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1
Current Trends and Promotional Strategies
for Libraries And Its Services
ByVirginia I Caintic
Director Learning and Information CenterUniversity of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
2
Definitions of Promotion
1 It is a communication used to inform persuade and or remind people about an organization or individualrsquos goods services image ideas community involvement or impact on society (Zikmund amp drsquoAmico 2001)
2 It is a term used to describe ldquosalesrdquo communication ndashthe messages and vehicles are used to let the customer know what products and services are available It includes advertising direct marketing personal selling sale promotions and public relations
3
Definitions of Promotion
3 It is anything libraries do to let the community know who they are and what they do
4 It is to keep the product in the minds of the customer and helps stimulate demand for product
5 It is the 4th ldquoPrdquo of the marketing mix
4
Purpose of Promotion
To increase customer awareness both of
the products and knowledge about the products desirable features and
benefits
5
Benefits of Promotion
1 Increase usage
2 Increase value in the organization
3 Education of users
4 Change perception
6
Through promotion it allows
the users to know what are the
library resources and services
that the librarians have to offer
7
What are to be promoted in the Library
1 Library Collections
2 Exhibits
3 New services
4 ProgramsCollaboration
5 Outreach activities
6 Virtual library
7 More good ideas
8
What are the LIBRARY PRODUCTS
Library products include physical goods services experiences events persons places properties organizations information and ideas
9
In the library a product or service
is anything that the library or
information service is offering or
could offer that would be of
benefit to the users and
potential users
10
LIBRARY PRODUCTS
Services Resources Programs Events Facilities Instructions
11
What are the LIBRARY SERVICES
1 Provision of resources and encouragement for lifelong learning
2 Provision of a place for a all ages to gather and learn
3 Offering adult young adult and childrenrsquos programming
4 Development and circulation of collections of print and multi-media materials
5 Provision of local regional state-wide and national access to resources
6 Provision of reference and research resources services and collections
7 Offering of remote services such as 247 reference customer account handling genealogy information and access to eBooks
12
LIBRARY SERVICEShellip
8 Provision of access to online local information resources and databases and guidance in selection of Web resources
9 Training in use of online and print resources to contribute to information literacy
10 Promotion of information social and cultural literacy
11 Working with local schools to support curriculum
12 Introducing children to reading13 Working with literacy programs14 Maintenance of archives of local historical
resources
13
ldquoWe often take these products for granted or assume that the users place the same value on them that we dordquo
ldquoTry looking at library products from the usersrsquo viewpoint If yoursquove been working in a library for a long time refresh your memory ldquo
14
ldquoConcentrate your promotion
efforts where they will achieve
the best resultsrdquo
15
Visit a library that yoursquove never used before and consider these questions
1 Howrsquos the signagemdashcan you tell by looking around what services are available
2 Is it easy to find stuff3 Is it clear where you should go for help4 Can you find every department without having to
ask5 Do you understand the arrangement of the
collection6 Is it easier at the bookstore7 Are you comfortable8 Do you enjoy being there
16
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Personal selling Face-to-face interactions with one or more prospective users for the purpose of generating increased activity In a library context this will include the so-called ldquoacademic detailingrdquo ndash one-to-one meetings with new or
existing staff to brief them about a specific project or service
Advertising An informative or persuasive message carried by a nonpersonal medium and paid for by an identified sponsor whose organization or product is identified in some way
Public relations and publicity Programmes designed to promote andor protect a companyrsquos image or those of its products including product literature exhibitions and articles in professional or in-house newsletters
17
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Direct marketing The use of mail telephone or other non-personal contact tools to communicate with or solicit a response from specific customers and prospects
Trials and service promotion Short-term incentives to encourage trial or purchase of a product or service such as discounted rates for services over a limited time period
Sponsorship Financial or external support of an event or person by an unrelated organization or donor such as is common in respect of the arts sports and charities
18
Promotional Strategies
19
What is promotional strategy
Promotional strategy operates synergistically with market research in an iterative feedback loop whereby the constantly changing requirements of users are responded to by promotional activities that target (or even anticipate) these expressed needs
Such activities need to be managed They can require the allocation and expenditure of resources whether physical (promotional products) or intangible (staff time or use of existing facilities) As such they cannot simply be allowed to grow organically ndash they require shaping and direction via a promotional strategy
20
OBJECTIVES OF PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY
1 To provide information and educate users
2 To increase demand usage and value in the organization
3 To differentiate the product
4 To accentuate the value of the productservice
5 To stabilize existing activity levels
21
Factors that will help you to determine an appropriate promotional mix include
bull The availability of budgetbull The marketing messagebull The complexity of the product or servicebull Market size and locationbull Distribution of the productbull The stage in the product life-cyclebull Competition
22
Basic Promotional Strategies
bull Push strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to marketing intermediaries with the aim of pushing the product through the channel of distribution
bull Pull strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to the ultimate consumer with the aim of stimulating demand and thus pulling the product through the channel of distribution
23
Promotional campaign is a part of a
firmrsquos promotional mix just as
a military campaign is a portion
of a total war effort
24
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
1 Image building ndash intended to communicate an image and generate user preference for a brand or product on the basis of symbiotic value What do users think of when they hear the word library Is it a positive image Library usersrsquo perceptions and feelings about libraries affect everything we do to market services
2 Product differentiation ndash focused on some dimension of the product that competing brands do not offer or accents some way in which using the product provides the solution to a user problem
25
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
3 Positioning ndash involves establishing the image of the library as it functions within the community It promotes a brandrsquos competitive position is often the focal point of promotional campaigns
Questions What is the libraryrsquos ldquopositionrdquomdashhow are you seen
Is the library considered an active and necessary part
of community life
How is the library viewed in comparison to other agencies or institutions
4 Direct response- a promotional approach intended to elicit a direct measurable response such as an order
26
Methods of image building
Branding ndash is an association of ideas associating the library name the name of library service or product (eg Term Paper Counseling) symbols logos or slogan (eg graphic of an open book consistent design of publications etc These are elements give a product or service its own personality and establish an association in the mind of the user
Visioning ndash What is the libraryrsquos vision for the future Has this been addressed in library planning and in the marketing plan Communicate your vision of the library to the community providing an image of the library as a changing organization that is art of an evolution in information access
27
HOW DO YOU PACKAGE A PROMOTION
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
2
Definitions of Promotion
1 It is a communication used to inform persuade and or remind people about an organization or individualrsquos goods services image ideas community involvement or impact on society (Zikmund amp drsquoAmico 2001)
2 It is a term used to describe ldquosalesrdquo communication ndashthe messages and vehicles are used to let the customer know what products and services are available It includes advertising direct marketing personal selling sale promotions and public relations
3
Definitions of Promotion
3 It is anything libraries do to let the community know who they are and what they do
4 It is to keep the product in the minds of the customer and helps stimulate demand for product
5 It is the 4th ldquoPrdquo of the marketing mix
4
Purpose of Promotion
To increase customer awareness both of
the products and knowledge about the products desirable features and
benefits
5
Benefits of Promotion
1 Increase usage
2 Increase value in the organization
3 Education of users
4 Change perception
6
Through promotion it allows
the users to know what are the
library resources and services
that the librarians have to offer
7
What are to be promoted in the Library
1 Library Collections
2 Exhibits
3 New services
4 ProgramsCollaboration
5 Outreach activities
6 Virtual library
7 More good ideas
8
What are the LIBRARY PRODUCTS
Library products include physical goods services experiences events persons places properties organizations information and ideas
9
In the library a product or service
is anything that the library or
information service is offering or
could offer that would be of
benefit to the users and
potential users
10
LIBRARY PRODUCTS
Services Resources Programs Events Facilities Instructions
11
What are the LIBRARY SERVICES
1 Provision of resources and encouragement for lifelong learning
2 Provision of a place for a all ages to gather and learn
3 Offering adult young adult and childrenrsquos programming
4 Development and circulation of collections of print and multi-media materials
5 Provision of local regional state-wide and national access to resources
6 Provision of reference and research resources services and collections
7 Offering of remote services such as 247 reference customer account handling genealogy information and access to eBooks
12
LIBRARY SERVICEShellip
8 Provision of access to online local information resources and databases and guidance in selection of Web resources
9 Training in use of online and print resources to contribute to information literacy
10 Promotion of information social and cultural literacy
11 Working with local schools to support curriculum
12 Introducing children to reading13 Working with literacy programs14 Maintenance of archives of local historical
resources
13
ldquoWe often take these products for granted or assume that the users place the same value on them that we dordquo
ldquoTry looking at library products from the usersrsquo viewpoint If yoursquove been working in a library for a long time refresh your memory ldquo
14
ldquoConcentrate your promotion
efforts where they will achieve
the best resultsrdquo
15
Visit a library that yoursquove never used before and consider these questions
1 Howrsquos the signagemdashcan you tell by looking around what services are available
2 Is it easy to find stuff3 Is it clear where you should go for help4 Can you find every department without having to
ask5 Do you understand the arrangement of the
collection6 Is it easier at the bookstore7 Are you comfortable8 Do you enjoy being there
16
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Personal selling Face-to-face interactions with one or more prospective users for the purpose of generating increased activity In a library context this will include the so-called ldquoacademic detailingrdquo ndash one-to-one meetings with new or
existing staff to brief them about a specific project or service
Advertising An informative or persuasive message carried by a nonpersonal medium and paid for by an identified sponsor whose organization or product is identified in some way
Public relations and publicity Programmes designed to promote andor protect a companyrsquos image or those of its products including product literature exhibitions and articles in professional or in-house newsletters
17
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Direct marketing The use of mail telephone or other non-personal contact tools to communicate with or solicit a response from specific customers and prospects
Trials and service promotion Short-term incentives to encourage trial or purchase of a product or service such as discounted rates for services over a limited time period
Sponsorship Financial or external support of an event or person by an unrelated organization or donor such as is common in respect of the arts sports and charities
18
Promotional Strategies
19
What is promotional strategy
Promotional strategy operates synergistically with market research in an iterative feedback loop whereby the constantly changing requirements of users are responded to by promotional activities that target (or even anticipate) these expressed needs
Such activities need to be managed They can require the allocation and expenditure of resources whether physical (promotional products) or intangible (staff time or use of existing facilities) As such they cannot simply be allowed to grow organically ndash they require shaping and direction via a promotional strategy
20
OBJECTIVES OF PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY
1 To provide information and educate users
2 To increase demand usage and value in the organization
3 To differentiate the product
4 To accentuate the value of the productservice
5 To stabilize existing activity levels
21
Factors that will help you to determine an appropriate promotional mix include
bull The availability of budgetbull The marketing messagebull The complexity of the product or servicebull Market size and locationbull Distribution of the productbull The stage in the product life-cyclebull Competition
22
Basic Promotional Strategies
bull Push strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to marketing intermediaries with the aim of pushing the product through the channel of distribution
bull Pull strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to the ultimate consumer with the aim of stimulating demand and thus pulling the product through the channel of distribution
23
Promotional campaign is a part of a
firmrsquos promotional mix just as
a military campaign is a portion
of a total war effort
24
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
1 Image building ndash intended to communicate an image and generate user preference for a brand or product on the basis of symbiotic value What do users think of when they hear the word library Is it a positive image Library usersrsquo perceptions and feelings about libraries affect everything we do to market services
2 Product differentiation ndash focused on some dimension of the product that competing brands do not offer or accents some way in which using the product provides the solution to a user problem
25
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
3 Positioning ndash involves establishing the image of the library as it functions within the community It promotes a brandrsquos competitive position is often the focal point of promotional campaigns
Questions What is the libraryrsquos ldquopositionrdquomdashhow are you seen
Is the library considered an active and necessary part
of community life
How is the library viewed in comparison to other agencies or institutions
4 Direct response- a promotional approach intended to elicit a direct measurable response such as an order
26
Methods of image building
Branding ndash is an association of ideas associating the library name the name of library service or product (eg Term Paper Counseling) symbols logos or slogan (eg graphic of an open book consistent design of publications etc These are elements give a product or service its own personality and establish an association in the mind of the user
Visioning ndash What is the libraryrsquos vision for the future Has this been addressed in library planning and in the marketing plan Communicate your vision of the library to the community providing an image of the library as a changing organization that is art of an evolution in information access
27
HOW DO YOU PACKAGE A PROMOTION
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
3
Definitions of Promotion
3 It is anything libraries do to let the community know who they are and what they do
4 It is to keep the product in the minds of the customer and helps stimulate demand for product
5 It is the 4th ldquoPrdquo of the marketing mix
4
Purpose of Promotion
To increase customer awareness both of
the products and knowledge about the products desirable features and
benefits
5
Benefits of Promotion
1 Increase usage
2 Increase value in the organization
3 Education of users
4 Change perception
6
Through promotion it allows
the users to know what are the
library resources and services
that the librarians have to offer
7
What are to be promoted in the Library
1 Library Collections
2 Exhibits
3 New services
4 ProgramsCollaboration
5 Outreach activities
6 Virtual library
7 More good ideas
8
What are the LIBRARY PRODUCTS
