Ideas for Celebrating at Your Library

Ideas for Celebrating Library History and WLA’s 125th at Your Library
 
Library Website.  Create a special page on the library’s website for all library history related information. Label the page “History” and place it under the “About” menu heading.
  1. Develop a timeline of your library’s history.  
  2. Write a brief history of your library.  Include photographs and other visual materials.   (Revise, update a previously written history.)
  3. Use or adapt the WLA 125th anniversary logo
  4. Provide a link to the WLA 125th anniversary webpage.
Social media.  Establish an anniversary blog/social media site and seek stories from people in the community about the library’s past and their involvement with the library.
Programs and activities.  Conduct a variety of events and programs throughout the anniversary year.  
  1. Organize a monthly book club around historical themes that will meet throughout the anniversary year.
  2. Develop an exhibit of historical artefacts related to the library or to the community. Use old library photos. 
  3. Organize an art exhibit to be displayed in the library and/or throughout the community.
  4. Host a foundation fundraising event – murder mystery dinner with historic theme; silent auction.
  5. Host an Instagram photo contest, with submissions featuring some aspect of the library building.
  6. Create a time capsule.
Advocacy/public relations.  Promote the ongoing value of libraries, especially to local elected and appointed officials. 
  1. Request ‘Library Love Letters’ (how the library has made a difference) from patrons and display in library and/or throughout the community.
  2. Designate one day as the date for the “birthday party” or key special event. Have an open house with tours. Invite dignitaries. Arrange for entertainment. Publicize the event. Prepare a printed event program.
  3. Work with the local post office to create a pictorial postmark related to the library’s anniversary.  Create a souvenir envelope to go with the postmark and include an insert with the history of the library.
For more ideas, consult the following online resources:
Promotion and Celebration Ideas for Friends Groups (United for Libraries, ALA)
 
Tips on celebrating anniversaries from Wisconsin Library Heritage Center
 
Wisconsin State Law Library.  Celebrating 175 Years of Service, 1836-2011