News Release
[Library Name]
[Contact Name and Phone Number]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE [Date]
[Name of Town] Residents now have Access to Materials at more than 400 libraries throughout Texas
TexShare Card Program has greatly expanded services to all who use the [Library]
[Library] patrons are now free to borrow materials from library collections all across Texas by using a special library card called the TexShare card. The card is accepted in a wide variety of public and academic libraries, allowing borrowers in good standing access to hundreds of books, videos, CDs and other materials at other Texas libraries. There are no fees attached to the TexShare Card.
To qualify for a TexShare card, one must be a registered library cardholder in good standing of the [Library]. Once issued, TexShare cardholders must observe the lending policies of participating libraries. More than 500 hundred libraries in Texas currently participate in the TexShare Card program.
The value and uniqueness of the TexShare card allows libraries to offer infinitely more resources to many more people not only in [Name of Town], but people throughout Texas. A library card from [Library], in combination with the new TexShare Card, is your ticket to a powerful network of library resources in Texas. To learn which libraries participate in the TexShare Card program, visit http://www.texshare.edu/generalinfo/about/programs.html.
The TexShare card is a component of TexShare, a service from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission that encourages cooperation and resource sharing between Texas libraries to fulfill the information needs of all Texans.
In addition to the TexShare card, the [Library] also offers [additional par. about your services].
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Press Release Tips
The workhorse of news dissemination is the press release. Every day, thousands of press releases are sent out all over the country to newspapers, magazines, and radio and television stations. Of these, only a small number are used, and most are severely edited. However, they can be highly effective.
The style of a press release is that of a straight news story. It begins with a lead (your first paragraph containing the most essential information). The remainder of the release expands on the lead and proceeds to present information in decreasing order of importance.
The lead is the most important part of your press release. A quick glance at the lead should tell the editor whether to use the release. A good summary lead will answer the key questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why?
How to get the media to write an article/produce a news story based on your press release:
- Send the release in the media outlet’s desired format, whether by mail, e-mail or fax.
- Address your release to a specific person if possible.
- Follow up a day or two after you send the press release by telephone. Did the editor receive the release? State why the readership/audience of the media outlet needs to know about the subject of the release. Ask if you can provide additional information or sources for an article. Offer to send the release again, and follow up a second time if necessary.