Library products include physical goods services experiences events persons places properties organizations information and ideas
9
In the library a product or service
is anything that the library or
information service is offering or
could offer that would be of
benefit to the users and
potential users
10
LIBRARY PRODUCTS
Services Resources Programs Events Facilities Instructions
11
What are the LIBRARY SERVICES
1 Provision of resources and encouragement for lifelong learning
2 Provision of a place for a all ages to gather and learn
3 Offering adult young adult and childrenrsquos programming
4 Development and circulation of collections of print and multi-media materials
5 Provision of local regional state-wide and national access to resources
6 Provision of reference and research resources services and collections
7 Offering of remote services such as 247 reference customer account handling genealogy information and access to eBooks
12
LIBRARY SERVICEShellip
8 Provision of access to online local information resources and databases and guidance in selection of Web resources
9 Training in use of online and print resources to contribute to information literacy
10 Promotion of information social and cultural literacy
11 Working with local schools to support curriculum
12 Introducing children to reading13 Working with literacy programs14 Maintenance of archives of local historical
resources
13
ldquoWe often take these products for granted or assume that the users place the same value on them that we dordquo
ldquoTry looking at library products from the usersrsquo viewpoint If yoursquove been working in a library for a long time refresh your memory ldquo
14
ldquoConcentrate your promotion
efforts where they will achieve
the best resultsrdquo
15
Visit a library that yoursquove never used before and consider these questions
1 Howrsquos the signagemdashcan you tell by looking around what services are available
2 Is it easy to find stuff3 Is it clear where you should go for help4 Can you find every department without having to
ask5 Do you understand the arrangement of the
collection6 Is it easier at the bookstore7 Are you comfortable8 Do you enjoy being there
16
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Personal selling Face-to-face interactions with one or more prospective users for the purpose of generating increased activity In a library context this will include the so-called ldquoacademic detailingrdquo ndash one-to-one meetings with new or
existing staff to brief them about a specific project or service
Advertising An informative or persuasive message carried by a nonpersonal medium and paid for by an identified sponsor whose organization or product is identified in some way
Public relations and publicity Programmes designed to promote andor protect a companyrsquos image or those of its products including product literature exhibitions and articles in professional or in-house newsletters
17
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Direct marketing The use of mail telephone or other non-personal contact tools to communicate with or solicit a response from specific customers and prospects
Trials and service promotion Short-term incentives to encourage trial or purchase of a product or service such as discounted rates for services over a limited time period
Sponsorship Financial or external support of an event or person by an unrelated organization or donor such as is common in respect of the arts sports and charities
18
Promotional Strategies
19
What is promotional strategy
Promotional strategy operates synergistically with market research in an iterative feedback loop whereby the constantly changing requirements of users are responded to by promotional activities that target (or even anticipate) these expressed needs
Such activities need to be managed They can require the allocation and expenditure of resources whether physical (promotional products) or intangible (staff time or use of existing facilities) As such they cannot simply be allowed to grow organically ndash they require shaping and direction via a promotional strategy
20
OBJECTIVES OF PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY
1 To provide information and educate users
2 To increase demand usage and value in the organization
3 To differentiate the product
4 To accentuate the value of the productservice
5 To stabilize existing activity levels
21
Factors that will help you to determine an appropriate promotional mix include
bull The availability of budgetbull The marketing messagebull The complexity of the product or servicebull Market size and locationbull Distribution of the productbull The stage in the product life-cyclebull Competition
22
Basic Promotional Strategies
bull Push strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to marketing intermediaries with the aim of pushing the product through the channel of distribution
bull Pull strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to the ultimate consumer with the aim of stimulating demand and thus pulling the product through the channel of distribution
23
Promotional campaign is a part of a
firmrsquos promotional mix just as
a military campaign is a portion
of a total war effort
24
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
1 Image building ndash intended to communicate an image and generate user preference for a brand or product on the basis of symbiotic value What do users think of when they hear the word library Is it a positive image Library usersrsquo perceptions and feelings about libraries affect everything we do to market services
2 Product differentiation ndash focused on some dimension of the product that competing brands do not offer or accents some way in which using the product provides the solution to a user problem
25
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
3 Positioning ndash involves establishing the image of the library as it functions within the community It promotes a brandrsquos competitive position is often the focal point of promotional campaigns
Questions What is the libraryrsquos ldquopositionrdquomdashhow are you seen
Is the library considered an active and necessary part
of community life
How is the library viewed in comparison to other agencies or institutions
4 Direct response- a promotional approach intended to elicit a direct measurable response such as an order
26
Methods of image building
Branding ndash is an association of ideas associating the library name the name of library service or product (eg Term Paper Counseling) symbols logos or slogan (eg graphic of an open book consistent design of publications etc These are elements give a product or service its own personality and establish an association in the mind of the user
Visioning ndash What is the libraryrsquos vision for the future Has this been addressed in library planning and in the marketing plan Communicate your vision of the library to the community providing an image of the library as a changing organization that is art of an evolution in information access
27
HOW DO YOU PACKAGE A PROMOTION
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
4
Purpose of Promotion
To increase customer awareness both of
the products and knowledge about the products desirable features and
benefits
5
Benefits of Promotion
1 Increase usage
2 Increase value in the organization
3 Education of users
4 Change perception
6
Through promotion it allows
the users to know what are the
library resources and services
that the librarians have to offer
7
What are to be promoted in the Library
1 Library Collections
2 Exhibits
3 New services
4 ProgramsCollaboration
5 Outreach activities
6 Virtual library
7 More good ideas
8
What are the LIBRARY PRODUCTS
Library products include physical goods services experiences events persons places properties organizations information and ideas
9
In the library a product or service
is anything that the library or
information service is offering or
could offer that would be of
benefit to the users and
potential users
10
LIBRARY PRODUCTS
Services Resources Programs Events Facilities Instructions
11
What are the LIBRARY SERVICES
1 Provision of resources and encouragement for lifelong learning
2 Provision of a place for a all ages to gather and learn
3 Offering adult young adult and childrenrsquos programming
4 Development and circulation of collections of print and multi-media materials
5 Provision of local regional state-wide and national access to resources
6 Provision of reference and research resources services and collections
7 Offering of remote services such as 247 reference customer account handling genealogy information and access to eBooks
12
LIBRARY SERVICEShellip
8 Provision of access to online local information resources and databases and guidance in selection of Web resources
9 Training in use of online and print resources to contribute to information literacy
10 Promotion of information social and cultural literacy
11 Working with local schools to support curriculum
12 Introducing children to reading13 Working with literacy programs14 Maintenance of archives of local historical
resources
13
ldquoWe often take these products for granted or assume that the users place the same value on them that we dordquo
ldquoTry looking at library products from the usersrsquo viewpoint If yoursquove been working in a library for a long time refresh your memory ldquo
14
ldquoConcentrate your promotion
efforts where they will achieve
the best resultsrdquo
15
Visit a library that yoursquove never used before and consider these questions
1 Howrsquos the signagemdashcan you tell by looking around what services are available
2 Is it easy to find stuff3 Is it clear where you should go for help4 Can you find every department without having to
ask5 Do you understand the arrangement of the
collection6 Is it easier at the bookstore7 Are you comfortable8 Do you enjoy being there
16
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Personal selling Face-to-face interactions with one or more prospective users for the purpose of generating increased activity In a library context this will include the so-called ldquoacademic detailingrdquo ndash one-to-one meetings with new or
existing staff to brief them about a specific project or service
Advertising An informative or persuasive message carried by a nonpersonal medium and paid for by an identified sponsor whose organization or product is identified in some way
Public relations and publicity Programmes designed to promote andor protect a companyrsquos image or those of its products including product literature exhibitions and articles in professional or in-house newsletters
17
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Direct marketing The use of mail telephone or other non-personal contact tools to communicate with or solicit a response from specific customers and prospects
Trials and service promotion Short-term incentives to encourage trial or purchase of a product or service such as discounted rates for services over a limited time period
Sponsorship Financial or external support of an event or person by an unrelated organization or donor such as is common in respect of the arts sports and charities
18
Promotional Strategies
19
What is promotional strategy
Promotional strategy operates synergistically with market research in an iterative feedback loop whereby the constantly changing requirements of users are responded to by promotional activities that target (or even anticipate) these expressed needs
Such activities need to be managed They can require the allocation and expenditure of resources whether physical (promotional products) or intangible (staff time or use of existing facilities) As such they cannot simply be allowed to grow organically ndash they require shaping and direction via a promotional strategy
20
OBJECTIVES OF PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY
1 To provide information and educate users
2 To increase demand usage and value in the organization
3 To differentiate the product
4 To accentuate the value of the productservice
5 To stabilize existing activity levels
21
Factors that will help you to determine an appropriate promotional mix include
bull The availability of budgetbull The marketing messagebull The complexity of the product or servicebull Market size and locationbull Distribution of the productbull The stage in the product life-cyclebull Competition
22
Basic Promotional Strategies
bull Push strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to marketing intermediaries with the aim of pushing the product through the channel of distribution
bull Pull strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to the ultimate consumer with the aim of stimulating demand and thus pulling the product through the channel of distribution
23
Promotional campaign is a part of a
firmrsquos promotional mix just as
a military campaign is a portion
of a total war effort
24
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
1 Image building ndash intended to communicate an image and generate user preference for a brand or product on the basis of symbiotic value What do users think of when they hear the word library Is it a positive image Library usersrsquo perceptions and feelings about libraries affect everything we do to market services
2 Product differentiation ndash focused on some dimension of the product that competing brands do not offer or accents some way in which using the product provides the solution to a user problem
25
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
3 Positioning ndash involves establishing the image of the library as it functions within the community It promotes a brandrsquos competitive position is often the focal point of promotional campaigns
Questions What is the libraryrsquos ldquopositionrdquomdashhow are you seen
Is the library considered an active and necessary part
of community life
How is the library viewed in comparison to other agencies or institutions
4 Direct response- a promotional approach intended to elicit a direct measurable response such as an order
26
Methods of image building
Branding ndash is an association of ideas associating the library name the name of library service or product (eg Term Paper Counseling) symbols logos or slogan (eg graphic of an open book consistent design of publications etc These are elements give a product or service its own personality and establish an association in the mind of the user
Visioning ndash What is the libraryrsquos vision for the future Has this been addressed in library planning and in the marketing plan Communicate your vision of the library to the community providing an image of the library as a changing organization that is art of an evolution in information access
27
HOW DO YOU PACKAGE A PROMOTION
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
5
Benefits of Promotion
1 Increase usage
2 Increase value in the organization
3 Education of users
4 Change perception
6
Through promotion it allows
the users to know what are the
library resources and services
that the librarians have to offer
7
What are to be promoted in the Library
1 Library Collections
2 Exhibits
3 New services
4 ProgramsCollaboration
5 Outreach activities
6 Virtual library
7 More good ideas
8
What are the LIBRARY PRODUCTS
Library products include physical goods services experiences events persons places properties organizations information and ideas
9
In the library a product or service
is anything that the library or
information service is offering or
could offer that would be of
benefit to the users and
potential users
10
LIBRARY PRODUCTS
Services Resources Programs Events Facilities Instructions
11
What are the LIBRARY SERVICES
1 Provision of resources and encouragement for lifelong learning
2 Provision of a place for a all ages to gather and learn
3 Offering adult young adult and childrenrsquos programming
4 Development and circulation of collections of print and multi-media materials
5 Provision of local regional state-wide and national access to resources
6 Provision of reference and research resources services and collections
7 Offering of remote services such as 247 reference customer account handling genealogy information and access to eBooks
12
LIBRARY SERVICEShellip
8 Provision of access to online local information resources and databases and guidance in selection of Web resources
9 Training in use of online and print resources to contribute to information literacy
10 Promotion of information social and cultural literacy
11 Working with local schools to support curriculum
12 Introducing children to reading13 Working with literacy programs14 Maintenance of archives of local historical
resources
13
ldquoWe often take these products for granted or assume that the users place the same value on them that we dordquo
ldquoTry looking at library products from the usersrsquo viewpoint If yoursquove been working in a library for a long time refresh your memory ldquo
14
ldquoConcentrate your promotion
efforts where they will achieve
the best resultsrdquo
15
Visit a library that yoursquove never used before and consider these questions
1 Howrsquos the signagemdashcan you tell by looking around what services are available
2 Is it easy to find stuff3 Is it clear where you should go for help4 Can you find every department without having to
ask5 Do you understand the arrangement of the
collection6 Is it easier at the bookstore7 Are you comfortable8 Do you enjoy being there
16
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Personal selling Face-to-face interactions with one or more prospective users for the purpose of generating increased activity In a library context this will include the so-called ldquoacademic detailingrdquo ndash one-to-one meetings with new or
existing staff to brief them about a specific project or service
Advertising An informative or persuasive message carried by a nonpersonal medium and paid for by an identified sponsor whose organization or product is identified in some way
