Search

This study analyzes the presence of marketing-related job duties in public and academic library job listings and the experience required for these positions in order to better understand how libraries currently embrace marketing. A content analysis was performed on job listings from the American Library Association (ALA) JobLIST. The findings revealed 37% of job listings included marketing-related content, while only 11% of those listings also included stated experience or training in the marketing field. The findings will be of interest to library administrators looking to improve marketing strategies within their library without compromising the productivity of other library activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article has as its theme the librarian social media strategist, considering aspects of digital marketing for sociodigital inclusion in public libraries. It presents some elements of an ongoing research that has as a starting question to know how the public library has been developing strategies for sociodigial inclusion, through the introduction of social media, considering aspects of digital marketing. The general objective is to investigate aspects and possibilities of a strategist librarian on digital social media as a contemporary element of sociodigial inclusion. This research is exploratory and descriptive, with a qualitative and quantitative approach, and a methodology of multiple case studies with the application of digital social network and bibliographical evaluation method. The results present the first stage of the complete study, which is underway. In this way, it highlights the essential aspects to approach digital marketing in public libraries and the proposition of the concept that addresses the potential of strategist librarians on digital social media. At the end, it considers relevant, in the field of Librarianship and Information Science, as the new discussion concept, the strategist librarian serving as an inspiration for broadening the debate on the theme that articulates digital marketing as a subsidy for the development of public policies of information for sociodigital inclusion in public libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of library promotional methods on clients' use of library services and resources using a checklist and a questionnaire is studied. The target population was the clients of Central Library of Astan Quds Razavi, one of the greatest ancient public libraries in Iran and the Islamic world. It was found that the methods of traditional advertising and electronic direct marketing have a greater effect on using library services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the nontraditional approach to marketing taken by San Antonio Public Library (SAPL). Topics covered include an in-house boutique agency comprised of specialists in media, public and community relations, graphic design, marketing, and communications strategy that the library has employed, the innovative ideas that these non-librarians have brought to the library, and the marketing plan for the library that its marketing team has created.

This article explores the progress being made in Ontario for marketing, advocacy, influence, and results about the high impact and value of the over 300 library systems in the province. It covers the challenges we face, our goals, and our tactics and strategies to collaborate and achieve results on a province-wide scale. We are building our skills by understanding the components of good marketing communication processes, its foundation in relationships and influence, and how to take data and statistics and transform them into powerful narratives, visuals, and talking points that have an impact on audience and help with progress towards advocacy goals. This is a new early stage case study of the Ontario Public Libraries strategies for building these lobbying processes, gaining community input and support, and building province-wide collaboration and effort using affordable and powerful social media tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the role of public libraries in the dissemination of health information in the southern part of Botswana, namely, Kgatleng and Kweneng districts. It also explored how these libraries market health information services to the community they serve. The study also used health information acquisition model to get an understanding on how public library users seek health information.Design/methodology/approach The survey research design was chosen for the study and purposive sampling procedure was used to obtain the sample size of the population. The sample size consisted of 120 respondents and six interviewees. Data were collected from both library staff and users using questionnaires and interviews.Findings The results of the study showed that public libraries are striving to provide accurate and useful health information to members of the community by collecting and availing both print and electronic health information sources. The findings further indicated that public libraries have marketing programmes that they use on raising awareness of health information to their clientele. The marketing programmes include outreach, library brochures/leaflets, newsletters and library exhibitions. The results of the study also showed that there were some challenges that hindered the library users to access and use health information (e.g. lack of appropriateness of information resources and limited number of health information sources).Originality/value For a better dissemination of health information, public libraries should establish working relationships with health agencies and communication organisations or media houses with the objective of cooperative developments of collections, referrals and shared training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marketing can be a powerful tool for public libraries. However, to realize marketing’s potential, it must be understood. Unfortunately, “Marketing is a term used by librarians to mean many different things and therefore has become confusing” (Doucett 2008, 1). Replacing confusion with clarity, which is especially important if the goal of marketing is to elicit financial and other support, requires answering two questions: What is marketing, and what is required for marketing to deliver the benefits it is capable of? Answers are sought before when marketing came “to mean many different things and … become confusing.” [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses the concept of the murals of Max and the Wild Things, from the book "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak, depicted at the Richland Library in South Carolina. Topics discussed include the branding technique in public libraries, a description of the main library where the paired murals called pylons or gateway murals of the Wild Things are located, and the intrapsychic challenges of children represented in the book.

