Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Lanyards, Wearing

One way to judge the quality of a library conference or meeting is to check out the lanyards that are provided to registrants. Lanyards come in a variety of styles: the stretchy, the logo-emblazoned, the too-long, the too-short. The ones that dip your name badge into your soup. The two-ended shoestring style. The looped ones with clips. The ones that make people lean in uncomfortably close while trying to read your name. And the ones that always twist around backwards.

Defining what makes a quality lanyard is a matter of personal preference.

If you find one you like, hang on to it, and wear it at any subsequent conferences you attend. Traveling with your own favorite lanyard is one of the subtle, yet distinct, details that say to the world, "Yes, I'm a librarian."

If that's not enough, the world can just read your name badge.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

One year I got so sick of people trying to sell things to my big-anonymous-private university that I left off my institution name and just put my initials instead of my name.
Wouldn't you know it that one librarian called me out. She was like, "What is your name?" "Why did you put your intials."

I thought - jeez you just can't escape them - g-d nosy, moralistic librarians (said with affection of course!)

Anonymous said...

Please excuse the grammatical and spelling mistakes above. I wrote it pre-coffee

Anonymous said...

We get so many creepy people in here I specifically requested "Staff" put on my badge. Now it's a requirement you have to have your freakin' name put on it so every scumbag can act as if they are your buddies. I wanted to ask for F**K YOU as my name but I figured I need my paycheck.

Anonymous said...

My name badge has my name on the back and position on the front, with my picture. I was happy to get a badge holder (with library logo on one side) so I could still wear the badge like I'm supposed to but not have it visible to everyone.

I wish more lanyards were adjustable, so us not-so-tall people could wear them at a better length. This prompts the question: where should the badge hit you--chest, stomach or other (asuuming it's on a lanyard)?

Anonymous said...

My library recently switched to name badges with lanyards. The lanyards they purchased have our name on them, but instead of embroidery, it's paint. Orange paint that rubs off. Yes, on clothing. 100+ useless lanyards now. Whee!!!

Anonymous said...

I want to share a great post about my favorite coffee mug!

Custom Lanyards said...

Custom Lanyards are great promotional products and when used correctly can help to promote awareness for medical or humanitarian causes around the world. They are also quite useful as key rings or ID Badge holders.

Florida Webdesign said...

We love promotional products and are always open to the latest greatest nifty little accessories to help promote our services.

Florida SEO said...

Custom lanyards are a great item to hold your ID badges while attending SEO conferences and networking. I love the free give a ways at these events.

Ocala Classifieds said...

We arrange for a promotional give a way each year around the holidays to our special guests and visitors who place adds on your website. Just a nice way to say Thanks for stopping by.

Katja said...

A lot of people recognize a promotional potential lanyards have. I get a lot of e-mails from people asking about them, so I thought to put a category on my promotional products web site. You can put your logo or your business' slogan on them, or you can attach a plate with your name or business. Lanyards are not expensive, but are very effective in spreading the word.

Anonymous said...

A lot of people approach me because I resolutely refuse to don either badge or lanyard. "Are you truly a librarian?" they query, confused by my staunch rejection of affiliatory insignia.

And, you know what? As a result, I get crazy librarian pussy. No joke. Crazy.