Nevada Library Association

Nevada Library Association Handbook

Board of Trustees
Appointed Officers & Standing Committees

Publicity Committee

HISTORY
The Nevada Library Association has had a long-standing interest in the importance of public relations for libraries and the association. In 1956, there was a "radio tapes" committee, and the next year saw the formation of a public relations committee. In 1969, the office was changed from a committee chairmanship to a "publicity coordinator." In 1974, the officer became the "publicity director." In 1980, the publicity director was changed back to a committee and the duties of the National Library Week Committee were also made a part of the Publicity Committee's duties.

OFFICERS

Chair, Public Relations Committee
1956-57	Jean Whitehead
1957-58	Lydia Malcolm
1958-59	Dorothy Dalton
1959-60	Ruth Donovan
1960-61	Herbert Ueckert
1961-62
1962-63	Lydia Malcolm
1963-64	Thomas C. Harris
1964-65
1965-66	Mary Noyes

Publicity Coordinator
1968-71	Mary Noyes
1971-73	Thomas Hollis

Publicity Director/Chair
1974	Sheri Goeser
1975	Martha Gould, Washoe County Library
1976
1977	Christina Smith, Washoe County Library
1978	Virginia Mulloy, Clark County Library District
1979	Gary Davis, Blanch Zucker, Las Vegas
1980-81	Deborah Hunt, University of Nevada, Reno
1982	Beverly Carlino, Clark County Library District
1983	Dick Rhyno, Washoe County Library
1986	Sally Kinsey, Washoe County Library
1987	Bob Gray, White Pine County Library
1988	Valerie Andersen, Western Nevada Community College
1989-90	Leona Wright, Washoe County Library
1991	Richard Lee, Las Vegas-Clark County Library District
1992	Elizabeth Parang, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
1993	Kim Clanton-Green, Sahara West Library, Las Vegas
1994	Sara Jones, Elko County Library
1995	Gary Avent, Elko County Library
1996-97	Bonnie Buckley, Nevada State Library and Archives

Chair, National Library Week
1958	Ruby McLeod (Paul Leonard, State Chairman)
1959	Ruby McLeod (Al Cahlan, State Chairman)
1960	William E. Andrews (Perry Hayden, State Chairman)
1961	Ruby McLeod (Fred Shields, State Chairman)
1962	David Brunton
1963	David Brunton (Fred Shields, State Chairman)
1964	Thomas C. Harris
1965	Thomas C. Harris (Jack Gardner, State Chairman)
1966-67	Lydia Malcolm
1968	Billie Mae Polson (Liz Johnson, State Chairman)
1969-70	John Knightly
1971	Susan Anderl and Anne Knouft
1972	Robert Carroll
1973	Hailie Gunn (Carolyn O'Callaghan, Honorary Chair)
1974	Hailie Gunn
1975
1976	Nancy Cummings, Clark County Library District
1977	Corryn Crosby, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
1978	Brian Lewis, Clark County Library District
1979	Doug Henderson, Clark County Library District
1980	Deniston Kay, Sunrise Branch Library
1981	Deborah Hunt, Nevada State Library
1982	Beverly Carlino, Clark County Library District
1986	Sally Kinsey, Washoe County Library
1987	Mercedes Lostra, Elko County Library
1988-90	Joyce Betts, Churchill County Library
1991	Nancy French, Las Vegas-Clark County Library District
1992	Dorothy Neeley, Battle Mountain Junior High
1993	vacant
1994
1995
1996
1997	vacant
1998	Andrea Moore, Carson City Library
1999	Elaine Wing, Metro Jail Library
2005-2006	Luise Davis
2007-2009	John Crockett, Washoe County Library System
2010-present	Tam Anderson, Las Vegas-Clark County Library District

PURPOSE AND DUTIES
The publicity committee publicizes the policies, objectives, projects, and activities of the Nevada Library Association both within and outside of Nevada. In additions, the committee provides statewide coordination of public relations activities relating to National Library Week.