Stakeholder theory is directly related to disciplines such as marketing and to trends such as citizen participation, both vital to the current situation of the public libraries of the XXI century. Our aim has been to define a relationship model showing the leading stakeholders for these institutions. Having established the theoretical framework, the stakeholder concept is defined and its applicability to the library environment is described. Afterwards the three phases that constitute the model are detailed: identification, prioritization and relationship with stakeholders. Finally, a series of practical examples is presented. The conclusion is that stakeholder models must be based on scientific research, and must adapt and apply interest group techniques and principles that truly build relationships between stakeholders and the library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collective bargaining techniques, situation analysis and a marketing plan implemented in a public library are discussed. The library, located in a neighborhood that has long been considered marginal, is part of the transformation plan for the district. With the implementation of the business strategies set out in this article, we have managed to turn the library into an influential resource for the neighborhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a framework for understanding how to gain financial support for public libraries. While patron support is key to marketing any library, understanding the context in which public funds are allocated to library functions is a key driver to the financial success of the library. The framework is illustrated for four settings: (1) Glasgow, Scotland, (2) Montréal, Canada, (3) Puebla, México, and (4) Albany, New York. This comparative perspective highlights how subtle shades of differences in financial support structures influence the portfolio of services provided and patrons served. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The public library of Biel has been faced with the stagnation of library frequentation and the declining lending for the last three years. A process policy named 'move it' was initialised after a workshop with the entire library staff and the foundation council. In the course of the project the library wants to develop and implement new perspectives. 'move it' is based on the cooperation of the entire staff, local politicians, users, non-users, pupils, students and families (with a migration background). 'move it' has its own website documenting the progress and the results of the project. The library uses the 'learning organisation model' to achieve continuous improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents abstracts related to library and information studies which include a study on the collaboration between special education teachers and library staff, marketing strategies employed by Quezon City Public Library in the Philippines, and awareness towards copyright and plagiarism.

The article discusses collections of livres d'artistes, a category which includes illustrated books and artist's books, in French public libraries. Particular focus is given to the acquisition, cataloguing, and promotion of such collections. According to the author, collections of livres d'artistes often lack visibility and require special efforts at promotion. It is suggested that more accurate subject indexing and better training for library professionals could improve promotion.

The article reports on a public library community outreach initiative in Milan, Italy, which primarily targets children, young adults, and foreigners and ethnic minorities. Various marketing activities and cultural programs are described, including "Living Library," a marketing initiative, "Animateca," designed to attract teenagers interested in audiovisual media production, and "Let Us Surf Together," a program for Internet and digital information literacy education.

The article discusses the planning and marketing strategies used to promote "Timberland Reads Together (TRT) 2010," a community reading program from Timberland Regional Library (TRL) in Tumwater, Washington. The author covers how the program developed without grant funding and a staff with limited online marketing experience. Suggestions for creating a similar program include using social media to advertise, connecting with colleges and high schools, and partnering with similar organizations.

The article discusses the importance of knowing ones identity in teaching about libraries to students. It notes that the expectations for librarians to develop teaching expertise have heightened and they find themselves faced with the demand to connect with students, to make libraries and information literacy knowledge significant, and to create learning opportunities that are memorable and long-lasting. It suggests that librarians should identify their personal qualities to be used in teaching.

The article offers the author's insights on how to help market the library as the information hub of the institution. He discusses the use of technology in marketing and giving information about the importance of library to the community. In addition, the author also relates his experience of marketing a public library to his wife which have legitimate gripes and issues.

Electronic resources are one of the last collections in a public library to receive attention for usage and for promotions. Oftentimes their statistics go unnoticed as well. An effort is needed to consciously study, track, and evaluate the usage of these resources. Then a library can focus on educating the staff and patrons regarding the existence and use of these resources. This paper details the steps involved in initiating, conducting, and financing a marketing campaign for education and promotion of electronic resources for a public library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor and president discuss various reports within the issue on topics including a new editorial column on discovery and duration, articles on public libraries marketing, and the successful usage of databases.