News, Stories and More
Billboards in Delaware
If you are spending time in Delaware in May, keep an eye out for Geek the Library billboards. The Delaware Division of Libraries is sponsoring various campaign billboards in New Castle, Sussex and Kent Counties through the end of the month.
Take a look at more examples of Geek the Library billboards on Flickr!
May 03, 2012
Images from Participating Libraries
Are you curious how Geek the Library looks at the local level? Take a look at our Flickr group page where many participating libraries regularly post images from their local campaigns!
September 12, 2011
lisageeksbacon
The best part of raising pigs? Bacon. I borrowed Storey's Guide to Raising Pigs from my local public library three years ago, and my freezers have been full of bacon, sausage, chops and hams ever since.
November 27, 2010
Geek the Library on Parade
Zion-Benton Public Library, a Geek the Library pilot library, developed a float and recently took part in the Winthrop Harbor Memorial Day Parade in Illinois. Seven enthusiastic library staff members participated and all wore Geek the Library t-shirts.
Geek the Library is a community-based awareness campaign that engages the public in all kinds of ways—especially through local events. If you are interested in the campaign, but your local library isn’t currently involved, please join other library supporters on our Facebook page to discuss Geek the Library and public library funding.
June 08, 2010
Geekmobile in Indiana
The streets of Shelbyville, Indiana, will never be the same! Shelbyville-Shelby County Public Library recently revamped the library’s bookmobile with a Geek the Library theme. In addition to being a moving billboard for the awareness campaign, said Laura Guenin, the library’s public relations manager, the design also makes it approachable for all age groups.
May 11, 2010
School Librarians Get into the Act
Geek the Library is designed to build awareness about the immense value of public libraries and the critical funding needs many face. It is about inviting the community to be part of the campaign, so the public can spread the word and continue to heighten awareness. And while we were confident that Geek the Library could add value outside of the library, we have been amazed by the interest and the level of support within our pilot communities and around the country. One fantastic example comes from New Jersey, a state struggling with significant public library budget cuts.
Amy King, a teacher librarian with Medford Township Schools in Burlington County New Jersey, saw a mention of Geek the Library on a tweet by Buffy Hamilton, another school librarian supporter in Georgia. She immediately saw an opportunity and hatched a plan to use the concept to encourage interest in the school library at Milton H. Allen Elementary.
“I wanted a hook to bring people into the library,” says King. “I needed something that would work for all of our patrons, not only students, but also staff and parents. The ‘geek’ part was the answer. Everyone has something that they are passionate about. If we could show that the libraries had resources to fuel that passion, then we would ‘hook’ them!”
King worked to gain the support of school staff by handing out geek-themed goody bags at the beginning of the year and using geekthelibrary.org to explain the ‘geek’ theme at the first faculty meeting. Staff embraced it and enthusiastically shared what they geeked to help encourage students to do the same. The resulting digital slideshow was displayed on the school’s Web site and, eventually, on a stand-alone Geek the Library Web site created by King.
For students, the first few weeks were spent defining geek, viewing what their teachers’ geeked and creating geek signs to decorate the library, said King, who was often seen wearing an ‘I geek MHA’ t-shirt. Throughout the rest of the year, the theme was used as a starting point for many lessons, and integrated into other events and activities. The kids loved it and, according to King, it encouraged interest in the library and served as inspiration for them to learn more about what they geek.
“Our goal was to promote the wonderful learning experiences and resources our library has to offer. With the Geek the Library awareness campaign, we had common language surrounding the library for the parents, staff and students. And we wanted a strong visual that would capture people’s attention and draw them to the library.”
April 19, 2010
New Geek the Library Ads
In the coming weeks, Geek the Library will publish a series of redesigned print advertisements in select areas of Georgia and Iowa. You probably recognize the images, but the text is fresh—with a direct focus on building awareness about public library funding.
