On 7/19/06, Penny L Clark <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > Dear Listserv: > My library has been closed since Hurricane Rita (September 2005). We are > anticipating re-opening in September 2006. We have been working off-site > since then and have been unable to provide reference service to patrons. > What I've wondered is how we can come back after so very long a time? Has > anyone been in a similar situation? > here are my thoughts. Assuming your question is "how do we let the public know we are re-opened?" 1. set a date for your grand re-opening. if you don't set a date then things will drag on. Work backwards from that date. what needs to be done the week before, two weeks before, 3 weeks. before 2. work with the local news media. have them run stories (print and TV) for weeks before the grand reopening to show what you have been doing for the last year. These stories can explain why it has taken so long. Get with you local talk radio program. have them do regular segments no more than 5-10 minutes once a week giving an update to the reopening project. 3. prepare special flyers and memorabilia. set up special displays especially before and after photos. have you been documenting the work for the past year with photos? if so display them. 4. make it a celebration. have a cake, balloons, a band whatever. have one of the big ol' balloons that fly high above the car dealerships along I-45 in Houston to attract attention. have a chili cookoff, or BBQ cookoff anything that will attract folks to the library. 5. have special shirts made up for the staff to wear during the week after reopening so patrons can identify the staff. sounds hokey, but it will work 6. contact local businesses to see if they will contribute items for drawings. ask them what they did for an opening or reopening. 7. Treat the whole thing as if you are re-opening a business and you want to get your customers back good luck -- Peter Kurilecz CRM CA Richmond, Va A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List sponsored by the Society of American Archivists, www.archivists.org. For the terms of participation, please refer to http://www.archivists.org/listservs/arch_listserv_terms.asp. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] In body of message: SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname *or*: UNSUB ARCHIVES To post a message, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html Problems? Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <[log in to unmask]>