Presenter: Name: Ashley Henderson

Title: Library Media Specialist
Organization/School: Louisville Male High School

Program Description
In response to the challenges of fragmented staff communication and inconsistent branding, our library has launched a "Unified Communication and Branding Initiative." This comprehensive program is designed to streamline information dissemination, enhance visual consistency, and foster a cohesive school identity.

In this session, attendees will gain insights into our journey of implementing our "Unified Communication and Branding Initiative." We will share our experiences, including the challenges we faced and the solutions we developed. Additionally, we will discuss the importance of maintaining brand consistency to build a strong and unified identity. Participants will learn about the strategies we employed and walk away with practical tools to implement these ideas in their own school.

The following components of our journey will be discussed in this session.
1. Centralized Information Hub:
- The Daily Male: Introduced as a concise, single-slide daily update, this platform curates essential information to prevent overload. It includes quick links to detailed resources and is designed for easy navigation.
2. Consistent Visual Branding:
- Color Codes: Utilizing Canva, we've developed a standardized color palette to unify all communications and materials. This approach addresses previous inconsistencies caused by varied printer outputs and design discrepancies.
- Signage and Poster Design: We've revamped print signage and posters to align with our new branding standards, ensuring uniformity across all visual displays.
3. Digital Signage Integration:
- Installation of Digital Screens: Strategically placed throughout the building, these screens display scrolling announcements and important updates, providing real-time information to staff and visitors.
4. Website and Logo Revamp:
- Website Consistency: Efforts are underway to redesign our websites, ensuring they reflect the unified branding and provide a seamless user experience.
- Logo Redesign: We've been able to update/digitize our logos to align with the new visual identity.

Challenges Addressed
- Technical Hurdles: Variations in printer outputs led to inconsistent colors in printed materials. To combat this, we've established procedures dictating specific printer usage for branded materials.
- Resource Limitations: Delays in receiving bulletin boards and limited maintenance staff have slowed the installation of new signage.
- Staff Adaptation: Encouraging staff to transition to the new systems has been met with mixed reactions. Continuous reminders and training sessions are in place to facilitate this change.

By the end of this session, attendees will be equipped to lead from the Library! They’ll have the knowledge and resources necessary to unify their school's communication and branding efforts, ultimately leading to a more cohesive and engaged school community.

Learning Objectives
1. Understand the Role of the Library in School Communication
- Identify how the library can serve as a central hub for communication and branding.
- Explore ways to align library messaging with the school’s overall communication strategy.
2. Develop a Cohesive Branding and Messaging Strategy
- Learn key branding principles and how they apply to school libraries.
- Create a consistent tone, style, and messaging that strengthens the school’s identity.
3. Enhance Communication Channels for Greater Impact
- Discover effective tools and platforms for streamlining communication throughout the school.
- Learn best practices for ensuring clear, engaging, and accessible messaging.
4. Foster Collaboration Between the Library and School Departments
- Develop strategies for integrating library messaging with administration, teachers, and students.
- Explore ways to enhance engagement through library-led communication initiatives.
5. Create Actionable Plans for Immediate Implementation
- Build a step-by-step framework for improving school-wide communication through the library.
- Design templates, branding guides, and workflows to support consistent messaging.

Program Outline
-Introduction
-Goals for the session
-Links provided for Slides & Note Catcher
-Live poll- engaging participants and requesting their assessment of their current school and/or library communication
-Brief opportunity for participants to share poll results
-Guiding participants through our journey (Slides Presentation)
-Maximizing leadership from the library- implementing strategies in your library and expanding to whole school
-Breakdown of tools:
Canva Brand Kit
Hex codes
Needs Inventory (Organizer)
Shared templates
-Examples of Signage
-Opportunity for Q&A
Leading from the Library: Library-Centered Communication & Branding

Grade Level: Prek-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Session Strand: Leadership & Advocacy

Presenter
Ashley Henderson

Librarian at Louisville Male High School
Louisville, KY.


Description: Is your school’s communication scattered and inconsistent? Want to make the library a central hub for clear, engaging messaging? Join us for an interactive session on branding and streamlining communication across your school!

We will Explore:
How to align library communication with your school’s brand
Strategies to improve communication across departments
Tools and templates for clear, consistent messaging

This session will equip you with practical strategies and ready-to-use resources to make your library the center of effective school communication.