The Metrowest Region applied for an LSTA Grant "It's Happening at Your Library" to develop marketing materials which member libraries could use to promote library services.  The Grant administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners was awarded in October, 2003.

An RFP was developed to hire a graphic designer to work with an Advisory Committee to produce materials in different formats which would be commercially printed and also made available on the Metrowest web site.

The Advisory Committee, Katie Baxter (Noble and Greenough School), Joan Craig (Morse Institute Library), Maryellen Loud (Robbins Library-Arlington), Stephanie St. Laurence (Tufts University--Tisch Library), Dorothy McQuillan (Newton South High School), and Richard Poisson (Mitre Corporation) and Metrowest staff members, Sunny Vandermark and Barbara Andrews reviewed the thirteen proposals and selected the design firm, McLaughlin Dodge Design.  

Principle designer Susan Dodge and her team attempted to meet the challenge of the Metrowest project: marketing library services to patrons of all types of libraries! Through discussions we recognized that there were common services available at every type of library: a knowledgeable staff, access to the Internet, interlibrary loan, library collections, online databases, and home access to databases.

The theme Your Library: A Resource for Life was selected for the marketing material. An "It's Happening at Your Library" logo to be used on all marketing material was designed. In addition, the ALA @ your library trademark was used to help promote ALA’s marketing campaign for awareness of libraries of all types.

Materials produced include four bookmarks for different library populations - "I played with dinosaurs today", "I aced my test today", "I researched company histories today", and "I got connected today".  The bookmarks contain information about home access to databases.  A flip book was also developed to emphasize the Your Library: A Resource for Life theme.  The flip book is divided into three sections to highlight "Reading for Life", "Your Center of Information", and "Accessible Technology."  Static clings with the "It's Happening at Your Library" logo were also designed. 

In addition to the bookmarks, flip books, and static clings, the web site also has three 8.5 x 11 documents which can be customized to highlight local library information and events.

Materials will be distributed to all member libraries and workshops to demonstrate how to customize the web accessible materials will be held in June and September.  

Libraries from the other regions will have access to the web materials.

This project is sponsored by the Metrowest Massachusetts Regional Library System and federally funded with LSTA funds through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.