Public Relations Committee Minutes: September 7, 2000
Location: South Central Library System

Present: Brenda Haines (WLS), Barb Sanford (SCLS), Nancy Fletcher (WCFLS), and Linda Miller, Project Manager.

The meeting of the Wisconsin Public Library Consortium (WPLC) Public Relations Committee (PR) came to order at 9:45 a.m. Linda Miller, Project Manager, served as the facilitator. Introductions were made.

1. A general discussion was held on the project and e-books. Committee members shared their experiences and knowledge. Nancy Fletcher mentioned eBookNet.com as a resource she uses. Linda Miller will provide each of the committee members with instructions on subscribing to the WPLC list.

2. Committee Members: Committee members known to either have volunteered, or to have been volunteered, to date include Brenda Haines (WLS), Barb Sanford (SCLS), Nancy Fletcher (WCFLS), and Pat Boge (WRLS).

3. Committee Charge: The charge to the PR committee from the Steering Committee was read. The charge reads "The Public Relations Committee is charged with developing a coordinated public relations effort to promote services to the public and work with WiLS on developing the public relations campaign".

4. Roles and Responsibilities: The responsibilities of the Public Relations Committee, the partners, and WiLS were discussed and identified.

PR committee responsibilities were listed as: Develop concepts for materials to be produced by contracting PR providers Coordinate PR efforts among partners Collect, and maintain files of, copies of all PR materials developed or used during the project Develop materials for RocketBook services Investigate partnering with RocketBook for production of PR materials Determine if a separate web site is needed for the project

Partner responsibilities were listed as: Develop, or adapt, PR materials for the partner's target group Distribute PR materials to members and users Assign one person as a member of the WPLC PR committee or as a liaison to the committee

WiLS responsibilities will be discussed in a meeting with Kathy Schneider of WiLS. Linda Miller agreed to contact Kathy prior to the next PR committee meeting to request that a netLibrary PR packet be provided to each PR committee member, to request more details on PR services that WiLS proposes to provide, and to request information on any limitation in language that either RocketBook or netLibrary has relating to PR materials.

The committee also asked that two issues be forwarded to the WPLC Steering Committee for discussion at its next meeting. PR committee members want to 1) be sure that partners are willing to use local funds to produce materials that the PR committee may develop and 2) know if the partners have any strong feelings on the use of grant funds for PR for materials other than from netLibrary. Linda Miller will share these issues with the Steering Committee.

5. Coordination Tasks: The committee responsibility of coordinating PR activities was further developed to include the following possible activities: Design radio or TV spots Develop project logo or brand Schedule the timing of the release with project activities Develop press releases Develop tip sheet of PR strategies for partners Develop camera-ready materials Maintain communication with the Project Manager and the partners

6. Issues for Next Meeting: Issues to be discussed at the next meeting include: Review of netLibrary PR packets Review of RocketBook materials Review what partners have done for PR Review PR services to be provided by WiLS Establish timeline for activities Begin to develop concepts for PR items

7. Brenda Haines (WLS) agreed to serve as the Public Relations Committee Coordinator.

The next meeting of the Public Relations Committee is scheduled for September 21, 2000 at 1:30 p.m. at the SCLS offices.

The meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m.

Linda K. Miller
linda@lmatechwork.com
815-229-8215 voice
815-229-5362 fax