Public relations and publicity Programmes designed to promote andor protect a companyrsquos image or those of its products including product literature exhibitions and articles in professional or in-house newsletters
17
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Direct marketing The use of mail telephone or other non-personal contact tools to communicate with or solicit a response from specific customers and prospects
Trials and service promotion Short-term incentives to encourage trial or purchase of a product or service such as discounted rates for services over a limited time period
Sponsorship Financial or external support of an event or person by an unrelated organization or donor such as is common in respect of the arts sports and charities
18
Promotional Strategies
19
What is promotional strategy
Promotional strategy operates synergistically with market research in an iterative feedback loop whereby the constantly changing requirements of users are responded to by promotional activities that target (or even anticipate) these expressed needs
Such activities need to be managed They can require the allocation and expenditure of resources whether physical (promotional products) or intangible (staff time or use of existing facilities) As such they cannot simply be allowed to grow organically ndash they require shaping and direction via a promotional strategy
20
OBJECTIVES OF PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY
1 To provide information and educate users
2 To increase demand usage and value in the organization
3 To differentiate the product
4 To accentuate the value of the productservice
5 To stabilize existing activity levels
21
Factors that will help you to determine an appropriate promotional mix include
bull The availability of budgetbull The marketing messagebull The complexity of the product or servicebull Market size and locationbull Distribution of the productbull The stage in the product life-cyclebull Competition
22
Basic Promotional Strategies
bull Push strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to marketing intermediaries with the aim of pushing the product through the channel of distribution
bull Pull strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to the ultimate consumer with the aim of stimulating demand and thus pulling the product through the channel of distribution
23
Promotional campaign is a part of a
firmrsquos promotional mix just as
a military campaign is a portion
of a total war effort
24
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
1 Image building ndash intended to communicate an image and generate user preference for a brand or product on the basis of symbiotic value What do users think of when they hear the word library Is it a positive image Library usersrsquo perceptions and feelings about libraries affect everything we do to market services
2 Product differentiation ndash focused on some dimension of the product that competing brands do not offer or accents some way in which using the product provides the solution to a user problem
25
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
3 Positioning ndash involves establishing the image of the library as it functions within the community It promotes a brandrsquos competitive position is often the focal point of promotional campaigns
Questions What is the libraryrsquos ldquopositionrdquomdashhow are you seen
Is the library considered an active and necessary part
of community life
How is the library viewed in comparison to other agencies or institutions
4 Direct response- a promotional approach intended to elicit a direct measurable response such as an order
26
Methods of image building
Branding ndash is an association of ideas associating the library name the name of library service or product (eg Term Paper Counseling) symbols logos or slogan (eg graphic of an open book consistent design of publications etc These are elements give a product or service its own personality and establish an association in the mind of the user
Visioning ndash What is the libraryrsquos vision for the future Has this been addressed in library planning and in the marketing plan Communicate your vision of the library to the community providing an image of the library as a changing organization that is art of an evolution in information access
27
HOW DO YOU PACKAGE A PROMOTION
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
6
Through promotion it allows
the users to know what are the
library resources and services
that the librarians have to offer
7
What are to be promoted in the Library
1 Library Collections
2 Exhibits
3 New services
4 ProgramsCollaboration
5 Outreach activities
6 Virtual library
7 More good ideas
8
What are the LIBRARY PRODUCTS
Library products include physical goods services experiences events persons places properties organizations information and ideas
9
In the library a product or service
is anything that the library or
information service is offering or
could offer that would be of
benefit to the users and
potential users
10
LIBRARY PRODUCTS
Services Resources Programs Events Facilities Instructions
11
What are the LIBRARY SERVICES
1 Provision of resources and encouragement for lifelong learning
2 Provision of a place for a all ages to gather and learn
3 Offering adult young adult and childrenrsquos programming
4 Development and circulation of collections of print and multi-media materials
5 Provision of local regional state-wide and national access to resources
6 Provision of reference and research resources services and collections
7 Offering of remote services such as 247 reference customer account handling genealogy information and access to eBooks
12
LIBRARY SERVICEShellip
8 Provision of access to online local information resources and databases and guidance in selection of Web resources
9 Training in use of online and print resources to contribute to information literacy
10 Promotion of information social and cultural literacy
11 Working with local schools to support curriculum
12 Introducing children to reading13 Working with literacy programs14 Maintenance of archives of local historical
resources
13
ldquoWe often take these products for granted or assume that the users place the same value on them that we dordquo
ldquoTry looking at library products from the usersrsquo viewpoint If yoursquove been working in a library for a long time refresh your memory ldquo
14
ldquoConcentrate your promotion
efforts where they will achieve
the best resultsrdquo
15
Visit a library that yoursquove never used before and consider these questions
1 Howrsquos the signagemdashcan you tell by looking around what services are available
2 Is it easy to find stuff3 Is it clear where you should go for help4 Can you find every department without having to
ask5 Do you understand the arrangement of the
collection6 Is it easier at the bookstore7 Are you comfortable8 Do you enjoy being there
16
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Personal selling Face-to-face interactions with one or more prospective users for the purpose of generating increased activity In a library context this will include the so-called ldquoacademic detailingrdquo ndash one-to-one meetings with new or
existing staff to brief them about a specific project or service
Advertising An informative or persuasive message carried by a nonpersonal medium and paid for by an identified sponsor whose organization or product is identified in some way
Public relations and publicity Programmes designed to promote andor protect a companyrsquos image or those of its products including product literature exhibitions and articles in professional or in-house newsletters
17
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Direct marketing The use of mail telephone or other non-personal contact tools to communicate with or solicit a response from specific customers and prospects
Trials and service promotion Short-term incentives to encourage trial or purchase of a product or service such as discounted rates for services over a limited time period
Sponsorship Financial or external support of an event or person by an unrelated organization or donor such as is common in respect of the arts sports and charities
18
Promotional Strategies
19
What is promotional strategy
Promotional strategy operates synergistically with market research in an iterative feedback loop whereby the constantly changing requirements of users are responded to by promotional activities that target (or even anticipate) these expressed needs
Such activities need to be managed They can require the allocation and expenditure of resources whether physical (promotional products) or intangible (staff time or use of existing facilities) As such they cannot simply be allowed to grow organically ndash they require shaping and direction via a promotional strategy
20
OBJECTIVES OF PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY
1 To provide information and educate users
2 To increase demand usage and value in the organization
3 To differentiate the product
4 To accentuate the value of the productservice
5 To stabilize existing activity levels
21
Factors that will help you to determine an appropriate promotional mix include
bull The availability of budgetbull The marketing messagebull The complexity of the product or servicebull Market size and locationbull Distribution of the productbull The stage in the product life-cyclebull Competition
22
Basic Promotional Strategies
bull Push strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to marketing intermediaries with the aim of pushing the product through the channel of distribution
bull Pull strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to the ultimate consumer with the aim of stimulating demand and thus pulling the product through the channel of distribution
23
Promotional campaign is a part of a
firmrsquos promotional mix just as
a military campaign is a portion
of a total war effort
24
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
1 Image building ndash intended to communicate an image and generate user preference for a brand or product on the basis of symbiotic value What do users think of when they hear the word library Is it a positive image Library usersrsquo perceptions and feelings about libraries affect everything we do to market services
2 Product differentiation ndash focused on some dimension of the product that competing brands do not offer or accents some way in which using the product provides the solution to a user problem
25
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
3 Positioning ndash involves establishing the image of the library as it functions within the community It promotes a brandrsquos competitive position is often the focal point of promotional campaigns
Questions What is the libraryrsquos ldquopositionrdquomdashhow are you seen
Is the library considered an active and necessary part
of community life
How is the library viewed in comparison to other agencies or institutions
4 Direct response- a promotional approach intended to elicit a direct measurable response such as an order
26
Methods of image building
Branding ndash is an association of ideas associating the library name the name of library service or product (eg Term Paper Counseling) symbols logos or slogan (eg graphic of an open book consistent design of publications etc These are elements give a product or service its own personality and establish an association in the mind of the user
Visioning ndash What is the libraryrsquos vision for the future Has this been addressed in library planning and in the marketing plan Communicate your vision of the library to the community providing an image of the library as a changing organization that is art of an evolution in information access
27
HOW DO YOU PACKAGE A PROMOTION
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
7
What are to be promoted in the Library
1 Library Collections
2 Exhibits
3 New services
4 ProgramsCollaboration
5 Outreach activities
6 Virtual library
7 More good ideas
8
What are the LIBRARY PRODUCTS
Library products include physical goods services experiences events persons places properties organizations information and ideas
9
In the library a product or service
is anything that the library or
information service is offering or
could offer that would be of
benefit to the users and
potential users
10
LIBRARY PRODUCTS
Services Resources Programs Events Facilities Instructions
11
What are the LIBRARY SERVICES
1 Provision of resources and encouragement for lifelong learning
2 Provision of a place for a all ages to gather and learn
3 Offering adult young adult and childrenrsquos programming
4 Development and circulation of collections of print and multi-media materials
5 Provision of local regional state-wide and national access to resources
6 Provision of reference and research resources services and collections
7 Offering of remote services such as 247 reference customer account handling genealogy information and access to eBooks
12
LIBRARY SERVICEShellip
8 Provision of access to online local information resources and databases and guidance in selection of Web resources
9 Training in use of online and print resources to contribute to information literacy
10 Promotion of information social and cultural literacy
11 Working with local schools to support curriculum
12 Introducing children to reading13 Working with literacy programs14 Maintenance of archives of local historical
resources
13
ldquoWe often take these products for granted or assume that the users place the same value on them that we dordquo
ldquoTry looking at library products from the usersrsquo viewpoint If yoursquove been working in a library for a long time refresh your memory ldquo
14
ldquoConcentrate your promotion
efforts where they will achieve
the best resultsrdquo
15
Visit a library that yoursquove never used before and consider these questions
1 Howrsquos the signagemdashcan you tell by looking around what services are available
2 Is it easy to find stuff3 Is it clear where you should go for help4 Can you find every department without having to
ask5 Do you understand the arrangement of the
collection6 Is it easier at the bookstore7 Are you comfortable8 Do you enjoy being there
16
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Personal selling Face-to-face interactions with one or more prospective users for the purpose of generating increased activity In a library context this will include the so-called ldquoacademic detailingrdquo ndash one-to-one meetings with new or
existing staff to brief them about a specific project or service
Advertising An informative or persuasive message carried by a nonpersonal medium and paid for by an identified sponsor whose organization or product is identified in some way
Public relations and publicity Programmes designed to promote andor protect a companyrsquos image or those of its products including product literature exhibitions and articles in professional or in-house newsletters
17
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Direct marketing The use of mail telephone or other non-personal contact tools to communicate with or solicit a response from specific customers and prospects
Trials and service promotion Short-term incentives to encourage trial or purchase of a product or service such as discounted rates for services over a limited time period
Sponsorship Financial or external support of an event or person by an unrelated organization or donor such as is common in respect of the arts sports and charities
18
Promotional Strategies
19
What is promotional strategy
Promotional strategy operates synergistically with market research in an iterative feedback loop whereby the constantly changing requirements of users are responded to by promotional activities that target (or even anticipate) these expressed needs
Such activities need to be managed They can require the allocation and expenditure of resources whether physical (promotional products) or intangible (staff time or use of existing facilities) As such they cannot simply be allowed to grow organically ndash they require shaping and direction via a promotional strategy
20
OBJECTIVES OF PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY
1 To provide information and educate users
2 To increase demand usage and value in the organization
3 To differentiate the product
4 To accentuate the value of the productservice
5 To stabilize existing activity levels
21
Factors that will help you to determine an appropriate promotional mix include
bull The availability of budgetbull The marketing messagebull The complexity of the product or servicebull Market size and locationbull Distribution of the productbull The stage in the product life-cyclebull Competition
22
Basic Promotional Strategies
bull Push strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to marketing intermediaries with the aim of pushing the product through the channel of distribution
bull Pull strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to the ultimate consumer with the aim of stimulating demand and thus pulling the product through the channel of distribution
23
Promotional campaign is a part of a
firmrsquos promotional mix just as
a military campaign is a portion
of a total war effort
24
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
1 Image building ndash intended to communicate an image and generate user preference for a brand or product on the basis of symbiotic value What do users think of when they hear the word library Is it a positive image Library usersrsquo perceptions and feelings about libraries affect everything we do to market services
2 Product differentiation ndash focused on some dimension of the product that competing brands do not offer or accents some way in which using the product provides the solution to a user problem
25
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
3 Positioning ndash involves establishing the image of the library as it functions within the community It promotes a brandrsquos competitive position is often the focal point of promotional campaigns
