Recruiting the Next Generation of Nebraska Librarians @ the movies

The Nebraska Library Commission Recruitment Public Service Announcement (PSA) has been getting some great reactions and we are excited about the prospects for launching a statewide marketing campaign this summer. Cindi Hickey reports that the “recruiting video (is) making the rounds in Kansas.” She continues, “You are getting rave reviews for the recruiting trailer in Kansas! Someone found it on YouTube (brilliant placement!) and is passing it around to everybody.” We hope the PSA sends the message that “library careers are cool, high tech, and service-oriented – an opportunity to make a difference in our communities.” The vision is to have the PSA shown in movie theatres across Nebraska. Since Hollywood has helped to foster many of the outmoded stereotypes and images of librarians, it is appropriate to use the PSA as one of the vehicles to deliver the antidote to these stereotypes. Companion pieces to the PSA will include a movie poster for the theatre lobby, a display with information about educational opportunities, and “movie tickets” to apply for scholarships for training in library skills. Some library staff and supporters have volunteered to contact the management of local movie theaters to ask them to donate screen time to show the PSA before movie showings and lobby space for poster and display. Ideally, the PSA would be shown in the summer before a movie that might attract a younger audience, specifically people of high school and college age. More volunteers are needed. Please comment (link below) to let us know what you think of the PSA (see it at www.nowhiringatyourlibrary.com) and be sure to volunteer to help us get free placement of the PSA in movie theatres this summer. Thanks, Mary Jo Ryan