Originally published on The Desk Set, 28 April 2010

In any type of library, one of the easiest and most useful handouts you can create is a bookmark.

By far, the best print publicity I’ve created for the CDI is this bookmark. And we barely even work with books!

Why?

Our goal here was to have something that gives a vague idea of what we do (since our name doesn’t really describe it), but doesn’t get too specific, since I created this right when I started.

The  images chosen show that we put Special Collections materials online and it gives a “Vermonty” feel.  But it doesn’t really describe our resources or services, allowing us to be flexible in our outreach. So we’ll be able to use them for a while!

At your library, you should be able to meet a variety of outreach or public services needs by creating bookmarks, including:

• Promoting services and resources
• Directing traffic towards a website
• Contact info & hours

Where?

People seem to like them – we’re constantly refilling at:

• library public service points
• student center information desk
• campus coffee shops, etc.

And, since our site is public and our resources have broad appeal:

• non-UVM libraries
• spots around town, etc.

More importantly, I save my business cards for conferences, where people really need to know my full name, email and institution. Around here, I find it much more useful to hand out bookmarks when I’m doing a soft one-on-one pitch.

I think folks are more likely to visit our site as a result, and they can always find my contact information on there. We really want to direct traffic to the CDI, after all, not to my inbox.

How?

I created this file using Adobe Illustrator CS4, but you don’t need fancy design software.  Our smash hit ASK books marks (below) were created using Microsoft Publisher.

Thanks to cheap digital printing, we were able to get 2,500 full-color, one-sided 2 x 8 bookmarks printed with 14 pt. gloss coated cover with UV for $111.64, including ground shipping.

You can look locally, but we used a company based in California – after uploading our files online and proofing via email, they shipped the product to us. They look really professional.

Of course, the ASK bookmarks (below) were outsourced using a high-quality color copier and were printed on cardstock, and they look really great. A wonderful example of how low-budget technology can produce some high-quality products.

Bookmarks 2.0

Similar to Sarah’s post last week about involving her students in the creation of a video tutorial, University of Vermont librarians Selene Colburn and Daisy Benson got students involved in the production of these lovely ASK Campaign bookmarks.

To promote our Ask a Librarian services (phone, email, chat, and in-person reference), students have lined up to be UVM Libraries’ Top Models.  See more photos on Flickr.

There’s a UVM Facebook group (with tons of tagged photos, of course), table-top inserts in the cafeteria, and of course – bookmarks!