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Need input on Libraryseeds

Started by Col Barrett, June 16, 2011, 01:20:24 PM

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Col Barrett

Fellow Appleseeders,

Can I please get some feedback from yall as to who is leading the efforts on Libraryseeds in your state?

I have already done a couple of these and have found they are rather simple and not extremely time demanding. The event itself is typically no more than an hour and a half to share the three strikes, a power liberty benediction and a pitch for Appleseed. As for advertising for the event, you can download the cool 3 strikes poster here: http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=2077.msg174789#msg174789 , or request some copies be added to your shoot boss's shoot box at the next shoot. These can be posted at a minimum on the bulletin board at the library, over water fountains or maybe beside the door of the meeting room.

In addition to the posters, see if the library has a newsletter that our event can be added to. Try and have a second event in place so that you can tell your audience if they appreciated the message and thought others should hear it, then they should bring someone next month on x date. Also, a small ad can be run in local papers announcing the event, try and have this done at least once two weeks before, if not 2-3 times if the paper will allow. A sample of the press release can be found here: http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=2077.msg22285#msg22285 Remember, most newspapers need something to fill their pages so it doesn't look empty and the nonprofit angle is a good way to get in the paper for free. Don't forget to invite the librarians, their families, home school groups and your neighbors!

Once you invest the hours of getting templates together and contacts at the local newspapers then this becomes pretty easy stuff. I don't think it is out of the question that each member could share the story AT LEAST once a month at one library, if not once at two libraries a month. This will exponentially increase our exposure and get more people to hear the real story behind our program.

Please let me know who in your state has already made efforts or plans to on this front and what they have found does/does not work. I would like to collect info on this and see what kind of difference this makes in our program.

Remember, these can spin off from the libraries and requests may come to speak at senior living centers, church groups, home school groups, tea party meetings etc.

Please post here or PM me with any questions.

Chrome

I've been wanting to put together a Libraryseed here in Morgantown, but due to other issues, I've not been able to.  A local radio station will announce events put on by non-profits for free (might check in other locales for this as well) so the message can get out there.  It's just a matter of being able to free up a weekend date, which has been very hard to do lately.

Mountaineer was also interested in helping put these on, but he is away for a few months and as such, unable to help.

I can't speak for anyone else in the Southern part of the state, but I'm sure someone will pipe up sooner or later.

Later,
Chrome...
Montani Semper Liberi

Col Barrett

Thanks Chrome.

That is great to hear about the free advertising. I hope others will take advantage of it, I will remind the instructors who let me know they are trying a LS in their state.

Not sure if it was a typo on your behalf, but I think most people were trying the Libraryseeds on a weekday night, not the weekend. Of course they are welcome any day of the week, but weekdays would prevent them from conflicting with Appleseeds. Thanks for the follow up, let me know if you make on happen in Morgantown!

Chrome

No, not a typo.  I work shift work at a hospital, so weeknights off are very rare.  Hopefully soon thing will change and I'll be back to a normal schedule and really be able to put my shoulder to the wheel.

Later,
Chrome...
Montani Semper Liberi

Mark Davis

I have been invited to tell the story at a senior livivng center, by an activities director who came to an appleseed, she never fired a shot but heard the powder raids story and first strike before she left.
Also told the story at the gun club meeting, the attendees of which are all so wound up in their special shooting events that they have no time to attend an appleseed.
I am having a real hard time with the libaray, because it has a "no concealed carry" sign at the door.
I my eyes the place is a killing ground for the ignorant.
There are other sources of reading material.