February 24, 2010
We Geek the Bus in Wisconsin
There have been print advertisements, TV commercials, walking billboards and the list goes on; but this is a first. Thanks to the Milwaukee Public Library in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, you can find Geek the Library in many Milwaukee bus shelters this month!
February 17, 2010
Localizing Geek the Library in Iowa
Kirkendall Public Library in Ankeny, Iowa, is localizing the awareness campaign with Geek the Library posters featuring patrons! Take a look.
December 08, 2009
Talented Iowa Teens Geek Anime
We geek anime! And so do some very talented teens at Central Library, a branch of Des Moines Public Library in Des Moines, Iowa. The teens, along with Brenda Hall, a teen specialist, created an entire 'zine' with anime characters and what they geek. See more!
December 04, 2009
Savannah Children’s Book Festival
If you were in Savannah, Georgia, on November 14, 2009, you may have seen us at the annual Savannah Children’s Book Festival. Forsyth Park was filled with booths, activities and lots of happy children. Hundreds of people stopped by the Geek the Library kiosk and signed our Geek Wall. Thank you to Live Oak Public Libraries for letting us be part of the fun! See more photos.
November 13, 2009
Iowa Governor Geeks the Library
Look who is holding a Geek the Library t-shirt … public library supporter Iowa Governor Chet Culver!
November 11, 2009
Geek the Library Halloween
Thank you to all of our supporters who incorporated Geek the Library into their celebrations. Here are some examples:
November 04, 2009
Good Eats and Geek the Library
Geek the Library and the Des Moines Public Library, along with hundreds of hungry Iowans, braved unseasonably cool temperatures to do some tasting at the World Food Festival in Des Moines, Iowa. Even without any international fare, the Geek the Library booth saw plenty of action. The event was held on October 9 - 11, 2009.
October 14, 2009
Geek the Library at the Fair in Georgia
It’s fair week in Statesboro, Georgia, and Geek the Library has teamed up with the Statesboro Regional Library to join in on the fun. The library won second place for its ‘I geek agricultural history’ booth and has an onsite library available for all fair goers. The 48th Annual Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair runs through October 17, 2009.
October 13, 2009
Awareness Campaign Goes Local
Is that a Geek the Library poster I see? Part of the challenge for Geek the Library participating public libraries is to get the awareness campaign out into the community. One way is to partner with local businesses to hang up posters or give out awareness campaign materials. And, look, here we are in Sylvania, Georgia. Great job Screven County Library!
October 02, 2009
Geek the Library in Motion
One of our newest participating libraries, Shelbyville-Shelby County Public Library, recently created a walking geek board for a local homecoming parade. Participants eagerly signed the board along the parade route. We geek great ideas!
See more photos from our participating libraries.
September 29, 2009
Crazy Dave Geeks the Library
Here is Dan Wardell (AKA Crazy Dave), a well-known children’s public television and radio personality, during a visit to Kirkendall Public Library in Ankeny, Iowa. Joining him in this photo are Kelly Munter and Sherry Schlundt.
September 25, 2009
Geek the Library on the Road Again
If you live in central Iowa or southern Georgia, you've probably had the opportunity to see one of our Geek the Library billboards. They look great and are helping us spread the word about the campaign and public library funding. If you see one, tell friends to look out for it, and use it as a starting point for a conversation about the value of public libraries and the critical funding issues they face.
September 23, 2009
bakarigeeksphotoshop
I love Photoshop. As a graphic designer, it's my primary tool for making art, since I can't draw well by hand. Photoshop helps me create masterful pieces of art that people like and it gives me something to do in my spare time. Through the library, I can check out books on photography and artwork to gain inspiration.
September 14, 2009
Geek the Library on Parade
The Bondurant Community Library added Geek the Library’s ‘I geek superheroes’ banner to their float for the August 29, 2009 'Fables and Stables' parade in Altoona, Iowa. Library staff and volunteers dressed as characters from famous books, and they won second place for their efforts. “The parade was sponsored by Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino, which is managed by Polk County,” notes Library Director Karen Pederson. “Prairie Meadows has a long history of providing community grants to many organizations throughout Iowa, in fact, the Bondurant Community Library has received $28,000 from them in the last four years.”
