Suggests tools to increase community interest and support for public libraries including a public relations campaign, neighborhood action group, and community board. The advantages of community independence and decision sharing are discussed. (SW)

Describes a community volunteer program developed at Mt. Hood Community College (Oregon) in which community members are trained as neighborhood representatives to provide information about the school, answer questions, and refer problems and complaints to the appropriate places on campus. (AYC)

Provides an overview of marketing efforts of the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Examples of a marketing plan that stresses fostering relationships with the community are described, including staff training in customer service, a cultural festival, and services to the business community. A sidebar offers marketing tips for…

According to a former community relations director for a Washington State district, there are three key elements of effective public engagement: choosing a focus, acknowledging that employees are a school system's first public, and using feedback loops. Employees are school ambassadors whose words and actions can either build community support or…

After South Lyon Community Schools (Michigan) lost their first tax levy campaign, a committee formed to interview voters and devise a new plan discovered that voter priorities had been overlooked. The solution--enlisting community support and communicating the importance of voters' priorities. An inset provides specific campaign techniques. (MLH)

A Jonesboro, Arkansas project was designed and implemented to increase the awareness of vocational education, increase community support and involvement in vocational education, and establish improved communication in the vocational-technical education field. Interaction between the vocational-technical school and the local school community was a…

Encourages colleges to use television's public service announcements and "stars" in marketing efforts. Features Houston Community College's utilization of community resources and enlistment of public officials as college spokespersons. Suggests using representatives from both major parties; interfacing public officials' causes with institutional…

In October 1978 a survey was conducted of Friends of the Library (FOL) activities during the preceding 6 years in support of public, branch, academic, public school, media center, institution, and special libraries in Ohio. The purpose of the survey was to identify and provide a comprehensive summary listing of the recent activities of Friends…

A recent study by The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), Principals in the Public: Engaging Community Support (2000) found that communication, marketing, public affairs and public relations and engagement activities are now given more time and importance than ever before. According to the study, public support builds…

Described briefly is a course on arts advocacy designed so that guest speakers representing a broad base of organizations and/or legislative oriented groups could create action and movement to enhance arts education through networking and other sophisticated strategies. The course became a consciousness-raising event. (KC)

Describes the advantages of public relations to a school music program. Suggests that, to succeed, a music program must have the support of school administrators, teachers, parents, and students alike. Recommends means of attracting support from the four groups. Stresses the importance of effective local publicity. (SG)

South Carolina's successful comprehensive school plan to develop and maintain public support for its school reform package, the Education Improvement Act, is offered in this paper, which focuses on the necessity of public support for successful reform. Key components of the plan are described, which include timing and public interest, state…

The press has the power either to foster or to diminish confidence in the schools. Educators must learn some ways to use the news media to the schools' advantage. (JM)

The California Art Education Association has developed a statewide advocacy effort to counteract declines in art education brought about by financial pressures and the basic skills movement. This article describes the advocacy program's publicity efforts and commitments to work with the entire arts community in a "comprehensive arts"…

For more than 40 years, Penta Career Center in Perrysburg, Ohio, has successfully served thousands of high school students and adults from Northwest Ohio. Calling a converted 1949 United States Army Depot building home, Penta serves students from 16 surrounding school districts, and offers programs in six core areas: arts and communications;…