How to Participate
YOUR library’s participation will make this event a great success! To get started, here are some suggestions (and we'll help you out along the way - just ask!):
- In preparation for Say Cheese, consider planning a special event (how about story telling? teen program? library worksop?) during the
week of November 1-8 in order to create photo opportunities that really make your library shine.
- If a special event isn’t possible, consider photographing “routine” activities that will share your library’s story of
service -- photos of a parent and child at story time; the job seeker at the computer; a retired person reading the daily paper
would all make great photo opportunities.
- Notify local media of your library’s participation in this state-wide event. Here’s a Sample Press Release form you can use. Your local news outlet might even send a photographer to your library to take the photos for you!
- The best photos for this Flickr project will be of individuals or groups of two or three people. Candid photos are also
best. If your library doesn’t own a digital camera, perhaps a staff person, library patron, Friend of the Library, or a
Board member would be willing to offer the use of their time/and or camera for a day.
- Be sure to get permission from the subjects of your photos using the Photo Release Form. (More information below in photos section.)
- Take 5 – 10 photos of the business and busy-ness at your library on ONE specific day during the week of November 1-8, 2009.
- Then upload those photos to the Flickr group Wisconsin Libraries Say Cheese, tagging them "Say Cheese".
The Campaign for Wisconsin Libraries will promote this online statewide Flickr gallery and provide statistics
about library use to statewide media on November 18 --- PLUS, your library now has great photos to make use of for your
own promotional efforts.
Did you miss our presentation at WLA? We've got our slides for you to review!
Using Flickr ⋅ Success at Your Library ⋅ Photo Release Information ⋅ Graphics
To access our group, you will need to have your own (or your library's) flickr account. Flickr accounts are free for a basic account.
Uploading your photos to Flickr
- Login to your account and click, "upload photos and videos."
- Choose photos to upload - feel free to add video to your own account but please only submit photos to our group.
- Keep your photo's setting open to the public so everyone may see the busy-ness of your library.
- Title your photo.
- Add a description - don't forget to include your library name and photo number to match to the photo release form.
- Add the tags, "say cheese" "Wisconsin Libraries Say Cheese" and any other photo identifiers.
- Save.
Join the Group
- Visit our group and request membership.
- You will receive confirmation of your acceptance into our group. Don't worry, we'll accept you all.
Adding to the Group
- Click on groups at the top of your account.
- Choose your photos to add to the group.
- Admire your contribution to Wisconsin Libraries Say Cheese!
(Adapted from the NJ State Library and NJ Library Association Snapshot Day project)
- Use the quotes and comments that you collected in your annual report.
- Feature your participation and your patrons in your next newsletter.
- Share your results with your board.
- Put a badge on your website and link to the Flickr photo group.
- Make a slideshow of the Flickr photos and run it in the library near the check out desk.
- Make bold signs with your patron comments and display them throughout the library.
- Customize the model handout (add your own stats, logo, etc.)
- Welcome new library card holders with your custom handout.
- Send an email blast to your customer list or community contacts featuring patron quotes.
- Let your Friends group know about your participation in Wisconsin Libraries Say Cheese!.
- Consider hosting a cheese reception on November 18th. Invite city councillors, business leaders, educators, etc.
- Develop your own slide show or web page featuring the comments and photos.
- Ask if your town website can feature the slideshow.
- Ask your local cable station if they can use the slideshow.
- Ask your local newspaper to run a photo and caption.
- Design an 11 x 17 poster in color and print several copies "in house".
- Print even more copies and share them with your patrons.
The Photo Release Form must be signed by all parties who have a photo taken of him or herself.
This release protects the person(s) photographed, Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) Foundation’s
Campaign for Wisconsin Libraries and the library taking the photo by making it legally certain that
the subjects in the photo consent to having themselves photographed and said photograph be used by
the library or WLA Foundation’s Campaign for Wisconsin Libraries.
We suggest:
- Make several copies of release and keep near camera(s) or a services desk or any other place that would
provide easy access.
- Have the person(s) who have just had his/her photo taken sign this form.
- Write the corresponding photo number on the form so we can all keep track of who actually signed the
form if the need ever arises.
- Send copies of your photo release forms to the WLA Offices or scan and email them to strand@scls.wi.lib.us.
Download the following to create your own promotional material:
Or use what we've already created:
Add a Wisconsin Libraries Say Cheese! badge to your website to show your participation.
