If you want to develop new marketing strategies but don't have the money to hire a professional or buy the equipment necessary to take advantage of newer online media then you may want to check out the new Digital Media Lab at Skokie Public Library. Here you can experiment with the best equipment and top notch software to work on a flyer, a website, a video, a radio spot or a podcast for your company.

The Digital Media Lab contains four new Apple desktop computers loaded with software to create digital videos, music, photography, websites, graphic design, podcasts, presentations and other forms of digital media. The room also features two scanners, an electronic keyboard, and a green screen wall. Digital cameras, Flip video camcorders, portable hard drives, and tripods are also available for overnight checkout.

Some of the software available includes: InDesign CS4, Photoshop CS4, Flash CS4 Professional, iMovie, Garage Band, Final Cut 4, and much more. The cost to use this lab and equipment? The Digital Media Lab is free for Skokie Public Library card holders and users can make 2-hour reservations. If you don't have one already, all Skokie Chamber members can sign up for a Skokie Public Library card. Call 847-673-7774 for information on getting one. For help in using this equipment, a group workshop or one-on-one tutorial with a Library technology assistant can be requested on the Digital Media Lab website dml.skokielibrary.info. This website also provides information on a number of tutorials and books available to help you learn to use the software.

Of course you still have to come up with your own ideas.  You may want to visit the websites Ad*Access scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/adaccess/ or Advertising World advertising.utexas.edu/world/ for tips and examples of advertising that has proved successful in the past. You might be surprised at how creative you can be by simply modifying some ideas used before.

For more information on this or other business resources contact Mike Buhmann, the Business Librarian at Skokie Public Library at mbuhmann@skokielibrary.info or 847-324-3176.