September 09, 2009
Geek the Library Making an Impact
Part of our mission, once we complete our pilot awareness campaign, is to evaluate whether or not we’ve made an impact. And while we have months to go, we’re delighted to report that we already are! Stories from communities in and around our participating libraries, as well as across the country, are coming in about how libraries are adopting elements of the campaign.
One example comes from Creekview High School in Canton, Georgia. Buffy Hamilton, a tech-savvy high school librarian, has adopted the campaign with open arms. Hamilton wants to inspire her patrons—the students—to talk about what they geek, as well as take a new look at how the library can support them and their interests. In addition to creating and distributing custom ‘I geek’ stickers of the library’s brand, The Unquiet Library, she also wanted to recreate the Geek Wall experience. So, with black construction paper and silver markers, her library has taken on new life. Student upon student, she explains, continue to volunteer to showcase their passions in this simple, but significant way.
In addition to celebrating people’s passions, notes Hamilton, the campaign also provides a critical lesson about the value of all libraries and how each person plays a role in supporting them. But if the positive initial response to her efforts wasn’t telling, she says, she recently got full confirmation that the campaign’s personal approach works. “Some ninth-grade football players came in to see if they could take part. Football players! And they came to us.”
The display has been so successful, she says, plans are in the works to help students create custom photos, and perhaps, videos. Reminding the public just how relevant libraries still are and that they offer something for everyone, she continues, can have tremendous impact well beyond the walls of the library. “Geek the Library is a positive movement for all libraries. This kind of advocacy helps all of us.”
August 31, 2009
Participating Libraries Looking Good
Many of our participating public libraries—such as Bertha Bartlett Public Library in Story City, Iowa—are making a splash with large Geek the Library outdoor banners.
August 31, 2009
Unique Billboard in Iowa
You may have seen many of the Geek the Library billboards around southern Georgia and central Iowa. All of the billboards are based on the corresponding advertising campaign, but we decided to create something unique for the Iowa State Fair. And what says fair more than “food-on-a-stick?” The billboard is located at the intersection of University Avenue and Hubbell Avenue in Des Moines, and will remain up for the duration of the fair.
August 20, 2009
Geek the Library Goes Nuts
Geek the Library and Statesboro Regional Public Libraries joined peanut enthusiasts in and around Brooklet, Georgia for the annual Brooklet Peanut Festival on August 15, 2009. This popular festival, which includes a 5K run, a parade and a peanut or two, celebrated its 20th year. We geek peanuts. Take a look at photos from the event.
August 28, 2009
On the Road with Geek the Library
If you’ve been traveling in southern Georgia or central Iowa, you may have noticed Geek the Library infiltrating the roadways. Look for more Geek the Library billboards throughout the campaign.
July 15, 2009
Sweet Music for Geek the Library
Geek the Library joined thousands of central Iowans at the Yankee Doodle Pops event featuring the Des Moines Symphony on July 2, 2009. Event participants enjoyed a pleasant evening on the Des Moines state house grounds and learned more about this important pilot awareness campaign. See the photos.
July 08, 2009
Iowa Cubs Welcome Geek the Library
Iowa Cubs fans enjoyed a visit from the Geek the Library team and local library leaders on June 25, 2009. This festive evening at Principal Park in Des Moines gave central Iowans a chance to learn more about the awareness campaign, win free t-shirts and sign up for e-mail updates. Even Cubbie bear got his geek on with his “I geek baseball” t-shirt.
Successful Launch Event in Savannah, Georgia
The Geek the Library team along with many local library leaders—including Georgia State Librarian Dr. Lamar Veatch—and the Savannah community celebrated the greater Savannah launch of the awareness campaign on June 23. Participants signed the geek wall, enjoyed free food and discussed what they geek.
June 24, 2009
Get your geek on. Show your support. Geek the library.