Sample Letter/Email to Media/Community Groups

SAMPLE LETTER/EMAIL TO MEDIA/COMMUNITY GROUPS

[NOTE: In mailings to the media and community groups, include announcements, flyers and brochures of literary programs related to the exhibitions. Letters to the media should also include press kits, offer assistance in developing stories and include a library contact.]

[DATE]

Dear friend of the library, [PERSONALIZE GREETING WHENEVER POSSIBLE]

The [LIBRARY NAME] is pleased to announce the opening of a new exhibition, Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human? Opening on [START DATE], the exhibition provides a fascinating glimpse into the complex field of human evolution research.

Based on a popular exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, the exhibition explores the process of scientific investigation by communicating not only what we know about human origins but also how we know it.

Because human evolution can be a controversial topic, Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human? also seeks to foster a positive dialogue with people from different cultural perspectives. Our goal is to enable a respectful exploration into the science of human origins through panels, interactive kiosks, hands-on displays, videos, and a series of free related programs, including presentations by Smithsonian scientists.

We are proud that [LIBRARY NAME] was chosen as one of 19 sites nationwide to host Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human? The exhibition was organized by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in collaboration with the American Library Association’s Public Programs Office. This project was made possible through the support of a grant from the John Templeton Foundation and support from the Peter Buck Human Origins Fund.

We would like to invite you to a special preview of the exhibit at [TIME] on [DAY/DATE] at the library [OR PARTICULAR LOCATION IN LIBRARY]. [NAME] will be the guest speaker. You will find additional information enclosed. Please contact me at [PHONE/EMAIL] if you have questions.

We hope you can join us as we introduce this exciting educational program to our community.

Sincerely,

[NAME]

[TITLE]