1. The publicity committee chairperson must have been a member of NLA for at least one year.

2. If possible, the publicity committee chairperson should be a person who resides in the same region as the president.

3. The publicity committee chair appoints a minimum of four members to his/her committee, one each from the Northeast, Northwest, and Southern districts, and one non-library-related member who has been a member of NLA for a least one year. One member of the committee should also be the person who is serving as publicity chairperson for the annual meeting. He/she appoints the Committee members by December 1 and reports the composition of the committee to the executive secretary.

4. The chairperson interprets the instructions of the board of trustees to the committee.

5. The chairperson supervises the work of the committee in fulfilling its responsibilities. The committee may meet or conduct its business by mail or telephone. (Close coordination is maintained to ensure that publicity activities planned are complementary and that the Association receives credit as appropriate.)

6. The publicity committee coordinates all media publicity with library directors in communities where such publicity is to be carried out and works closely with the National Library Week chair in doing the same.

7. The publicity chairperson works with the president, the board of trustees, and the library planning committee to plan publicity of the year related to the year's goals and theme.

8. The publicity chairperson consults with all NLA officers including the membership committee chairperson and the editor of the Nevada Libraries, State Library staff, and public relations staff of other libraries before the mid-winter meeting of the board of trustees to find out what activities are being planned, using the information to develop a calendar. This calendar is then presented to the board of trustees at its mid-winter meeting.

9. The publicity chairperson proceeds to keep in close contact with all NLA officers, so as to be able to publicize all NLA activities as appropriate.

10. The publicity chairperson submits the calendar to the Nevada Libraries for publication and prepares reports for each issue.

11. The publicity chairperson keeps in close touch with the State Librarian, State Library staff, and public relations staff of other libraries in order to coordinate PR activities.

12. The publicity chairperson periodically develops press releases on NLA activities for community and statewide organizations, and elected officials at all levels.

13. The publicity chairperson assists with the promotion of membership in NLA, particularly for non-library-related citizens.

14. The publicity chairperson submits press releases about NLA and other Nevada Library activities to regional and national library publications as well as the annual conference dates.

15. The publicity chairperson makes arrangements with the Library Development Division of the State Library to be sent copies of newspaper clippings on NLA activities.

16. The publicity chairperson maintains a public relations handbook.

17. The publicity chairperson identifies the date of National Library Week and then consults with his/her committee regarding the scope of activities for National Library Week.

18. Activities may include (but need not be limited to):

a. The preparation (or acquisition) and statewide distribution of printed materials such as posters and bookmarks;

b. The implementation of a special public relations campaign within each district featuring such activities as newspaper and media stories, special library programs, library tours, and many others;

c. The compilation and distribution to libraries statewide of suggested library activities related to the statewide theme. 19. Library public relations officers must also be contacted for suggestions and all activities should be coordinated with them.

20. A theme is chosen for the statewide campaign. This may be the one adopted by ALA, or any other deemed appropriate.

21. Materials may be purchased from national organizations or may be designed specifically for Nevada's campaign.

22. The publicity chairperson calls meetings of the committee or consults with committee members by mail or by phone as required.

23. The publicity chairperson and the members of the committee attend all NLA board of trustees meeting, the annual meeting, and all NLA related meetings within their districts.

24. In consultation with the committee, the publicity chairperson sponsors a program at the annual meeting on some aspect of public relations.

25. Before leaving office, the publicity chairperson writes letters of introduction to the editors of newspapers and other media people to announce the appointment of a new publicity chairperson.

26. The publicity chairperson also prepares a report on major activities being planned for the following year and passes this report on to his/her successor.

27. Other Projects:

a. A five-year plan for workshops, major publicity campaigns, and other activities;

b. Preparation of bibliographies on public relations for distribution or publication;

c. Assisting libraries or regions with specific public relations activities as requested;

d. Organization of speaker's bureaus on library matters.

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