Library campaigns win two awards

Creation Station team recognized by international group

The creative team behind Broward County Libraries Creation Station won marketing awards for two branding campaigns in the 2015 MarCom International Awards for Marketing and Communications Professionals.

The library’s e-services and marketing section won a gold award for design and branding for the Creation Station, a technology, gadget lab and maker’s space. It also took an honorable mention for the BCL Mean Business campaign.

The competition put the library’s team of five up against advertising agencies, public relations firms, design shops, production companies and corporate market- ing and communication departments. Six-thousand entries from 34 countries vied for the honors.

To say the staff is excited to receive the recognition is an understatement, said Stephen Grubb, e-services manager.

“We have a good, strong marketing team that’s always done a good job. This was an opportunity to stand out because of the uniqueness of the project and the branding we were able to do,” Grubb said.

To launch the Creation Station at the Main Library in Fort Lauderdale two years ago, the group worked for six months. The space resembled a glass cube and was very plain, Grubb said.

To make a statement, the team designed logos that conveyed technology with gears and circuitry. Brightly-colored walls compli- ment canvas panels that carry the logo.

Transparent window decals attract attention. A bank of 3D printers sits prominently in display glass where patrons can watch the printing process.

“When people walk in the thing that grabs them is the high-tech look,” said Bob Anstett, coordinator for digital initiatives. “It gives a very modern, moving feeling ... and shows people this is a space to

come in. pening.”

Comfortable seating in the back of the room encourages conversation. It invites people to sit or delve into projects, Anstett said.

In addition to 3D printers, tools at the Creation Station include virtual reality gear, robotics, audio and

Things

are

hap- video production and computer programming. The most popular resources are the big-screen iMac computers loaded with design and editing software.

The Creation Station’s next phase will tie in with BCL Mean Business campaign featuring dedicated space serving job seekers and entrepreneurs with workshops, meeting rooms and technology will open in the spring.

“We really want people to find out about what we’re offering, especially people who haven’t been to the library in a while,” Grubb said. “Libraries are transforming and offering things we could have never imagined 10 years ago.”

For information, visit Broward.org/Library/CreationStation.

Helen Wolt can be reached at hwolt@tribpub.com.