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?) on November 17th 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 that 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.
Take 5 – 10 photos of the business and busy-ness at your library on November 17th.
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 in December. Plus, your library now has great photos to make use of for your own promotional efforts.

Using Flickr

To access our group, your library will need to have it's own flickr account - no personal accounts please. 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 the activity going on in the photo.
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 if you request membership with a library account, no personal accounts please.

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!

Easy Ways to Make Wisconsin Libraries Say Cheese! Work for Your Library

(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 17th. 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.