Libraries have always been more than buildings full of books. They’re accessible, welcoming spaces where people of all ages and backgrounds can learn, explore, and connect—with ideas, technology, and each other.
The Chattanooga Public Library is no exception. From local weddings to city-wide celebrations, it has become a vibrant hub of culture, creativity, and connection.
And under the guidance of Head of Marketing and PR, Christina Sacco, the team has found new, modern ways to showcase all the library has to offer.
One of their go-to tools is Simple Booth HALO®—a modern iPad photo booth solution featuring studio-quality lighting, customizable branding, and instant sharing. HALO helps the library capture the energy and diversity of its events and programs and share that story with the wider community.
Not Just a Photo Booth
Christina first discovered Simple Booth HALO in an unexpected place: an arcade bar in another city. “It was just in their little arcade-y area,” she recalled, “and I was like—this is exactly the kind of setup we need.”
At the time, she was looking for a way to create more visual content without adding pressure to her lean marketing team. HALO offered the perfect solution. “It’s such an effective tool,” she said. “It’s like having a really skilled social media person on-site—encouraging interaction, not just taking photos.”
“It’s such an effective tool. It’s like having a really skilled social media person on-site—encouraging interaction, not just taking photos.”
– Christina Sacco, Head of Marketing & PR
The Chattanooga Public Library now has three HALO booths in rotation:
- One permanently installed at the downtown branch
- One shared between four neighborhood locations
- One dedicated to outreach and off-site events
With three HALOs in the mix across branch locations, Christina’s team unlocked a new way to scale their marketing efforts—while engaging their community and having fun in the process.
The Library “Making Shhh Happen”
At the Chattanooga Public Library, marketing isn’t just about getting the word out—it’s about sparking connection, creativity, and genuine community pride.
Christina and her team have expanded their storytelling across platforms—from Instagram posts and YouTube videos to a proposed city-wide digital billboard campaign. For the billboards, she’s already imagining how to make it participatory: “Want to see yourself on a billboard? Come use our photo booth.”
They’ve also leaned into audio with a series of clever, “postable” radio commercials—short, personality-driven ads designed for sharing. While not created with HALO, the tone and branding align closely with the library’s photo booth experience, often borrowing from the same visual elements and sticker themes.
HALO also plays a key role in the library’s growing outreach efforts—with more than 170 events and 13,000+ attendees in just six months. For Christina, each event is an opportunity to make the experience feel tailored and memorable.
“For things like our new partnership with a local observatory, I made a preset and stickers that are just for that,” she said. “It makes the experience feel special.”
From Dance Breaks to “I Dos”
Spoiler alert: it didn’t take long for HALO to become a hit.
At one neighborhood branch, the booth has become a magnet for kids who gather after school. “They’re enraptured by the photo booth,” Christina said. “They use it to show off their dance moves—but also to show off what they’re making in the library.”
Those unscripted, joyful moments add depth to the experience. “It becomes this added layer to what you’re doing and how you see yourself,” she explained. “I feel like the meaning is sinking in a little deeper for these kids.”
“It becomes this added layer to what you’re doing and how you see yourself.”
– Christina Sacco, Head of Marketing & PR
And it’s not just kids. HALO is also helping capture another kind of magic—in-house weddings that are as joyful as they are unexpected in a library setting. The photos are sweet, sometimes spontaneous, and always meaningful.
These moments go beyond fun—they tell a deeper story of community, inclusion, and belonging.
The Chattanooga Public Library’s photo gallery offers a vibrant window into how they’re celebrating their community in all its creativity, diversity, and joy.
The Proof is in the Photos
For a small but mighty team, HALO has become more than a content tool—it’s a bridge between storytelling, connection, and scale.
“Capturing and curating visual content is almost a full-time job,” Christina said. “This fills in the gap of a whole other employee.”
It’s also a perfect fit for the library’s privacy-first values. “With HALO, guests take a photo and send it to themselves—that’s an opt-in,” she explained. “We don’t have to chase down permission to share it later.”
From Instagram and TikTok to YouTube and Facebook, the Chattanooga Public Library’s stories are making an impression. More than 8,900 Instagram followers engage with candid snapshots and playful Reels, while a HALO selfie compilation on YouTube captures the spirit of the library—bright, fun, and unmistakably Chattanooga.
The internal impact is just as real. Christina regularly includes HALO photos in city council presentations. “It’s proof of concept,” she said. “When you have real photos of your community engaging with your programs—it’s powerful.”
“It’s proof of concept. When you have real photos of your community engaging with your programs—it’s powerful.”
– Christina Sacco, Head of Marketing & PR
That success has sparked the next chapter: making HALO even more accessible and staff-friendly across all branches.
The Next Chapter in Boosting Engagement
With staff training underway and new campaigns on the horizon, Christina is continuing to explore how HALO fits into the library’s broader vision.
One key focus: making it even easier for staff of all ages to set up and run the booth independently, without needing hands-on support from her team. “If I could do something on my end to make it easier for staff to use the booth—that would be great,” Christina explained.
That wish is now a reality. Simple Booth recently launched a new Devices page, allowing Christina to monitor and manage booths across locations—including launching photo experiences remotely.
She’s also experimenting with ways to boost in-library engagement through tools like live gallery feeds, TV displays, and even custom rugs that direct visitors to the photo booth—a small touch that’s making a big impact.
“The rugs increased usage at our Downtown Library by at least 300%,” Christina said.
It’s all part of a bigger mission: making the photo booth experience feel more accessible, more visible, and more connected to the people who use it.
Not Just a Library–Their Library
The Chattanooga Public Library isn’t quietly innovating—they’re making noise in the best way. With a bold brand voice, vibrant visuals, and a clear sense of purpose, their marketing proves that libraries can be cultural powerhouses.
With Simple Booth HALO as one of many creative tools in their arsenal, the library is sparking connection and turning everyday moments into shareable stories. “It’s not just a library—it’s my library,” Christina said.
“It’s not just a library—it’s my library.”
– Christina Sacco, Head of Marketing & PR
In a time when access, creativity, and community matter more than ever, libraries like Chattanooga’s are reminding us what’s possible—even with limited resources.
Their work highlights the important role public libraries play in shaping inclusive, connected communities. It’s a great reminder to celebrate and support the spaces that help us all grow.
Looking for fresh ways to connect with your audience and promote your programs?