Questions What is the libraryrsquos ldquopositionrdquomdashhow are you seen
Is the library considered an active and necessary part
of community life
How is the library viewed in comparison to other agencies or institutions
4 Direct response- a promotional approach intended to elicit a direct measurable response such as an order
26
Methods of image building
Branding ndash is an association of ideas associating the library name the name of library service or product (eg Term Paper Counseling) symbols logos or slogan (eg graphic of an open book consistent design of publications etc These are elements give a product or service its own personality and establish an association in the mind of the user
Visioning ndash What is the libraryrsquos vision for the future Has this been addressed in library planning and in the marketing plan Communicate your vision of the library to the community providing an image of the library as a changing organization that is art of an evolution in information access
27
HOW DO YOU PACKAGE A PROMOTION
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
8
What are the LIBRARY PRODUCTS
Library products include physical goods services experiences events persons places properties organizations information and ideas
9
In the library a product or service
is anything that the library or
information service is offering or
could offer that would be of
benefit to the users and
potential users
10
LIBRARY PRODUCTS
Services Resources Programs Events Facilities Instructions
11
What are the LIBRARY SERVICES
1 Provision of resources and encouragement for lifelong learning
2 Provision of a place for a all ages to gather and learn
3 Offering adult young adult and childrenrsquos programming
4 Development and circulation of collections of print and multi-media materials
5 Provision of local regional state-wide and national access to resources
6 Provision of reference and research resources services and collections
7 Offering of remote services such as 247 reference customer account handling genealogy information and access to eBooks
12
LIBRARY SERVICEShellip
8 Provision of access to online local information resources and databases and guidance in selection of Web resources
9 Training in use of online and print resources to contribute to information literacy
10 Promotion of information social and cultural literacy
11 Working with local schools to support curriculum
12 Introducing children to reading13 Working with literacy programs14 Maintenance of archives of local historical
resources
13
ldquoWe often take these products for granted or assume that the users place the same value on them that we dordquo
ldquoTry looking at library products from the usersrsquo viewpoint If yoursquove been working in a library for a long time refresh your memory ldquo
14
ldquoConcentrate your promotion
efforts where they will achieve
the best resultsrdquo
15
Visit a library that yoursquove never used before and consider these questions
1 Howrsquos the signagemdashcan you tell by looking around what services are available
2 Is it easy to find stuff3 Is it clear where you should go for help4 Can you find every department without having to
ask5 Do you understand the arrangement of the
collection6 Is it easier at the bookstore7 Are you comfortable8 Do you enjoy being there
16
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Personal selling Face-to-face interactions with one or more prospective users for the purpose of generating increased activity In a library context this will include the so-called ldquoacademic detailingrdquo ndash one-to-one meetings with new or
existing staff to brief them about a specific project or service
Advertising An informative or persuasive message carried by a nonpersonal medium and paid for by an identified sponsor whose organization or product is identified in some way
Public relations and publicity Programmes designed to promote andor protect a companyrsquos image or those of its products including product literature exhibitions and articles in professional or in-house newsletters
17
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Direct marketing The use of mail telephone or other non-personal contact tools to communicate with or solicit a response from specific customers and prospects
Trials and service promotion Short-term incentives to encourage trial or purchase of a product or service such as discounted rates for services over a limited time period
Sponsorship Financial or external support of an event or person by an unrelated organization or donor such as is common in respect of the arts sports and charities
18
Promotional Strategies
19
What is promotional strategy
Promotional strategy operates synergistically with market research in an iterative feedback loop whereby the constantly changing requirements of users are responded to by promotional activities that target (or even anticipate) these expressed needs
Such activities need to be managed They can require the allocation and expenditure of resources whether physical (promotional products) or intangible (staff time or use of existing facilities) As such they cannot simply be allowed to grow organically ndash they require shaping and direction via a promotional strategy
20
OBJECTIVES OF PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY
1 To provide information and educate users
2 To increase demand usage and value in the organization
3 To differentiate the product
4 To accentuate the value of the productservice
5 To stabilize existing activity levels
21
Factors that will help you to determine an appropriate promotional mix include
bull The availability of budgetbull The marketing messagebull The complexity of the product or servicebull Market size and locationbull Distribution of the productbull The stage in the product life-cyclebull Competition
22
Basic Promotional Strategies
bull Push strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to marketing intermediaries with the aim of pushing the product through the channel of distribution
bull Pull strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to the ultimate consumer with the aim of stimulating demand and thus pulling the product through the channel of distribution
23
Promotional campaign is a part of a
firmrsquos promotional mix just as
a military campaign is a portion
of a total war effort
24
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
1 Image building ndash intended to communicate an image and generate user preference for a brand or product on the basis of symbiotic value What do users think of when they hear the word library Is it a positive image Library usersrsquo perceptions and feelings about libraries affect everything we do to market services
2 Product differentiation ndash focused on some dimension of the product that competing brands do not offer or accents some way in which using the product provides the solution to a user problem
25
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
3 Positioning ndash involves establishing the image of the library as it functions within the community It promotes a brandrsquos competitive position is often the focal point of promotional campaigns
Questions What is the libraryrsquos ldquopositionrdquomdashhow are you seen
Is the library considered an active and necessary part
of community life
How is the library viewed in comparison to other agencies or institutions
4 Direct response- a promotional approach intended to elicit a direct measurable response such as an order
26
Methods of image building
Branding ndash is an association of ideas associating the library name the name of library service or product (eg Term Paper Counseling) symbols logos or slogan (eg graphic of an open book consistent design of publications etc These are elements give a product or service its own personality and establish an association in the mind of the user
Visioning ndash What is the libraryrsquos vision for the future Has this been addressed in library planning and in the marketing plan Communicate your vision of the library to the community providing an image of the library as a changing organization that is art of an evolution in information access
27
HOW DO YOU PACKAGE A PROMOTION
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
9
In the library a product or service
is anything that the library or
information service is offering or
could offer that would be of
benefit to the users and
potential users
10
LIBRARY PRODUCTS
Services Resources Programs Events Facilities Instructions
11
What are the LIBRARY SERVICES
1 Provision of resources and encouragement for lifelong learning
2 Provision of a place for a all ages to gather and learn
3 Offering adult young adult and childrenrsquos programming
4 Development and circulation of collections of print and multi-media materials
5 Provision of local regional state-wide and national access to resources
6 Provision of reference and research resources services and collections
7 Offering of remote services such as 247 reference customer account handling genealogy information and access to eBooks
12
LIBRARY SERVICEShellip
8 Provision of access to online local information resources and databases and guidance in selection of Web resources
9 Training in use of online and print resources to contribute to information literacy
10 Promotion of information social and cultural literacy
11 Working with local schools to support curriculum
12 Introducing children to reading13 Working with literacy programs14 Maintenance of archives of local historical
resources
13
ldquoWe often take these products for granted or assume that the users place the same value on them that we dordquo
ldquoTry looking at library products from the usersrsquo viewpoint If yoursquove been working in a library for a long time refresh your memory ldquo
14
ldquoConcentrate your promotion
efforts where they will achieve
the best resultsrdquo
15
Visit a library that yoursquove never used before and consider these questions
1 Howrsquos the signagemdashcan you tell by looking around what services are available
2 Is it easy to find stuff3 Is it clear where you should go for help4 Can you find every department without having to
ask5 Do you understand the arrangement of the
collection6 Is it easier at the bookstore7 Are you comfortable8 Do you enjoy being there
16
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Personal selling Face-to-face interactions with one or more prospective users for the purpose of generating increased activity In a library context this will include the so-called ldquoacademic detailingrdquo ndash one-to-one meetings with new or
existing staff to brief them about a specific project or service
Advertising An informative or persuasive message carried by a nonpersonal medium and paid for by an identified sponsor whose organization or product is identified in some way
Public relations and publicity Programmes designed to promote andor protect a companyrsquos image or those of its products including product literature exhibitions and articles in professional or in-house newsletters
17
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Direct marketing The use of mail telephone or other non-personal contact tools to communicate with or solicit a response from specific customers and prospects
Trials and service promotion Short-term incentives to encourage trial or purchase of a product or service such as discounted rates for services over a limited time period
Sponsorship Financial or external support of an event or person by an unrelated organization or donor such as is common in respect of the arts sports and charities
18
Promotional Strategies
19
What is promotional strategy
Promotional strategy operates synergistically with market research in an iterative feedback loop whereby the constantly changing requirements of users are responded to by promotional activities that target (or even anticipate) these expressed needs
Such activities need to be managed They can require the allocation and expenditure of resources whether physical (promotional products) or intangible (staff time or use of existing facilities) As such they cannot simply be allowed to grow organically ndash they require shaping and direction via a promotional strategy
20
OBJECTIVES OF PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY
1 To provide information and educate users
2 To increase demand usage and value in the organization
3 To differentiate the product
4 To accentuate the value of the productservice
5 To stabilize existing activity levels
21
Factors that will help you to determine an appropriate promotional mix include
bull The availability of budgetbull The marketing messagebull The complexity of the product or servicebull Market size and locationbull Distribution of the productbull The stage in the product life-cyclebull Competition
22
Basic Promotional Strategies
bull Push strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to marketing intermediaries with the aim of pushing the product through the channel of distribution
bull Pull strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to the ultimate consumer with the aim of stimulating demand and thus pulling the product through the channel of distribution
23
Promotional campaign is a part of a
firmrsquos promotional mix just as
a military campaign is a portion
of a total war effort
24
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
1 Image building ndash intended to communicate an image and generate user preference for a brand or product on the basis of symbiotic value What do users think of when they hear the word library Is it a positive image Library usersrsquo perceptions and feelings about libraries affect everything we do to market services
2 Product differentiation ndash focused on some dimension of the product that competing brands do not offer or accents some way in which using the product provides the solution to a user problem
25
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
3 Positioning ndash involves establishing the image of the library as it functions within the community It promotes a brandrsquos competitive position is often the focal point of promotional campaigns
Questions What is the libraryrsquos ldquopositionrdquomdashhow are you seen
Is the library considered an active and necessary part
of community life
How is the library viewed in comparison to other agencies or institutions
4 Direct response- a promotional approach intended to elicit a direct measurable response such as an order
26
Methods of image building
Branding ndash is an association of ideas associating the library name the name of library service or product (eg Term Paper Counseling) symbols logos or slogan (eg graphic of an open book consistent design of publications etc These are elements give a product or service its own personality and establish an association in the mind of the user
Visioning ndash What is the libraryrsquos vision for the future Has this been addressed in library planning and in the marketing plan Communicate your vision of the library to the community providing an image of the library as a changing organization that is art of an evolution in information access
27
HOW DO YOU PACKAGE A PROMOTION
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
10
LIBRARY PRODUCTS
Services Resources Programs Events Facilities Instructions
11
What are the LIBRARY SERVICES
1 Provision of resources and encouragement for lifelong learning
2 Provision of a place for a all ages to gather and learn
3 Offering adult young adult and childrenrsquos programming
4 Development and circulation of collections of print and multi-media materials
5 Provision of local regional state-wide and national access to resources
6 Provision of reference and research resources services and collections
7 Offering of remote services such as 247 reference customer account handling genealogy information and access to eBooks
12
LIBRARY SERVICEShellip
8 Provision of access to online local information resources and databases and guidance in selection of Web resources
9 Training in use of online and print resources to contribute to information literacy
10 Promotion of information social and cultural literacy
11 Working with local schools to support curriculum
12 Introducing children to reading13 Working with literacy programs14 Maintenance of archives of local historical
resources
13
ldquoWe often take these products for granted or assume that the users place the same value on them that we dordquo
ldquoTry looking at library products from the usersrsquo viewpoint If yoursquove been working in a library for a long time refresh your memory ldquo
14
ldquoConcentrate your promotion
efforts where they will achieve
the best resultsrdquo
15
Visit a library that yoursquove never used before and consider these questions
1 Howrsquos the signagemdashcan you tell by looking around what services are available
2 Is it easy to find stuff3 Is it clear where you should go for help4 Can you find every department without having to
ask5 Do you understand the arrangement of the
collection6 Is it easier at the bookstore7 Are you comfortable8 Do you enjoy being there
16
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Personal selling Face-to-face interactions with one or more prospective users for the purpose of generating increased activity In a library context this will include the so-called ldquoacademic detailingrdquo ndash one-to-one meetings with new or
existing staff to brief them about a specific project or service
Advertising An informative or persuasive message carried by a nonpersonal medium and paid for by an identified sponsor whose organization or product is identified in some way
Public relations and publicity Programmes designed to promote andor protect a companyrsquos image or those of its products including product literature exhibitions and articles in professional or in-house newsletters
17
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Direct marketing The use of mail telephone or other non-personal contact tools to communicate with or solicit a response from specific customers and prospects
