Visit http://www.techsoupforlibraries.org for tech donations for public libraries! Could you use more funding for your library projects? Are you looking for money to launch a new program? Turn community-driven support into dollars with crowdfunding! A well-run crowdfunding campaign can yield big results, even for small libraries. Learn technology tools, tips, and tried-and-true practices for running a successful crowdfunding campaign for your library. Learn the basics, and hear from two libraries with experience in this type of fundraising. -- Mary Ann Antonellis, M.N. Spear Memorial Library (Shutesbury, MA) - using crowdfunding to support capital campaign to build a new library. -- Laura Bartnik, Northlake Public Library District (IL) - used crowdfunding to purchase and promote graphic novels and technology in the library.

1. Crowdfunding for Libraries:
Technology Tips for Futuristic Fundraising
July 29, 2015

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make informed decisions about technology.
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5. Who Is TechSoup?
• Since 1987, TechSoup donation programs have served more than
210,000 charitable organizations.
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Refurbished Computer Initiative (RCI)
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Get the latest versions of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator,
Premiere Pro, and more with hundreds of new features.
Tell your story and inspire more with Creative Cloud.
CauseVox
Online fundraising platform for donation pages,
crowdfunding, and team fundraising pages.

7. Crowdfunding for Libraries:
Technology Tips for Futuristic Fundraising
July 29, 2015

8. • Crowdfunding: Tools, Tips, & Resources
• Indiegogo: Bringing The HULK to NPLD
• Social Media: Campaign for a New Library
• Q&A
Today’s Topics
@techsoup4libs
#ts4libs

9. Mary Anne Antonellis
M.N. Spear Memorial Library
Shutesbury, MA
Presenters
Chat: Becky Wiegand
Twitter: Ginny Mies
Laura Bartnik
Northlake Public Library District
Northlake, IL
Crystal Schimpf
TechSoup for Libraries
San Francisco, CA
@techsoup4libs
#ts4libs

10. 1. Plan a SMART campaign (set goals)
2. Start with your existing network
3. Use email & social media
4. Tell your story
5. Run a longer campaign (60-90 days)
http://www.techsoup.org/community/events-webinars/crowdfund-your-way-to-year-end-success-2014-10-30
http://evancedsolutions.com/crowdfunding/
http://www.bethkanter.org/5-crowdfunding-tips/
5 Crowdfunding Tips

11. • Kickstarter
• Indiegogo
• Causevox
• Razoo
• Fundly
5 Crowdfunding Tools for Libraries

12. Bringing The HULK to NPLD
@techsoup4libs
#ts4libs
Laura Bartnik
Head of Adult Services
Northlake Public Library District
northlakelibrary.org
lbartnik@northlakelibrary.org

14. Media Coverage

17. Donations

18. His trip

20. Wrap Up Party
- Demos of: 3D printer, Cintiq, iMac + software
- Graphic Novels on display
- All green snacks and drinks

22. Selfie Central

23. Negative Outcomes
• Not enough local coverage
• Disorganized social media plan
• Not having a designated point person/spokes person
• Not having a plan B if we didn’t meet our goal.
• Certain donors trying to take over the project.

24. Outcomes
• Raised Money ($5,600 total)
• Donations
• Media coverage
• Tech equipment
• Got to show our fun side
• LEARNED A TON

25. What We Learned / Best
Practices
1. Committee
2. One point person + one spokesperson
3. Comprehensive Social Media + Marketing Plan
4. Get your timeline mapped out

26. What We Learned / Best
Practices
5. Get your Graphic Designer on board early
6. Draft your message and talking points and STAY ON MESSAGE
7. Plan for more than 1 way to donate
8. Donation Procedures (Receipts? Who collects?)
9. HAVE FUN…seriously

27. Please type your questions in the chat window.
Laura Bartnik
Head of Adult Services
Northlake Public Library District
northlakelibrary.org
lbartnik@northlakelibrary.org

28. • Before launching a campaign
• Managing your campaign
• After your campaign ends
• Contributing to a campaign
• Nonprofit guide
https://support.indiegogo.com/hc/en-us
Indiegogo Playbook

29. Campaign for a New Library
@techsoup4libs
#ts4libs
Mary Anne Antonellis
M.N. Spear Memorial Library
Shutesbury, MA
library.director@shutesbury.org
mnspear.org
@mnspearlibrary

30. • 113-year-old, one-room library
• 2011, MBLC awards Shutesbury a $2.1 million
Construction grant
• $1.4 million match needed
• Override failed
• Deadline approaching
A little history

31. 1. Video shows tiny library and community support.
2. Our goal was to “go viral” with our campaign.
3. Supporters tweet, share, tumble, and email--
spreading our story any way they can.
How do you tell your story?

32. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUQ1vdJQWn0
Where would you be without your library?

33. Don't underestimate
the power of telling
your friends!

34. BoingBoing & John Hodgman
"Human Tears of Happiness"

35. • Email video to potentially interested sites
• Brag about who has shared it
• Offer a personal contact
• Don’t be shy!
Target sites that promote social causes

36. Online newsletters picked up our story:
The Daily doGooder, The Daily Good, New Earth Daily

37. Contact library bloggers

38. “The tiny Shutesbury public library might not
have running water, but it does have a bunch of
determined and creative book lovers on its side.”
- New Yorker’s Book Bench
Contact the media

39. • We got lucky
• Sustaining the momentum became a full-time job
• 50,000 people viewed the video
• We raised $60,000
• But, In June 2012, we were forced to decline the grant
and let the project go
In the end…

40. We still need a New Library
• A positive and active
presence in our
community
• No immediate plans
• Bake sales, book
sales, dinners,
concerts, yard work
crews, and more

41. December 2014 ~Valley Gives
• Regional online giving day
• Hundreds of non-profits, thousands of donors,
millions of dollars raised in one day
• We decided to give it a try

42. Getting the word out
• Social media posts
• Chocolate kisses
• Banner
• Press release
• Local list serves
• School &Town Newsletter
• Town-wide mailing

43. Challenge Gift and incentives
• A generous, anonymous donor offered a
$2,500 challenge gift
• Supporters donated incentives prizes

45. Success!
• Our Valley Gives campaign was a
tremendous success
• We raised $9,434.62

46. • Awesome Film Maker, Lindsey Van Dyke
• Emily Bloch
• Susie Mosher
• Friends, Townspeople, National and international
library community
Volunteers are indispensable!

48. Please type your questions in the chat window.
Mary Anne Antonellis
M.N. Spear Memorial Library
Shutesbury, MA
library.director@shutesbury.org
mnspear.org
@mnspearlibrary

49. Archived Webinars:
•Crowdfund your way to year end success
•How to make your campaigns more viral
Forum Post:
•Which crowdfunding platform is best for your
organization?
TechSoup Resources

50. TechSoup for Libraries

51. • Online reading education program
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Upcoming TechSoup Webinars
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Thursday, 8/6, 11AM-12PM PST
Technology Planning Tips for Small Libraries
Wednesday, 8/19, 11AM-12PM PST

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