In the Mail

Carolyn Muci, marketing/public relations, Mt. Prospect (IL) Public Library, writes:

"First, let me thank you for your generous compliment on our printed newsletter, Preview. I am responsible for the content of the newsletter and write most of the articles.

"Our printed newsletter is very popular and survey after survey shows that it is the number one way our patrons learn about the library's programs and services. Let me assure you that we currently do not have any plans to discontinue it. We have opted to stay with the black and white format, while other libraries are going to four-color glossy quarterly publications, so that we can maintain our bimonthly frequency.

"I am also responsible for approximately twice a month, depending on what is happening at the library or in town, one of the most clicked on links in our e-newsletter: Our Village Vibe blog which provides subscribers with a weekly listing of events taking place in our town and local area. Precisely because it is electronic, it gives us the ability to provide links directly to online information - a much easier way of getting some types of information to our users.

"In these changing times, patrons are now in charge of deciding how and where they want to get their information - and we want (need) to be in those various places."

Well, Carolyn, I'm glad to hear that you are not abandoning your printed newsletter; I'm convinced that the print editions of any library's newsletter have a greater readership by far than any e-newsletter. Of course, it's great to have both. I note that Boone County, KY, does that. Some libraries, either presumably wealthy or serving very small towns, have their newsletter delivered to every address in town. Nice if you can afford it.

Greta Southard, director of the Boone County (KY) Public Library (and former executive director of the Public Library Association), writes:

"Thanks for publishing a blurb from the Boone County Public Library (BCPL - the other BCPL) in the January edition of LAD.

"We've added QR (quick response) tags to our print pieces ... below is the link. We did this in December. I mentioned this in my December board report ... the board loved it and a few folks even tested it during the meeting. One of our board members followed up with my staff so they too could learn how to add QR tags to the communications from their business. So in our print newsletter you'll see QR tags associated to different articles.

"http://www.bcpl.org/media/pdf/ newsroom/201 0/nr-library-uses-qr-tags. pdf

"I hope all is well with you."

Oh, so those little boxes are QR tags! I've noticed them - the morning paper had a couple just this morning - but I've never known what they were until recently. Of course you have to have a phone with a camera and an Internet connection - mine has a camera but no Internet - but millions do, apparently and I guess are using QR tags all the time. A good way to get more information about library activities out to the public.

Do other libraries use these tags? If not, they soon will, I guess. They must have good IT people at Boone County.