Trials and service promotion Short-term incentives to encourage trial or purchase of a product or service such as discounted rates for services over a limited time period
Sponsorship Financial or external support of an event or person by an unrelated organization or donor such as is common in respect of the arts sports and charities
18
Promotional Strategies
19
What is promotional strategy
Promotional strategy operates synergistically with market research in an iterative feedback loop whereby the constantly changing requirements of users are responded to by promotional activities that target (or even anticipate) these expressed needs
Such activities need to be managed They can require the allocation and expenditure of resources whether physical (promotional products) or intangible (staff time or use of existing facilities) As such they cannot simply be allowed to grow organically ndash they require shaping and direction via a promotional strategy
20
OBJECTIVES OF PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY
1 To provide information and educate users
2 To increase demand usage and value in the organization
3 To differentiate the product
4 To accentuate the value of the productservice
5 To stabilize existing activity levels
21
Factors that will help you to determine an appropriate promotional mix include
bull The availability of budgetbull The marketing messagebull The complexity of the product or servicebull Market size and locationbull Distribution of the productbull The stage in the product life-cyclebull Competition
22
Basic Promotional Strategies
bull Push strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to marketing intermediaries with the aim of pushing the product through the channel of distribution
bull Pull strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to the ultimate consumer with the aim of stimulating demand and thus pulling the product through the channel of distribution
23
Promotional campaign is a part of a
firmrsquos promotional mix just as
a military campaign is a portion
of a total war effort
24
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
1 Image building ndash intended to communicate an image and generate user preference for a brand or product on the basis of symbiotic value What do users think of when they hear the word library Is it a positive image Library usersrsquo perceptions and feelings about libraries affect everything we do to market services
2 Product differentiation ndash focused on some dimension of the product that competing brands do not offer or accents some way in which using the product provides the solution to a user problem
25
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
3 Positioning ndash involves establishing the image of the library as it functions within the community It promotes a brandrsquos competitive position is often the focal point of promotional campaigns
Questions What is the libraryrsquos ldquopositionrdquomdashhow are you seen
Is the library considered an active and necessary part
of community life
How is the library viewed in comparison to other agencies or institutions
4 Direct response- a promotional approach intended to elicit a direct measurable response such as an order
26
Methods of image building
Branding ndash is an association of ideas associating the library name the name of library service or product (eg Term Paper Counseling) symbols logos or slogan (eg graphic of an open book consistent design of publications etc These are elements give a product or service its own personality and establish an association in the mind of the user
Visioning ndash What is the libraryrsquos vision for the future Has this been addressed in library planning and in the marketing plan Communicate your vision of the library to the community providing an image of the library as a changing organization that is art of an evolution in information access
27
HOW DO YOU PACKAGE A PROMOTION
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
11
What are the LIBRARY SERVICES
1 Provision of resources and encouragement for lifelong learning
2 Provision of a place for a all ages to gather and learn
3 Offering adult young adult and childrenrsquos programming
4 Development and circulation of collections of print and multi-media materials
5 Provision of local regional state-wide and national access to resources
6 Provision of reference and research resources services and collections
7 Offering of remote services such as 247 reference customer account handling genealogy information and access to eBooks
12
LIBRARY SERVICEShellip
8 Provision of access to online local information resources and databases and guidance in selection of Web resources
9 Training in use of online and print resources to contribute to information literacy
10 Promotion of information social and cultural literacy
11 Working with local schools to support curriculum
12 Introducing children to reading13 Working with literacy programs14 Maintenance of archives of local historical
resources
13
ldquoWe often take these products for granted or assume that the users place the same value on them that we dordquo
ldquoTry looking at library products from the usersrsquo viewpoint If yoursquove been working in a library for a long time refresh your memory ldquo
14
ldquoConcentrate your promotion
efforts where they will achieve
the best resultsrdquo
15
Visit a library that yoursquove never used before and consider these questions
1 Howrsquos the signagemdashcan you tell by looking around what services are available
2 Is it easy to find stuff3 Is it clear where you should go for help4 Can you find every department without having to
ask5 Do you understand the arrangement of the
collection6 Is it easier at the bookstore7 Are you comfortable8 Do you enjoy being there
16
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Personal selling Face-to-face interactions with one or more prospective users for the purpose of generating increased activity In a library context this will include the so-called ldquoacademic detailingrdquo ndash one-to-one meetings with new or
existing staff to brief them about a specific project or service
Advertising An informative or persuasive message carried by a nonpersonal medium and paid for by an identified sponsor whose organization or product is identified in some way
Public relations and publicity Programmes designed to promote andor protect a companyrsquos image or those of its products including product literature exhibitions and articles in professional or in-house newsletters
17
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Direct marketing The use of mail telephone or other non-personal contact tools to communicate with or solicit a response from specific customers and prospects
Trials and service promotion Short-term incentives to encourage trial or purchase of a product or service such as discounted rates for services over a limited time period
Sponsorship Financial or external support of an event or person by an unrelated organization or donor such as is common in respect of the arts sports and charities
18
Promotional Strategies
19
What is promotional strategy
Promotional strategy operates synergistically with market research in an iterative feedback loop whereby the constantly changing requirements of users are responded to by promotional activities that target (or even anticipate) these expressed needs
Such activities need to be managed They can require the allocation and expenditure of resources whether physical (promotional products) or intangible (staff time or use of existing facilities) As such they cannot simply be allowed to grow organically ndash they require shaping and direction via a promotional strategy
20
OBJECTIVES OF PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY
1 To provide information and educate users
2 To increase demand usage and value in the organization
3 To differentiate the product
4 To accentuate the value of the productservice
5 To stabilize existing activity levels
21
Factors that will help you to determine an appropriate promotional mix include
bull The availability of budgetbull The marketing messagebull The complexity of the product or servicebull Market size and locationbull Distribution of the productbull The stage in the product life-cyclebull Competition
22
Basic Promotional Strategies
bull Push strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to marketing intermediaries with the aim of pushing the product through the channel of distribution
bull Pull strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to the ultimate consumer with the aim of stimulating demand and thus pulling the product through the channel of distribution
23
Promotional campaign is a part of a
firmrsquos promotional mix just as
a military campaign is a portion
of a total war effort
24
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
1 Image building ndash intended to communicate an image and generate user preference for a brand or product on the basis of symbiotic value What do users think of when they hear the word library Is it a positive image Library usersrsquo perceptions and feelings about libraries affect everything we do to market services
2 Product differentiation ndash focused on some dimension of the product that competing brands do not offer or accents some way in which using the product provides the solution to a user problem
25
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
3 Positioning ndash involves establishing the image of the library as it functions within the community It promotes a brandrsquos competitive position is often the focal point of promotional campaigns
Questions What is the libraryrsquos ldquopositionrdquomdashhow are you seen
Is the library considered an active and necessary part
of community life
How is the library viewed in comparison to other agencies or institutions
4 Direct response- a promotional approach intended to elicit a direct measurable response such as an order
26
Methods of image building
Branding ndash is an association of ideas associating the library name the name of library service or product (eg Term Paper Counseling) symbols logos or slogan (eg graphic of an open book consistent design of publications etc These are elements give a product or service its own personality and establish an association in the mind of the user
Visioning ndash What is the libraryrsquos vision for the future Has this been addressed in library planning and in the marketing plan Communicate your vision of the library to the community providing an image of the library as a changing organization that is art of an evolution in information access
27
HOW DO YOU PACKAGE A PROMOTION
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
12
LIBRARY SERVICEShellip
8 Provision of access to online local information resources and databases and guidance in selection of Web resources
9 Training in use of online and print resources to contribute to information literacy
10 Promotion of information social and cultural literacy
11 Working with local schools to support curriculum
12 Introducing children to reading13 Working with literacy programs14 Maintenance of archives of local historical
resources
13
ldquoWe often take these products for granted or assume that the users place the same value on them that we dordquo
ldquoTry looking at library products from the usersrsquo viewpoint If yoursquove been working in a library for a long time refresh your memory ldquo
14
ldquoConcentrate your promotion
efforts where they will achieve
the best resultsrdquo
15
Visit a library that yoursquove never used before and consider these questions
1 Howrsquos the signagemdashcan you tell by looking around what services are available
2 Is it easy to find stuff3 Is it clear where you should go for help4 Can you find every department without having to
ask5 Do you understand the arrangement of the
collection6 Is it easier at the bookstore7 Are you comfortable8 Do you enjoy being there
16
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Personal selling Face-to-face interactions with one or more prospective users for the purpose of generating increased activity In a library context this will include the so-called ldquoacademic detailingrdquo ndash one-to-one meetings with new or
existing staff to brief them about a specific project or service
Advertising An informative or persuasive message carried by a nonpersonal medium and paid for by an identified sponsor whose organization or product is identified in some way
Public relations and publicity Programmes designed to promote andor protect a companyrsquos image or those of its products including product literature exhibitions and articles in professional or in-house newsletters
17
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Direct marketing The use of mail telephone or other non-personal contact tools to communicate with or solicit a response from specific customers and prospects
Trials and service promotion Short-term incentives to encourage trial or purchase of a product or service such as discounted rates for services over a limited time period
Sponsorship Financial or external support of an event or person by an unrelated organization or donor such as is common in respect of the arts sports and charities
18
Promotional Strategies
19
What is promotional strategy
Promotional strategy operates synergistically with market research in an iterative feedback loop whereby the constantly changing requirements of users are responded to by promotional activities that target (or even anticipate) these expressed needs
Such activities need to be managed They can require the allocation and expenditure of resources whether physical (promotional products) or intangible (staff time or use of existing facilities) As such they cannot simply be allowed to grow organically ndash they require shaping and direction via a promotional strategy
20
OBJECTIVES OF PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY
1 To provide information and educate users
2 To increase demand usage and value in the organization
3 To differentiate the product
4 To accentuate the value of the productservice
5 To stabilize existing activity levels
21
Factors that will help you to determine an appropriate promotional mix include
bull The availability of budgetbull The marketing messagebull The complexity of the product or servicebull Market size and locationbull Distribution of the productbull The stage in the product life-cyclebull Competition
22
Basic Promotional Strategies
bull Push strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to marketing intermediaries with the aim of pushing the product through the channel of distribution
bull Pull strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to the ultimate consumer with the aim of stimulating demand and thus pulling the product through the channel of distribution
23
Promotional campaign is a part of a
firmrsquos promotional mix just as
a military campaign is a portion
of a total war effort
24
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
1 Image building ndash intended to communicate an image and generate user preference for a brand or product on the basis of symbiotic value What do users think of when they hear the word library Is it a positive image Library usersrsquo perceptions and feelings about libraries affect everything we do to market services
2 Product differentiation ndash focused on some dimension of the product that competing brands do not offer or accents some way in which using the product provides the solution to a user problem
25
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
3 Positioning ndash involves establishing the image of the library as it functions within the community It promotes a brandrsquos competitive position is often the focal point of promotional campaigns
Questions What is the libraryrsquos ldquopositionrdquomdashhow are you seen
Is the library considered an active and necessary part
of community life
How is the library viewed in comparison to other agencies or institutions
4 Direct response- a promotional approach intended to elicit a direct measurable response such as an order
26
Methods of image building
Branding ndash is an association of ideas associating the library name the name of library service or product (eg Term Paper Counseling) symbols logos or slogan (eg graphic of an open book consistent design of publications etc These are elements give a product or service its own personality and establish an association in the mind of the user
Visioning ndash What is the libraryrsquos vision for the future Has this been addressed in library planning and in the marketing plan Communicate your vision of the library to the community providing an image of the library as a changing organization that is art of an evolution in information access
27
HOW DO YOU PACKAGE A PROMOTION
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
13
ldquoWe often take these products for granted or assume that the users place the same value on them that we dordquo
ldquoTry looking at library products from the usersrsquo viewpoint If yoursquove been working in a library for a long time refresh your memory ldquo
14
ldquoConcentrate your promotion
efforts where they will achieve
the best resultsrdquo
15
Visit a library that yoursquove never used before and consider these questions
1 Howrsquos the signagemdashcan you tell by looking around what services are available
2 Is it easy to find stuff3 Is it clear where you should go for help4 Can you find every department without having to
ask5 Do you understand the arrangement of the
collection6 Is it easier at the bookstore7 Are you comfortable8 Do you enjoy being there
16
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Personal selling Face-to-face interactions with one or more prospective users for the purpose of generating increased activity In a library context this will include the so-called ldquoacademic detailingrdquo ndash one-to-one meetings with new or
existing staff to brief them about a specific project or service
