Submitted by dboozer on

This online Media Kit is designed to provide libraries throughout the State of Ohio with the tools needed to market KnowItNow to citizens of all ages. Your enthusiasm for this service and your help in promoting it are greatly appreciated. If you have any questions about any of the tools included in this kit, e-mail the KnowItNow Coordinator, Don Boozer, at support@knowitnow.org.

The service's new logo, adopted in 2010 (and revised in 2012), was designed by Kristin Klatka. Her versatile design and contemporary color palette provide a fresh brand for Ohio's statewide virtual reference service as it moves into the future. Kristin graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2006 with a BA in Fine Arts: Visual Communication. Since 2007, she has served as Community Relations Associate and graphic designer for Euclid Public Library, a valued member of the KnowItNow network.

  • Bookmarks
  • Posters
  • Promotional Image for Local Texting
    • Local Texting Template (413 x 800, PNG format)
    • For local libraries offering text messaging through KnowItNow: Add your local keyword using Arial, 48 point, white text, then re-size as needed. (See example here from State Library of Ohio.)
  • Press Release/Website Posting Samples for Texting
  • Lesson Plan
  • Logos for the Web
  • Descriptions for the Web
    • To accompany the logos above, libraries may also want to include a brief description of the service on their web pages. Here are some suggestions libraries may copy and paste or use as drafts to create your own text:
      • Suggestion 1: Simply use the logos above
      • Suggestion 2: KnowItNow is an online reference service for the citizens and residents of Ohio brought to you by the State Library of Ohio and libraries throughout the state. Professional librarians are available to answer your reference questions and to assist you in finding information.
      • Suggestion 3: KnowItNow is the place on the Web where Ohioans can get live help from a librarian for finding resources for homework or research on any topic, suggestions for good books to read, or answers to satisfy your general curiosity.
      • Suggestion 4 (for libraries staffing a local KIN queue): [library X] is a part of KnowItNow to provide live online reference service. During regular hours, click the link to chat live with a [library X] librarian. After-hours, you will be connected to one of the other librarians staffing the service from around Ohio.
      • Tips for writing your own text:
        • Do not state that "tutors" are available. As of 2007, tutors were no longer available on the service. KIN is staffed entirely by librarians, either public, academic, or AfterDark.
    • PowerPoint Presentations
      • KnowItNow PowerPoint for use by librarians in schools to students or educators but also to groups in the community. Placeholders within the presentation allow a library to customize the it to their local audience and to promote local resources as well.
      • Introduction to KnowItNow24x7 PowerPoint for Educators for use in schools to introduce students to Ohio's statewide reference service. (Can be used in conjucntion with Lesson Plan above)
    • Press Releases
      • These press releases can be used for local media outlets as well as customized for inclusion in local library newsletters or web site news items.
      • Customizable press release announcing that a public library provides access to KnowItNow
      • Customizable press release announcing that a public library is a new KnowItNow provider. This basic release can be customized for both a statewide provider as well as a library staffing a local queue.
    • Marketing Tips
      • Take advantage of opportunities to present your library's services to local groups including Rotary, Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, senior centers, and others. The participants can both use KnowItNow themselves or suggest it to their children/grandchildren.
      • When presenting to students or educators, be sure to emphasize that only a very limited number of agents are staffing KIN at any given time. For this reason, stress that entire classes should not log in simultaneously. A better strategy is to assign only one or two students to log in. Several students can view the interaction and then be encouraged to log in later from home or another location. This alleviates the stress on the agents and allows for a more positive experience for the students. This is also stressed in the Lesson Plan.
    • KnowItNow's CafePress Store
      • A wide variety of merchandise is available here sporting the KnowItNow logo. All merchandise is sold at cost.
File attachments: 

Related content: