What is it about pictures that makes things so much more appealing? The cliche is that a picture is worth a thousand words and I think that just might be true. The Kansas Libraries on the Web project uses WordPress software to help libraries create an attractive and up-to-date web presence. One of the most popular features is the ability to link to the library’s Flickr account to share photos (see Hiawatha’s page for example or Tonganoxie’s). We have a NEKLS Flickr account. Many of our member libraries have Flickr accounts, too. Josh Neff has created a Flickr group for Kansas Libraries. In our text-loving library world, it seems that there is a lot of photo innovation happening.
Another really cool photo project is happening in conjunction with KLA Legislative Day 2007. The theme is “The World Is Yours @ the Library”. Photographs are being gathered from as many libraries in Kansas as possible. Photos of the library in the home town of each legislator will be put in a frame and distributed to that legislator along with an invitation to the KLA Legislative Day Luncheon. All of the library photos will be displayed on KLA Legislative Day on a large map of Kansas so legislators at the luncheon can see and sign the photos of “their” libraries in each legislative district. This will be a huge map in front of the State Library. It is also planned that Governor Sebelius will be invited to accept a poster of the map with all photos of Kansas libraries (contact Rosanne at KLA if you would like more details). I think this is such a great idea and predict that it’s going to have a lot of impact — more impact than a spreadsheet of usage statistics or statements about needs.
So… what is it about photos? What innovative photo-type things are you doing in your library? Do you have a digital photo archive documenting your library’s events? Do you have a digital camera to use at library events (or even at events outside of the library)? What are the possibilities?