Advertising An informative or persuasive message carried by a nonpersonal medium and paid for by an identified sponsor whose organization or product is identified in some way
Public relations and publicity Programmes designed to promote andor protect a companyrsquos image or those of its products including product literature exhibitions and articles in professional or in-house newsletters
17
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Direct marketing The use of mail telephone or other non-personal contact tools to communicate with or solicit a response from specific customers and prospects
Trials and service promotion Short-term incentives to encourage trial or purchase of a product or service such as discounted rates for services over a limited time period
Sponsorship Financial or external support of an event or person by an unrelated organization or donor such as is common in respect of the arts sports and charities
18
Promotional Strategies
19
What is promotional strategy
Promotional strategy operates synergistically with market research in an iterative feedback loop whereby the constantly changing requirements of users are responded to by promotional activities that target (or even anticipate) these expressed needs
Such activities need to be managed They can require the allocation and expenditure of resources whether physical (promotional products) or intangible (staff time or use of existing facilities) As such they cannot simply be allowed to grow organically ndash they require shaping and direction via a promotional strategy
20
OBJECTIVES OF PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY
1 To provide information and educate users
2 To increase demand usage and value in the organization
3 To differentiate the product
4 To accentuate the value of the productservice
5 To stabilize existing activity levels
21
Factors that will help you to determine an appropriate promotional mix include
bull The availability of budgetbull The marketing messagebull The complexity of the product or servicebull Market size and locationbull Distribution of the productbull The stage in the product life-cyclebull Competition
22
Basic Promotional Strategies
bull Push strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to marketing intermediaries with the aim of pushing the product through the channel of distribution
bull Pull strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to the ultimate consumer with the aim of stimulating demand and thus pulling the product through the channel of distribution
23
Promotional campaign is a part of a
firmrsquos promotional mix just as
a military campaign is a portion
of a total war effort
24
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
1 Image building ndash intended to communicate an image and generate user preference for a brand or product on the basis of symbiotic value What do users think of when they hear the word library Is it a positive image Library usersrsquo perceptions and feelings about libraries affect everything we do to market services
2 Product differentiation ndash focused on some dimension of the product that competing brands do not offer or accents some way in which using the product provides the solution to a user problem
25
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
3 Positioning ndash involves establishing the image of the library as it functions within the community It promotes a brandrsquos competitive position is often the focal point of promotional campaigns
Questions What is the libraryrsquos ldquopositionrdquomdashhow are you seen
Is the library considered an active and necessary part
of community life
How is the library viewed in comparison to other agencies or institutions
4 Direct response- a promotional approach intended to elicit a direct measurable response such as an order
26
Methods of image building
Branding ndash is an association of ideas associating the library name the name of library service or product (eg Term Paper Counseling) symbols logos or slogan (eg graphic of an open book consistent design of publications etc These are elements give a product or service its own personality and establish an association in the mind of the user
Visioning ndash What is the libraryrsquos vision for the future Has this been addressed in library planning and in the marketing plan Communicate your vision of the library to the community providing an image of the library as a changing organization that is art of an evolution in information access
27
HOW DO YOU PACKAGE A PROMOTION
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
14
ldquoConcentrate your promotion
efforts where they will achieve
the best resultsrdquo
15
Visit a library that yoursquove never used before and consider these questions
1 Howrsquos the signagemdashcan you tell by looking around what services are available
2 Is it easy to find stuff3 Is it clear where you should go for help4 Can you find every department without having to
ask5 Do you understand the arrangement of the
collection6 Is it easier at the bookstore7 Are you comfortable8 Do you enjoy being there
16
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Personal selling Face-to-face interactions with one or more prospective users for the purpose of generating increased activity In a library context this will include the so-called ldquoacademic detailingrdquo ndash one-to-one meetings with new or
existing staff to brief them about a specific project or service
Advertising An informative or persuasive message carried by a nonpersonal medium and paid for by an identified sponsor whose organization or product is identified in some way
Public relations and publicity Programmes designed to promote andor protect a companyrsquos image or those of its products including product literature exhibitions and articles in professional or in-house newsletters
17
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Direct marketing The use of mail telephone or other non-personal contact tools to communicate with or solicit a response from specific customers and prospects
Trials and service promotion Short-term incentives to encourage trial or purchase of a product or service such as discounted rates for services over a limited time period
Sponsorship Financial or external support of an event or person by an unrelated organization or donor such as is common in respect of the arts sports and charities
18
Promotional Strategies
19
What is promotional strategy
Promotional strategy operates synergistically with market research in an iterative feedback loop whereby the constantly changing requirements of users are responded to by promotional activities that target (or even anticipate) these expressed needs
Such activities need to be managed They can require the allocation and expenditure of resources whether physical (promotional products) or intangible (staff time or use of existing facilities) As such they cannot simply be allowed to grow organically ndash they require shaping and direction via a promotional strategy
20
OBJECTIVES OF PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY
1 To provide information and educate users
2 To increase demand usage and value in the organization
3 To differentiate the product
4 To accentuate the value of the productservice
5 To stabilize existing activity levels
21
Factors that will help you to determine an appropriate promotional mix include
bull The availability of budgetbull The marketing messagebull The complexity of the product or servicebull Market size and locationbull Distribution of the productbull The stage in the product life-cyclebull Competition
22
Basic Promotional Strategies
bull Push strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to marketing intermediaries with the aim of pushing the product through the channel of distribution
bull Pull strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to the ultimate consumer with the aim of stimulating demand and thus pulling the product through the channel of distribution
23
Promotional campaign is a part of a
firmrsquos promotional mix just as
a military campaign is a portion
of a total war effort
24
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
1 Image building ndash intended to communicate an image and generate user preference for a brand or product on the basis of symbiotic value What do users think of when they hear the word library Is it a positive image Library usersrsquo perceptions and feelings about libraries affect everything we do to market services
2 Product differentiation ndash focused on some dimension of the product that competing brands do not offer or accents some way in which using the product provides the solution to a user problem
25
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
3 Positioning ndash involves establishing the image of the library as it functions within the community It promotes a brandrsquos competitive position is often the focal point of promotional campaigns
Questions What is the libraryrsquos ldquopositionrdquomdashhow are you seen
Is the library considered an active and necessary part
of community life
How is the library viewed in comparison to other agencies or institutions
4 Direct response- a promotional approach intended to elicit a direct measurable response such as an order
26
Methods of image building
Branding ndash is an association of ideas associating the library name the name of library service or product (eg Term Paper Counseling) symbols logos or slogan (eg graphic of an open book consistent design of publications etc These are elements give a product or service its own personality and establish an association in the mind of the user
Visioning ndash What is the libraryrsquos vision for the future Has this been addressed in library planning and in the marketing plan Communicate your vision of the library to the community providing an image of the library as a changing organization that is art of an evolution in information access
27
HOW DO YOU PACKAGE A PROMOTION
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
15
Visit a library that yoursquove never used before and consider these questions
1 Howrsquos the signagemdashcan you tell by looking around what services are available
2 Is it easy to find stuff3 Is it clear where you should go for help4 Can you find every department without having to
ask5 Do you understand the arrangement of the
collection6 Is it easier at the bookstore7 Are you comfortable8 Do you enjoy being there
16
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Personal selling Face-to-face interactions with one or more prospective users for the purpose of generating increased activity In a library context this will include the so-called ldquoacademic detailingrdquo ndash one-to-one meetings with new or
existing staff to brief them about a specific project or service
Advertising An informative or persuasive message carried by a nonpersonal medium and paid for by an identified sponsor whose organization or product is identified in some way
Public relations and publicity Programmes designed to promote andor protect a companyrsquos image or those of its products including product literature exhibitions and articles in professional or in-house newsletters
17
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Direct marketing The use of mail telephone or other non-personal contact tools to communicate with or solicit a response from specific customers and prospects
Trials and service promotion Short-term incentives to encourage trial or purchase of a product or service such as discounted rates for services over a limited time period
Sponsorship Financial or external support of an event or person by an unrelated organization or donor such as is common in respect of the arts sports and charities
18
Promotional Strategies
19
What is promotional strategy
Promotional strategy operates synergistically with market research in an iterative feedback loop whereby the constantly changing requirements of users are responded to by promotional activities that target (or even anticipate) these expressed needs
Such activities need to be managed They can require the allocation and expenditure of resources whether physical (promotional products) or intangible (staff time or use of existing facilities) As such they cannot simply be allowed to grow organically ndash they require shaping and direction via a promotional strategy
20
OBJECTIVES OF PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY
1 To provide information and educate users
2 To increase demand usage and value in the organization
3 To differentiate the product
4 To accentuate the value of the productservice
5 To stabilize existing activity levels
21
Factors that will help you to determine an appropriate promotional mix include
bull The availability of budgetbull The marketing messagebull The complexity of the product or servicebull Market size and locationbull Distribution of the productbull The stage in the product life-cyclebull Competition
22
Basic Promotional Strategies
bull Push strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to marketing intermediaries with the aim of pushing the product through the channel of distribution
bull Pull strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to the ultimate consumer with the aim of stimulating demand and thus pulling the product through the channel of distribution
23
Promotional campaign is a part of a
firmrsquos promotional mix just as
a military campaign is a portion
of a total war effort
24
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
1 Image building ndash intended to communicate an image and generate user preference for a brand or product on the basis of symbiotic value What do users think of when they hear the word library Is it a positive image Library usersrsquo perceptions and feelings about libraries affect everything we do to market services
2 Product differentiation ndash focused on some dimension of the product that competing brands do not offer or accents some way in which using the product provides the solution to a user problem
25
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
3 Positioning ndash involves establishing the image of the library as it functions within the community It promotes a brandrsquos competitive position is often the focal point of promotional campaigns
Questions What is the libraryrsquos ldquopositionrdquomdashhow are you seen
Is the library considered an active and necessary part
of community life
How is the library viewed in comparison to other agencies or institutions
4 Direct response- a promotional approach intended to elicit a direct measurable response such as an order
26
Methods of image building
Branding ndash is an association of ideas associating the library name the name of library service or product (eg Term Paper Counseling) symbols logos or slogan (eg graphic of an open book consistent design of publications etc These are elements give a product or service its own personality and establish an association in the mind of the user
Visioning ndash What is the libraryrsquos vision for the future Has this been addressed in library planning and in the marketing plan Communicate your vision of the library to the community providing an image of the library as a changing organization that is art of an evolution in information access
27
HOW DO YOU PACKAGE A PROMOTION
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
16
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Personal selling Face-to-face interactions with one or more prospective users for the purpose of generating increased activity In a library context this will include the so-called ldquoacademic detailingrdquo ndash one-to-one meetings with new or
existing staff to brief them about a specific project or service
Advertising An informative or persuasive message carried by a nonpersonal medium and paid for by an identified sponsor whose organization or product is identified in some way
Public relations and publicity Programmes designed to promote andor protect a companyrsquos image or those of its products including product literature exhibitions and articles in professional or in-house newsletters
17
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Direct marketing The use of mail telephone or other non-personal contact tools to communicate with or solicit a response from specific customers and prospects
Trials and service promotion Short-term incentives to encourage trial or purchase of a product or service such as discounted rates for services over a limited time period
Sponsorship Financial or external support of an event or person by an unrelated organization or donor such as is common in respect of the arts sports and charities
18
Promotional Strategies
19
What is promotional strategy
Promotional strategy operates synergistically with market research in an iterative feedback loop whereby the constantly changing requirements of users are responded to by promotional activities that target (or even anticipate) these expressed needs
Such activities need to be managed They can require the allocation and expenditure of resources whether physical (promotional products) or intangible (staff time or use of existing facilities) As such they cannot simply be allowed to grow organically ndash they require shaping and direction via a promotional strategy
20
OBJECTIVES OF PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY
1 To provide information and educate users
2 To increase demand usage and value in the organization
3 To differentiate the product
4 To accentuate the value of the productservice
5 To stabilize existing activity levels
21
Factors that will help you to determine an appropriate promotional mix include
bull The availability of budgetbull The marketing messagebull The complexity of the product or servicebull Market size and locationbull Distribution of the productbull The stage in the product life-cyclebull Competition
22
Basic Promotional Strategies
bull Push strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to marketing intermediaries with the aim of pushing the product through the channel of distribution
