLC's research published in From Awareness to Funding: A study of library support in America. The research and pilot campaign were also funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The programme will accept new participants through June 2014.
