Attending:
Caleb Tucker-Raymond
Emily Papagni
Beverly Stafford
Mary Bush (notetaker)

Caleb opened with the agenda.
Each of us discussed what we had been working on since the last meeting in regard to possible advertising venues. We have approximately 40,000.00 for advertising.

Beverly handed out a comparison sheet of bus advertising rates throughout Oregon.
They aren't cheap.
Mary's task was to examine the possibility of having library computer instructors add L-Net to their curriculum (ie mention it in the Cyberseniors type computer classes as well as in library orientation classes in colleges and universities.)
It was suggested that we might create powerpoint slides with graphics and proactively send them to these instructors to include in the curriculum. If we followup on this, we decided that calling individuals is better than sending more letters.

Emily reported on the five largest utility companies in Oregon with the idea that we might add an insert into monthly bills. Some utility companies will do that. She also mentioned a communication network.

The 5 largest utilities in Oregon are

PacifiCorp-559,323 customers
Portland General Electric-788,831 customers
Northwest Natural Gas - 564,608 customers
Verizon - 383,054 customers
Qwest - 1,191,008 customers

We can also contact some of the smaller utilities and networks, such as CenturyTel of Eastern Oregon and Idaho Power, Inc. in hopes of reaching areas with lower use of L-net.

Also, companies such as Comcast, that are not regulated within Oregon did not come up on the search for largest utilities, but will still be contacted.

Emily will contact utilities to find out if it’s possible to include an insert with bills and limit the mailings to Oregon customers only.

Caleb reported that he contacted people in radio and television about writing and producing a script about L-net. He has not heard back yet, but there was definite interest. He discussed the issue of public service announcements (PSA's) and if L-Net announcements qualify as PSA's or if they are advertisement. PSA's are treated differently and are automatically read or announced if submitted.
Questions that came up:

Should we blitz campaign all forms at one time-radio, buses, television, newsletters? Would that be more effective? If so, should we wait until later in the spring?
Could we do a podcast?
In which format should the PSA be-text, podcast, CD, etc.?

Caleb was approached by an author who wanted to use L-Net to produce a live chat to market her book. We decided that currently, that is not something L-net will do, but is a possibility in the future. Is that within the mission of L-net, and what other services might L-net provide within its mission.
Wordstock is a large author/book event coming up. We decided that L-net should have a booth or table at the event.

The group compiled a list of what should be in a press packet:

• cover letter
• postcard
• sample press release
• bookmarks
• wording to describe L-net: fits within the library mission
• mention of training opportunities
• sample questions that are in the middle ground of difficulty

Followup activities:
Mary and Beverly will go through Oregon newsletters (neighborhood or alternative press types newsletters) and create a list for distribution.

Next meeting:
Same day (1st Tuesday) either at 10 am or noon.