bull Pull strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to the ultimate consumer with the aim of stimulating demand and thus pulling the product through the channel of distribution
23
Promotional campaign is a part of a
firmrsquos promotional mix just as
a military campaign is a portion
of a total war effort
24
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
1 Image building ndash intended to communicate an image and generate user preference for a brand or product on the basis of symbiotic value What do users think of when they hear the word library Is it a positive image Library usersrsquo perceptions and feelings about libraries affect everything we do to market services
2 Product differentiation ndash focused on some dimension of the product that competing brands do not offer or accents some way in which using the product provides the solution to a user problem
25
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
3 Positioning ndash involves establishing the image of the library as it functions within the community It promotes a brandrsquos competitive position is often the focal point of promotional campaigns
Questions What is the libraryrsquos ldquopositionrdquomdashhow are you seen
Is the library considered an active and necessary part
of community life
How is the library viewed in comparison to other agencies or institutions
4 Direct response- a promotional approach intended to elicit a direct measurable response such as an order
26
Methods of image building
Branding ndash is an association of ideas associating the library name the name of library service or product (eg Term Paper Counseling) symbols logos or slogan (eg graphic of an open book consistent design of publications etc These are elements give a product or service its own personality and establish an association in the mind of the user
Visioning ndash What is the libraryrsquos vision for the future Has this been addressed in library planning and in the marketing plan Communicate your vision of the library to the community providing an image of the library as a changing organization that is art of an evolution in information access
27
HOW DO YOU PACKAGE A PROMOTION
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
17
ELEMENTS OF PROMOTION
Direct marketing The use of mail telephone or other non-personal contact tools to communicate with or solicit a response from specific customers and prospects
Trials and service promotion Short-term incentives to encourage trial or purchase of a product or service such as discounted rates for services over a limited time period
Sponsorship Financial or external support of an event or person by an unrelated organization or donor such as is common in respect of the arts sports and charities
18
Promotional Strategies
19
What is promotional strategy
Promotional strategy operates synergistically with market research in an iterative feedback loop whereby the constantly changing requirements of users are responded to by promotional activities that target (or even anticipate) these expressed needs
Such activities need to be managed They can require the allocation and expenditure of resources whether physical (promotional products) or intangible (staff time or use of existing facilities) As such they cannot simply be allowed to grow organically ndash they require shaping and direction via a promotional strategy
20
OBJECTIVES OF PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY
1 To provide information and educate users
2 To increase demand usage and value in the organization
3 To differentiate the product
4 To accentuate the value of the productservice
5 To stabilize existing activity levels
21
Factors that will help you to determine an appropriate promotional mix include
bull The availability of budgetbull The marketing messagebull The complexity of the product or servicebull Market size and locationbull Distribution of the productbull The stage in the product life-cyclebull Competition
22
Basic Promotional Strategies
bull Push strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to marketing intermediaries with the aim of pushing the product through the channel of distribution
bull Pull strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to the ultimate consumer with the aim of stimulating demand and thus pulling the product through the channel of distribution
23
Promotional campaign is a part of a
firmrsquos promotional mix just as
a military campaign is a portion
of a total war effort
24
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
1 Image building ndash intended to communicate an image and generate user preference for a brand or product on the basis of symbiotic value What do users think of when they hear the word library Is it a positive image Library usersrsquo perceptions and feelings about libraries affect everything we do to market services
2 Product differentiation ndash focused on some dimension of the product that competing brands do not offer or accents some way in which using the product provides the solution to a user problem
25
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
3 Positioning ndash involves establishing the image of the library as it functions within the community It promotes a brandrsquos competitive position is often the focal point of promotional campaigns
Questions What is the libraryrsquos ldquopositionrdquomdashhow are you seen
Is the library considered an active and necessary part
of community life
How is the library viewed in comparison to other agencies or institutions
4 Direct response- a promotional approach intended to elicit a direct measurable response such as an order
26
Methods of image building
Branding ndash is an association of ideas associating the library name the name of library service or product (eg Term Paper Counseling) symbols logos or slogan (eg graphic of an open book consistent design of publications etc These are elements give a product or service its own personality and establish an association in the mind of the user
Visioning ndash What is the libraryrsquos vision for the future Has this been addressed in library planning and in the marketing plan Communicate your vision of the library to the community providing an image of the library as a changing organization that is art of an evolution in information access
27
HOW DO YOU PACKAGE A PROMOTION
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
18
Promotional Strategies
19
What is promotional strategy
Promotional strategy operates synergistically with market research in an iterative feedback loop whereby the constantly changing requirements of users are responded to by promotional activities that target (or even anticipate) these expressed needs
Such activities need to be managed They can require the allocation and expenditure of resources whether physical (promotional products) or intangible (staff time or use of existing facilities) As such they cannot simply be allowed to grow organically ndash they require shaping and direction via a promotional strategy
20
OBJECTIVES OF PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY
1 To provide information and educate users
2 To increase demand usage and value in the organization
3 To differentiate the product
4 To accentuate the value of the productservice
5 To stabilize existing activity levels
21
Factors that will help you to determine an appropriate promotional mix include
bull The availability of budgetbull The marketing messagebull The complexity of the product or servicebull Market size and locationbull Distribution of the productbull The stage in the product life-cyclebull Competition
22
Basic Promotional Strategies
bull Push strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to marketing intermediaries with the aim of pushing the product through the channel of distribution
bull Pull strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to the ultimate consumer with the aim of stimulating demand and thus pulling the product through the channel of distribution
23
Promotional campaign is a part of a
firmrsquos promotional mix just as
a military campaign is a portion
of a total war effort
24
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
1 Image building ndash intended to communicate an image and generate user preference for a brand or product on the basis of symbiotic value What do users think of when they hear the word library Is it a positive image Library usersrsquo perceptions and feelings about libraries affect everything we do to market services
2 Product differentiation ndash focused on some dimension of the product that competing brands do not offer or accents some way in which using the product provides the solution to a user problem
25
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
3 Positioning ndash involves establishing the image of the library as it functions within the community It promotes a brandrsquos competitive position is often the focal point of promotional campaigns
Questions What is the libraryrsquos ldquopositionrdquomdashhow are you seen
Is the library considered an active and necessary part
of community life
How is the library viewed in comparison to other agencies or institutions
4 Direct response- a promotional approach intended to elicit a direct measurable response such as an order
26
Methods of image building
Branding ndash is an association of ideas associating the library name the name of library service or product (eg Term Paper Counseling) symbols logos or slogan (eg graphic of an open book consistent design of publications etc These are elements give a product or service its own personality and establish an association in the mind of the user
Visioning ndash What is the libraryrsquos vision for the future Has this been addressed in library planning and in the marketing plan Communicate your vision of the library to the community providing an image of the library as a changing organization that is art of an evolution in information access
27
HOW DO YOU PACKAGE A PROMOTION
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
19
What is promotional strategy
Promotional strategy operates synergistically with market research in an iterative feedback loop whereby the constantly changing requirements of users are responded to by promotional activities that target (or even anticipate) these expressed needs
Such activities need to be managed They can require the allocation and expenditure of resources whether physical (promotional products) or intangible (staff time or use of existing facilities) As such they cannot simply be allowed to grow organically ndash they require shaping and direction via a promotional strategy
20
OBJECTIVES OF PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY
1 To provide information and educate users
2 To increase demand usage and value in the organization
3 To differentiate the product
4 To accentuate the value of the productservice
5 To stabilize existing activity levels
21
Factors that will help you to determine an appropriate promotional mix include
bull The availability of budgetbull The marketing messagebull The complexity of the product or servicebull Market size and locationbull Distribution of the productbull The stage in the product life-cyclebull Competition
22
Basic Promotional Strategies
bull Push strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to marketing intermediaries with the aim of pushing the product through the channel of distribution
bull Pull strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to the ultimate consumer with the aim of stimulating demand and thus pulling the product through the channel of distribution
23
Promotional campaign is a part of a
firmrsquos promotional mix just as
a military campaign is a portion
of a total war effort
24
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
1 Image building ndash intended to communicate an image and generate user preference for a brand or product on the basis of symbiotic value What do users think of when they hear the word library Is it a positive image Library usersrsquo perceptions and feelings about libraries affect everything we do to market services
2 Product differentiation ndash focused on some dimension of the product that competing brands do not offer or accents some way in which using the product provides the solution to a user problem
25
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
3 Positioning ndash involves establishing the image of the library as it functions within the community It promotes a brandrsquos competitive position is often the focal point of promotional campaigns
Questions What is the libraryrsquos ldquopositionrdquomdashhow are you seen
Is the library considered an active and necessary part
of community life
How is the library viewed in comparison to other agencies or institutions
4 Direct response- a promotional approach intended to elicit a direct measurable response such as an order
26
Methods of image building
Branding ndash is an association of ideas associating the library name the name of library service or product (eg Term Paper Counseling) symbols logos or slogan (eg graphic of an open book consistent design of publications etc These are elements give a product or service its own personality and establish an association in the mind of the user
Visioning ndash What is the libraryrsquos vision for the future Has this been addressed in library planning and in the marketing plan Communicate your vision of the library to the community providing an image of the library as a changing organization that is art of an evolution in information access
27
HOW DO YOU PACKAGE A PROMOTION
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
20
OBJECTIVES OF PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY
1 To provide information and educate users
2 To increase demand usage and value in the organization
3 To differentiate the product
4 To accentuate the value of the productservice
5 To stabilize existing activity levels
21
Factors that will help you to determine an appropriate promotional mix include
bull The availability of budgetbull The marketing messagebull The complexity of the product or servicebull Market size and locationbull Distribution of the productbull The stage in the product life-cyclebull Competition
22
Basic Promotional Strategies
bull Push strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to marketing intermediaries with the aim of pushing the product through the channel of distribution
bull Pull strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to the ultimate consumer with the aim of stimulating demand and thus pulling the product through the channel of distribution
23
Promotional campaign is a part of a
firmrsquos promotional mix just as
a military campaign is a portion
of a total war effort
24
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
1 Image building ndash intended to communicate an image and generate user preference for a brand or product on the basis of symbiotic value What do users think of when they hear the word library Is it a positive image Library usersrsquo perceptions and feelings about libraries affect everything we do to market services
2 Product differentiation ndash focused on some dimension of the product that competing brands do not offer or accents some way in which using the product provides the solution to a user problem
25
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
3 Positioning ndash involves establishing the image of the library as it functions within the community It promotes a brandrsquos competitive position is often the focal point of promotional campaigns
Questions What is the libraryrsquos ldquopositionrdquomdashhow are you seen
Is the library considered an active and necessary part
of community life
How is the library viewed in comparison to other agencies or institutions
4 Direct response- a promotional approach intended to elicit a direct measurable response such as an order
26
Methods of image building
Branding ndash is an association of ideas associating the library name the name of library service or product (eg Term Paper Counseling) symbols logos or slogan (eg graphic of an open book consistent design of publications etc These are elements give a product or service its own personality and establish an association in the mind of the user
Visioning ndash What is the libraryrsquos vision for the future Has this been addressed in library planning and in the marketing plan Communicate your vision of the library to the community providing an image of the library as a changing organization that is art of an evolution in information access
27
HOW DO YOU PACKAGE A PROMOTION
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
21
Factors that will help you to determine an appropriate promotional mix include
bull The availability of budgetbull The marketing messagebull The complexity of the product or servicebull Market size and locationbull Distribution of the productbull The stage in the product life-cyclebull Competition
22
Basic Promotional Strategies
bull Push strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to marketing intermediaries with the aim of pushing the product through the channel of distribution
bull Pull strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to the ultimate consumer with the aim of stimulating demand and thus pulling the product through the channel of distribution
23
Promotional campaign is a part of a
firmrsquos promotional mix just as
a military campaign is a portion
of a total war effort
24
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
1 Image building ndash intended to communicate an image and generate user preference for a brand or product on the basis of symbiotic value What do users think of when they hear the word library Is it a positive image Library usersrsquo perceptions and feelings about libraries affect everything we do to market services
2 Product differentiation ndash focused on some dimension of the product that competing brands do not offer or accents some way in which using the product provides the solution to a user problem
