Feb. 7: Beyond the Library Walls

Feb. 7: Beyond the Library Walls

Richland Library is one of the most progressive public libraries in the country and one of Richland County’s most valued assets. It’s an award-winning, forward-thinking organization focused on enhancing the quality of life for all local residents. And, in keeping with a long history of visionary leadership, Richland Library is currently reimaging what it means to be a public library in the 21^st century.

Today, the library is in the midst of a multi-year, $59 million dollar construction project – rebuilding, building and renovating in locations throughout the county. As these new and renovated spaces are opening, a vision is coming to life: Richland Library is not just a place where books are stored, but a place where learning occurs – in all its many forms.

Richland Library’s Chief Program and Innovation Officer, Tony Tallent, will walk through key points of this new vision and current approaches to how a public library provides truly impactful services. Phillip Higgins, Director of Marketing and Digital Strategy will discuss how they’ve gone about marketing this new vision to both loyal library lovers and new customers, and how these lessons can apply to other businesses and organizations challenged with changes in messaging, marketing and customer experience initiatives.

When: Tuesday, February 7, 2017, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Where: The recently renovated Richland Library North Main, 5306 N. Main Street, Columbia, SC 29203

Registration deadline: Noon, Monday, February 6, 2017

Click here to register for this event.

For more information: Please contact IABC/SC VP of Professional Development and Programs – Ginny Jones, 803.217.9501

Guest Speakers:

Tony serves as the Chief Program and Innovation Officer for Richland Library. In this role, he works to maximize the impact of the library’s collections, learning opportunities and reach into the community through new services and program formats. Formerly, he served as the Director of Libraries and Arts for the City of Boulder, Colorado. Tony has worked on several notable projects, including the library and theater partnership and facility ImaginOn in Charlotte, North Carolina. Tony founded the successful Tricycle Music Fest that later evolved into Tricycle Music Fest West through a partnership with San Francisco Public Library. Tony was recognized as a 2008 Mover & Shaker by Library Journal and received the Urban Library Council’s Joey Rodger Leadership Award in 2011. In 2014, he was named Library Advocate of the Year by The Friends of South Carolina Libraries.

Tony has a degree in English with a focus on education. He graduated with a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Studies from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro.

Phillip, a graduate of the University of Tennessee, has called the Columbia area his home since 2004. Over the course of his 20 year marketing career, he’s worked in many industries and worn many hats. Now, as Richland Library’s Director of Marketing & Digital Strategy, he’s putting all that experience (and hat wearing) to good use – directing the library’s marketing, branding, internal communications and web projects. Philip has spoken at regional and national conferences addressing the challenges of online marketing and branding. Phillip was most recently recognized as runner-up in the national award competition for Library Marketer of The Year by Library Journal.