Blogs
‘Tidings’ Earns National Public Relations Award
By Katy Kelly
Tidings, volume 1, published in 2023 by Marian Library faculty and staff, won the American Library Association’s top honor for born-digital advocacy and annual reports in its annual PR Xchange awards competition. The publication stood out amongst 334 entries to the competition’s panel of 25 judges.
Tidings is the newsletter and annual report of the Marian Library. It is a reimagining of the Marian Library Newsletter, which ran from 1944 to 2023.
“When we initially expanded the newsletter to include more pages, a fresh design and engaging stories on collections, exhibits, research, programs and people, it became much more than a newsletter — worthy of an identity all its own,” said Kayla Harris, associate professor, director of the Marian Library and editor of Tidings.
Tidings features reflections and stories about collections, outreach, events and exhibits. “Besides providing an annual report of successes and numbers, it gives readers a deeper connection with the Marian Library and a better understanding of the work its faculty, staff and volunteers have done since its founding in 1943,” Harris said.
Congratulations to everyone who worked on this award-winning publication:
- Editor: Kayla Harris
- Assistant editor/graphic designer: Ann Zlotnik
- Editorial support: Maureen Schlangen
- Photography/digitization: Ryan O’Grady, Kennedy Kish ’24
- Contributors: Melanie Fields, Henry Handley, Bridget Retzloff and Michelle Schweickart
The next issue of Tidings will be published this fall.
This is the sixth project from the University of Dayton Libraries to win PR Xchange honors. Past successes include:
- 2018: Mary's Gardens EcoCubes (materials promoting collections category)
- 2017: Illuminating a Treasure: The Marian Library at the University of Dayton (advocacy/fundraising category)
- 2015: Imprints and Impressions Exhibition Catalogue (special programs, exhibits and events category)
- 2013: About Us brochure (patron orientation category); Art in the Libraries booklet (materials promoting collections category)
— In the University Libraries, Katy Kelly is a professor and assistant dean of strategic communication and outreach.