Marketing & Publicity Report 2011 This year (in addition to our usual fundraisers) we did considerable marketing and publicity work on the library, primarily associated with the Community Survey. We received several letters of support throughout the year, from: Calypso Farm & Ecology Center, Ester Community Association, Fairbanks Open Radio, Gulliver’s Books, Forget-Me-Not Books of the Literacy Council of Alaska, and Richard Seifert (Cooperative Extension Service Community Housing Specialist). We also received a draft letter of support from architectural designer Matt Prouty, who illuminated how working on our library’s design has revolutionized his thinking about energy-efficient building design in the far north. We prepared a Frequently Asked Questions page to make it easier to find information on our website, and an essay drawing on the results of the survey and titled, “Why We Need A Library In Ester,” in response to queries on this topic over the years. Facebook was a well-used tool for getting the word out about events, and we now have 301 fans on our page. We also provided letters of support to other organizations, including Fairbanks Open Radio for their application to the FCC and the Noel Wien Library and its North Pole Branch for their attempt to gain a legislative appropriation. We followed up on this latter support when the borough libraries sought funding from the borough through assembly ordinance 2011-20-1K by providing testimony both in writing and verbally. Community Survey The John Trigg Ester Library has ended its community survey! The survey was conducted by the JTEL to determine the community’s expectations of and desires for the library and how the library might best serve its community. Through online SurveyMonkey and the dedicated work of board and volunteer members giving out hard copies of the survey, we have received very positive feedback from the community. We began to get responses at the end of February and the survey saw a steady stream of entries through the summer and into the fall. The 2010 census numbers show Ester with more than 2,400 residents, and the Ester Volunteer Fire Department services over a thousand more, totaling more than 3,400 residents just in the Ester area. We had 159 total responses, or 6.6% of the population of the Ester Census Designated Place. Survey responses ranged from “Do it” in an August 2011 response to “Don’t know” from a March 2011 response. The survey was left open for good reason; it was an excellent gauge of the public’s lack of and ever-increasing knowledge about the library and its progression toward a complete design. The survey questions were created by Deirdre Helfferich and Monique Musick with input from the rest of the board and Carey Brink, who has professional experience in opinion surveys. The survey was linked to our websites and Facebook page, handed out at our fundraisers, the Ester Community Market, and Angry Young & Poor, Volunteers manned a table at the Ester Post Office from March through May, and had many good discussions with the public about the building plans, funding, services, and operations. In the JTEL’s community survey, 81.1% of respondents said they would use a library more frequently if there was one closer to their home. While other libraries in the borough aren’t far for drivers (Noel Wien is about ten miles from Ester), there is no public transportation between Ester and Fairbanks, and children cannot drive. There are approximately 450 people under the age of 18 living in the Ester area. A 20- to 40-mile round trip (depending on where one lives) by bicycle or foot is too far for most people, adult or youth. Having a library in Ester reduces travel time (and also gasoline use) for Ester-area residents. Having a library closer to home, especially in the winter, is also safer: driving in downtown in the winter means traveling through more intersections, ice fog, and darkness. Traffic is also higher in the city. In the survey, 87.2% of those polled feel that Ester needs a community gathering place. Community libraries help serve this function, creating a space that serves everyone in the area regardless of age or economic status. Right now, Ester has only one public space that functions this way: the Ester