Liz Grauel e-Portfolio

Outcome 5a: Apply marketing and/or advocacy principles to demonstrate and promote the value of libraries and information agencies.

This artifacts is a social media marketing plan developed in Fall 2021 for a marketing case study as part of LIS-707 (Leadership, Marketing, and Strategic Communication). The plan demonstrates understanding of marketing techniques and practices and knowledge of the principles and elements of marketing and advocacy (Objectives 5a and 5b) , as well as appreciation for the relationship between planning and budgeting in library and information organizations (Objective 5c).

The Social Media Marketing Plan presented here was created to suit a case provided by the course professor. With a budget, defined resources, community demographics, and program details, this plan includes marketing goals, schedule and timeline, target audiences, tools and platforms, content strategy, and itemized budget for implementing and executing a marketing campaign that promotes a library program. This asset is evidence of effective communication and planning to market and advocate for library services.

Two artifacts are provided to achievement of this objective from two perspectives. First is a simple document from a group project showing research questions that were developed through effective communication and building of shared understanding in Fall 2022 for LIS-708 (Objective 5b). The second is a Strategic Communication Plan developed as part of LIS-707 in Fall 2021. This artifact shows a leadership and administrative project plan (Objective 5c) for outreach in a professional library setting, with the goal of achieving common understanding (Objective 5c) and promoting the library and its value to a community (Objective 5a).

Group projects present a significant opportunity to practice effective communication and achieve shared understanding, but it can be difficult to share that as an artifact. The research question writeup is an outcome of work within a group of four, with varying levels of research experience, education, and time in the program. This document resulted from several Zoom meetings, shared reading and findings, and cooperation to meet the requirements of the task and one another’s professional interests. This artifact is evidence of effective communication and collaboration to accomplish an LIS research objective.

The second artifact is a Strategic Communication Plan developed using a case presented by the course professor. Targeting a specific community within the library’s region, the plan includes a budget, goals and objectives, a strategic promise to the community, communication and outreach plan, and key messages for achieving understanding among leadership and in the target audience. This artifact is evidence of the ability to advocate for and communicate professionally about library and information services.

To demonstrate knowledge of leadership types as well as personal leadership goals, two artifacts are presented here. First is a report from a leadership interview conducted in Fall 2021 as part of LIS-707, in which a conversation is described and related to prominent leadership theories (Outcome 5c). The second is an Individual Development Plan from the same class, in which a personal vision statement, assessment of leadership strengths and weaknesses, and aspirations for growth as a leader are detailed to demonstrate appreciation for leadership principles (Outcome 5c).

The first artifact listed describes an interview with a leader outside of the library and information field, however, it was analyzed within the context of leadership principles learned within the MLIS curriculum. At the end of the report is a summary of how the learnings from this interview can carry into the field of LIS, including effective communication and collaboration.

Artifact two is a self-assessment and report of core values, vision, skills and strengths, areas for development, and a plan for accountability. It demonstrates commitment to growing as a leader and is evidence of awareness and goals to deliver value across contexts.