Libraryfest

Fort Worth Public Library Foundation
2006 through 2008

Libraryfest news article "Will Video Games Make Library Cool?" is a Platinum Winner in the Pro Bono category in the Hermes Awards 2008 competition. View the news release.

The Fort Worth Public Library Foundation was chartered in 1993 as an independent, non-profit organization to support the Fort Worth Public Library system by mobilizing resources for and promoting services of the Fort Worth Public Library system in conjunction with the Fort Worth City Council, the City Manager and the Library Staff. The mission of the Foundation is to ensure that the City of Fort Worth has a public library system with excellent facilities, quality and innovative services, and widespread community appreciation and utilization of the library as an educational and cultural institution.

Libraryfest is a free family-oriented festival established in 2000 that showcases the library annually in a new and exciting way. The mission of Libraryfest is to build awareness of the many educational and cultural services of the Fort Worth Public Library in a way that generates enthusiasm for reading and learning.

Factors

• Libraryfest is a family celebration focusing on youth aged four to 18.
• The budget for activities is limited and community participation is encouraged through donations of talent and vendors.
• Diversity is encouraged with a focus on inner city communities.
• Downtown’s redevelopment construction activities and weather conditions can limit space available for activities.

Agency Role

Pavlik and Associates is responsible for the external communications components of this initiative. Our responsibilities, on an annual basis, have included:

• Developing an informational campaign with the media, including the drafting and distribution of news releases and public service announcements.
• Establishing communication with members of city council, educators and area leaders to encourage participation.
• Posting the event in community calendars and local media.
• Developing a media database of approximately 200 entries, including travel guides, general interest magazines, education and parenting writers, etc.
• Participating in all Libraryfest Volunteer Committee planning and evaluation meetings.

Results

• Attendance has been documented coming from a multi-county area.
• Participation is reflective of the diversity within the community.
• Minority churches and faith-based organizations have become involved in participating at all levels of the family event.
• Additional sponsorships have become available, in part because of the media exposure. (McDonald’s features Libraryfest on its tray liners for about a month prior to the event.)
• Media coverage has expanded from calendar listings and small announcements. For example, the Dallas Morning News published a front page article about the area’s first dedicated gaming room as part of an effort to reach teens. This was significant because the newspaper’s Fort Worth readership is small.