Community Park. The park is, naturally, limited to outdoor functions. The new library building will have a reading porch, a conference room, a lounge area, and a foyer, as well as a children’s area, the circulation desk, and the regular stacks and study areas. The library will also have outdoor gathering and reading spaces on its grounds, the first of these being the Ida Lane Clausen Gazebo, which was completed in summer 2010. While Ester does have other gathering places, these are more limited in their scope. Hartung Community Hall is a rental space available to Ester Community Association members; the Ester Post Office is a business where people meet but cannot sit or study; and the local saloons are limited to those 21 or older or accompanied by a guardian. The survey gives the Ester community a clear understanding of the needs that the JTEL will charge itself to undertake. Continued support and input is always appreciated and encouraged. And of course, we will do everything in our power not to allow what one respondent feared: “the place is going to become a flop house and a money drain.” See the complete JTEL Community Survey. Publicity Listing “Poetry Race! A Snowflake, A Zombie, and Two Pink Fairies,” by D. Helfferich, cover photo & story p. 3, v. 12 n. 9, October 2010, . “Meetings Four. ECA, EVFD, JTEL, & the Ester Lump Road Service Commission,” by D. Helfferich, p. 17, v. 12 n. 9, October 2010, . “Top Three Poems from Readers on the Run,” judged by Craig N. Buchanan, written by Mary Via, Shiway Wang, and Christine Woll; p. 21, v. 12 n. 9, October 2010,. “2011 Library Lallapalooza,” public announcement, p. 19, v. 12 n. 11, December 2010, . “Heating Bills? What Heating Bills?” by Hans Mölders, p. 8, v. 13 n. 1, January 2011, “Fashion Fun,” “Library Lallapalooza!” and “Librarypalooza Leftovers Sale,” public announcements, pp. 16-17, v. 13 n. 1, January 2011, “What’s in a Passive House?” by Hans Mölders, p. 3, v. 13 n. 2, February/March 2011, T “Closing Comments,” hosted by Julie Beaver. Live broadcast interview with Melinda Harris, February 24, 2011, KJNP. “Ester Library Lallapalooza and Book Bash,” p. 2, Latitude 65, February 25, 2011, Cover page mention, advertisement, and calendar listing also. “The Home-Grown Library,” by Molly Rettig, p. C-1, Our Town, February 26, 2011, “Ester Library Announcements: The Library Thanks You!; The Latest Library Plans; JTEL Community Survey; Ester Library Lecture: Thorsten Chlupp and his Passive Houses,” public announcements, p. 9, v. 13 n. 3, March/April 2011, . “Ester Library Lecture,” photos by Monique Musick, p. 10, v. 13 n. 4, April/May 2011, . “JTEL Community Survey” and “Ester Library Lecture: Jennifer Jolis,” public announcements, p. 23, v. 13 n. 4, April/May 2011, . “Wasted money,” letter to the editor by Scot Geiger, p. A-4, May 31, 2011, Mention in obituary for Philip John “Phil” Carboy, (p. ?) June 12, 2011, . “Misplaced vetoes,” letter to the editor by Marcella Hill, June 29, 2011, “Interior mostly survives budget vetoes: Governor whacks $400 million from spending,” by Christopher Eshelman, p. 1, June 30, 2011, “Music and Social Conciousness: Rock Over Fairbanks!” by Hannah Hill, p. 19, v. 13 n. 5, May/June/July 2011, . “New Cash in Community Coffers,” by Deirdre Helfferich, p. 24, v. 13 n. 5, May/June/July 2011, “Nonprofit Cooperation,” by Deirdre Helfferich, p. 25, v. 13 n. 5, May/June/July 2011, “Community Survey,” “Lost Dog Unleashed: Upcoming Events for the Old-Time String Band,” and “LiBerry Music Festival!” public announcements, p. 33, v. 13 n. 5, May/June/July 2011, . “Redistrict Ester? No Way!” letter by Kate Billington and Nancy Therrell, p. 34, v. 13 n. 5, May/June/July 2011, “Obituaries: Four Fine Men. Well Done: Phil Carboy, June 27, 1927–June 5, 2011,” mention, p. 35, v. 13 n. 5, May/June/July 2011, . “LiBerrying About Town,” by D. Helfferich, cover photo and p. 3, v. 13 n. 6, August 2011, “Library Lectures,” public announcement, p. 16, v. 13 n. 6, August 2011, . “Cover our libraries’ needs: Bentley Trust money is the right source,” Community Perspective by Luke Hopkins, p. A-4, September 22, 2011, “New roof approved for Noel Wien Library,” by Matt Buxton, p. ?, September 23, 2011, | ||||
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