The A. Frank Smith Jr. Library Center (SLC) has received two Branding Iron Awards from the Texas Library Association for outstanding efforts in marketing and public relations.
The library received top honors in the external communications category of the Interactive Library Treasure Hunt, a project led by senior research librarian Katherine Hooker.
Distinctive Collections was named Champion in Digital Communications for its “Behind the Artifact” video series created by Megan Firestone, Director of Distinctive Collections and Archives, and Videographer Todd White from the Office of Marketing and Communications.
This award recognizes that we do things differently, the South West way. We like to be different.
Launched in fall 2021, the Interactive Library Treasure Hunt is a creative twist on the traditional college library tour. Students will use the map-themed booklet to go on a treasure hunt through all three of his levels in the library. The hunt will highlight the wide range of services SLC offers, connect students and library staff, and culminate in a treasure chest filled with fun Southwestern prizes.
This achievement marks Hooker's second consecutive Branding Iron Award, the first being in 2023 for the library's ZINE project.
“I really appreciate being recognized for my creativity,” Hooker said. “I don't think many people think of creativity when they hear the concept of librarianship, but I have a background in the arts and I love doing this kind of work. It's great to be recognized.”
The Office of Marketing and Communications is collaborating with Distinctive Collections on the PBS-style series “Behind I created the Artifact. White worked with his team at Marcom to create the overall atmosphere and direction. White will also produce each episode, with Firestone serving as host and content curator.
“This project has actually grown to the point where we're making mini-documentaries about the amazing things we have, to use these items as an educational tool rather than just a way to document them. '' said White. “Beyond that, it’s great to be recognized for the extra effort we put into creating TV-quality work.”
Throughout its first eight issues, the series explores things like the ticker tape of JFK's assassination, the toolbox of famed Georgetown builder Charles Belford, and early 1900s footage of Southwestern's Women's Annex. I've been doing it. You can watch the entire “Behind the Artifact” series by: Please click here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries
“One of the things that drove me into this career was the story,” Firestone said. “It's so gratifying to be able to use storytelling to bring to life the amazing resources that Southwestern has, because it's engaging people who are watching the video and saying, 'I want to be a part of this.' .”
These two recognitions highlight the work library staff has done to brand SLC as an attractive place for Southwest communities to visit, learn and research. Our staff has worked hard to position the library as a place where all are welcome and where academic research can be both rewarding and fun.
“The library is the heart of our campus and it's very important to people, but sometimes it's difficult to get that message across,” Hooker said. “I think there's a lot of prejudice that libraries are boring or dull. We're working hard to dispel those misconceptions and make them more approachable and fun.”
Presented annually, the Branding Iron Awards recognize excellence in marketing and public relations efforts by academic, public, and school libraries across Texas. There are prizes for innovative, exciting and creative thinking, regardless of budget or available resources.
“We already have plans to resubmit next year,” Firestone said. “We are trying to push the boundaries a little bit of what people traditionally think academic libraries do for marketing. It gives us recognition for doing things the way we do things. We like being different.”