25
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
3 Positioning ndash involves establishing the image of the library as it functions within the community It promotes a brandrsquos competitive position is often the focal point of promotional campaigns
Questions What is the libraryrsquos ldquopositionrdquomdashhow are you seen
Is the library considered an active and necessary part
of community life
How is the library viewed in comparison to other agencies or institutions
4 Direct response- a promotional approach intended to elicit a direct measurable response such as an order
26
Methods of image building
Branding ndash is an association of ideas associating the library name the name of library service or product (eg Term Paper Counseling) symbols logos or slogan (eg graphic of an open book consistent design of publications etc These are elements give a product or service its own personality and establish an association in the mind of the user
Visioning ndash What is the libraryrsquos vision for the future Has this been addressed in library planning and in the marketing plan Communicate your vision of the library to the community providing an image of the library as a changing organization that is art of an evolution in information access
27
HOW DO YOU PACKAGE A PROMOTION
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
22
Basic Promotional Strategies
bull Push strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to marketing intermediaries with the aim of pushing the product through the channel of distribution
bull Pull strategy ndash a promotional strategy whereby a supplier promotes a product to the ultimate consumer with the aim of stimulating demand and thus pulling the product through the channel of distribution
23
Promotional campaign is a part of a
firmrsquos promotional mix just as
a military campaign is a portion
of a total war effort
24
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
1 Image building ndash intended to communicate an image and generate user preference for a brand or product on the basis of symbiotic value What do users think of when they hear the word library Is it a positive image Library usersrsquo perceptions and feelings about libraries affect everything we do to market services
2 Product differentiation ndash focused on some dimension of the product that competing brands do not offer or accents some way in which using the product provides the solution to a user problem
25
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
3 Positioning ndash involves establishing the image of the library as it functions within the community It promotes a brandrsquos competitive position is often the focal point of promotional campaigns
Questions What is the libraryrsquos ldquopositionrdquomdashhow are you seen
Is the library considered an active and necessary part
of community life
How is the library viewed in comparison to other agencies or institutions
4 Direct response- a promotional approach intended to elicit a direct measurable response such as an order
26
Methods of image building
Branding ndash is an association of ideas associating the library name the name of library service or product (eg Term Paper Counseling) symbols logos or slogan (eg graphic of an open book consistent design of publications etc These are elements give a product or service its own personality and establish an association in the mind of the user
Visioning ndash What is the libraryrsquos vision for the future Has this been addressed in library planning and in the marketing plan Communicate your vision of the library to the community providing an image of the library as a changing organization that is art of an evolution in information access
27
HOW DO YOU PACKAGE A PROMOTION
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
23
Promotional campaign is a part of a
firmrsquos promotional mix just as
a military campaign is a portion
of a total war effort
24
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
1 Image building ndash intended to communicate an image and generate user preference for a brand or product on the basis of symbiotic value What do users think of when they hear the word library Is it a positive image Library usersrsquo perceptions and feelings about libraries affect everything we do to market services
2 Product differentiation ndash focused on some dimension of the product that competing brands do not offer or accents some way in which using the product provides the solution to a user problem
25
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
3 Positioning ndash involves establishing the image of the library as it functions within the community It promotes a brandrsquos competitive position is often the focal point of promotional campaigns
Questions What is the libraryrsquos ldquopositionrdquomdashhow are you seen
Is the library considered an active and necessary part
of community life
How is the library viewed in comparison to other agencies or institutions
4 Direct response- a promotional approach intended to elicit a direct measurable response such as an order
26
Methods of image building
Branding ndash is an association of ideas associating the library name the name of library service or product (eg Term Paper Counseling) symbols logos or slogan (eg graphic of an open book consistent design of publications etc These are elements give a product or service its own personality and establish an association in the mind of the user
Visioning ndash What is the libraryrsquos vision for the future Has this been addressed in library planning and in the marketing plan Communicate your vision of the library to the community providing an image of the library as a changing organization that is art of an evolution in information access
27
HOW DO YOU PACKAGE A PROMOTION
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
24
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
1 Image building ndash intended to communicate an image and generate user preference for a brand or product on the basis of symbiotic value What do users think of when they hear the word library Is it a positive image Library usersrsquo perceptions and feelings about libraries affect everything we do to market services
2 Product differentiation ndash focused on some dimension of the product that competing brands do not offer or accents some way in which using the product provides the solution to a user problem
25
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
3 Positioning ndash involves establishing the image of the library as it functions within the community It promotes a brandrsquos competitive position is often the focal point of promotional campaigns
Questions What is the libraryrsquos ldquopositionrdquomdashhow are you seen
Is the library considered an active and necessary part
of community life
How is the library viewed in comparison to other agencies or institutions
4 Direct response- a promotional approach intended to elicit a direct measurable response such as an order
26
Methods of image building
Branding ndash is an association of ideas associating the library name the name of library service or product (eg Term Paper Counseling) symbols logos or slogan (eg graphic of an open book consistent design of publications etc These are elements give a product or service its own personality and establish an association in the mind of the user
Visioning ndash What is the libraryrsquos vision for the future Has this been addressed in library planning and in the marketing plan Communicate your vision of the library to the community providing an image of the library as a changing organization that is art of an evolution in information access
27
HOW DO YOU PACKAGE A PROMOTION
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
25
Major approaches to developing a promotional campaign
3 Positioning ndash involves establishing the image of the library as it functions within the community It promotes a brandrsquos competitive position is often the focal point of promotional campaigns
Questions What is the libraryrsquos ldquopositionrdquomdashhow are you seen
Is the library considered an active and necessary part
of community life
How is the library viewed in comparison to other agencies or institutions
4 Direct response- a promotional approach intended to elicit a direct measurable response such as an order
26
Methods of image building
Branding ndash is an association of ideas associating the library name the name of library service or product (eg Term Paper Counseling) symbols logos or slogan (eg graphic of an open book consistent design of publications etc These are elements give a product or service its own personality and establish an association in the mind of the user
Visioning ndash What is the libraryrsquos vision for the future Has this been addressed in library planning and in the marketing plan Communicate your vision of the library to the community providing an image of the library as a changing organization that is art of an evolution in information access
27
HOW DO YOU PACKAGE A PROMOTION
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
26
Methods of image building
Branding ndash is an association of ideas associating the library name the name of library service or product (eg Term Paper Counseling) symbols logos or slogan (eg graphic of an open book consistent design of publications etc These are elements give a product or service its own personality and establish an association in the mind of the user
Visioning ndash What is the libraryrsquos vision for the future Has this been addressed in library planning and in the marketing plan Communicate your vision of the library to the community providing an image of the library as a changing organization that is art of an evolution in information access
27
HOW DO YOU PACKAGE A PROMOTION
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
27
HOW DO YOU PACKAGE A PROMOTION
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
28
Promotion Possibilities
bull Create an outreach program for students teachers administrators and the community
bull Develop a plan for promoting the collection including new acquisitions curriculum connections and older materials
bull Create promotional literature for a particular area such as reading information inquiry or science literacy (ie newsletters brochures bookmarks website pathfinders flyers)
bull Develop plans for displays to highlight events and projects (ie bulletin boards display cases special center events)
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
29
How Do You Plan a Promotion 1 Analyze Needs Seek out specific interests needs and
problems in the learning community Examine how these connect to your programrsquos mission and goals
2 Build Partnerships Get others involved with your promotion Consider curriculum connections Reach out to other members of the learning community To ensure success be sure that you get a few people committed to the project from the beginning
3 Develop Activities and Resources Develop the materials needed to implement your project Whatrsquos the timeline Who will do what when What advertising materials are needed
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
30
4 Advertise the Promotion Be sure that everyone is aware of the event or activity Develop a press release insert a note in the school newsletter and create flyers
5 Share your Success An important element of promotion is communication Be sure that people know about the success
of your project Use local newspapers school newsletters center website and bulletin boards to share your success
6 Implement the Promotion As you implement the program be sure to collect data Count people conduct a survey ask for comments take photographs and collect sample products Example You take photos of students as they do their Poetry Slam readings during National Book Week in the Library
7 Evaluate Consider the effectiveness of the program Immediately revise materials for the next time you use this promotion Plan for the future
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
31
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
A Ideas to Get You Started for the Students
1 Form a student advisory group or Friends of the Library group to advise and assist in developing programming and promotions directed at students Take advantage of students who work in the library 2 Seek to have a library message appear on student ID cards or provide stickers with the URL
3 Put out a ldquoTalk Backrdquo suggestion box inviting students to ask questions or share what they like and donrsquot like about the library Post frequently asked questions and answers
4 Publish an ldquoItrsquos an Information Jungle Out Thererdquo survival guide for students Distribute during orientation and other events
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
32
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
5 Distribute ldquotent cardsrdquo (similar to those often found on restaurant tables) featuring the libraryrsquos Web siteother services on tables in dining halls and the student union
6 Have library messages appear on electronic message boards around campus Explore getting electronic signage for the library
7 Use ldquoA-framesrdquo or easels inside and outside the library to display posters or a calendar of events Sponsor contests on- and offline 8 Plant ldquofootprintsrdquo around campusmdashall leading to the library Publicize their imminent appearance and offer a prize such as a free pizza coupon to the first 50 or so students who check in at the Information Desk
9 Provide and publicize an idea exchange on the libraryrsquos Web site for students to post their best tips for studying and using the library
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
33
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
10 Invite campus celebrities to appear on posters for the library 11 Invite well-known graduates to do readingsgive talksmake appearances at the library Ask for their testimonials to include in ads in the student newspaper and other library publicity materials
12 Print a coupon for free coffeecopies at the libraryrsquos cafeacute or bookstore or self-checkout receipts 13 Run the libraryrsquos message in campus plannerscalendars 14 Give away library brochures and promotional items such as bookmarks highlighters or pens in registration packets and at orientation 15 Host tourssponsor a reception for parents and alumni during orientation
or homecoming 15 Enter a float in the homecoming parade
16 Ask faculty to include a library message eg ldquoGot questions Get answers your libraryrdquo in course handouts
17 Send brief and lively announcements of training classes study tips new materials and other updates via e-mail distribution lists
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
34
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
1 Know their special interestsmdashprofessional and personalmdashand provide them with items of interest
2 Be a team player Tie your library promotional efforts to those of the collegeuniversity as a whole and let administrators know of your support
3 Make sure they receive key publications such as the library newsletter annual report announcements of new services programming or initiatives of note
4 Keep them aware and informed of collaboration with other departments special outreach and promotion activities Invite their participation in programs and events when appropriate
5 Be visible in major campus events such as Homecoming orientation and Alumni Day
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
35
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
B Tip for the Administrators and Faculty
6 Provide opportunities to increase both their visibility and the libraryrsquos by inviting them to speak or participate in special promotions such as working at the reference desk possibly during National Library Week or exam time Publicize their involvement
7 Give them more than numbers Make a point of including success stories of students faculty and other researchers and how the library and its staff contributed
8 Take advantage of forums such as the Faculty Senate or Curriculum Committee to deliver your message Also seek one-on-one time when appropriate
9 Serve on influential committees such as the Administrators Advisory Group or Staff Advisory Council
10 Package and present your libraryrsquos special promotional items such as coffee mugs sticky notes or T-shirts
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
36
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
Special Tips for Faculty
1 Host a ldquopublished this yearrdquo party Include librarians who have published 2 Be active in faculty and other governance organizations 3Participate in a faculty mentoring program 4 Cultivate professors who already use the library to become your
advocates 5 Hold a retreat for faculty willing to collaborate on a joint project 6 Create a ldquoFaculty Guide to the Librariesrdquo with all the essentials key
contact names phone numbers course reserve procedures etc 7 Research and let them know about grant opportunities in their field 8 Ask faculty to include the contact information of the library subject
specialist on their syllabi 9 Provide your business cards to faculty to give out when referring their
students 10 Lobby for a place on the curriculum development committee
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
37
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
1 Start by gathering information on your campus demographics and organized cultural groups such as African American Native American Asian American and other student associations Also research multicultural outreach that other departments and other libraries have done Make a plan
2 Solicit input and feedback from campus multicultural leaders Assign a library staff liaison to work with student associations
3 Form an outreach committee with representatives from various groups to give input on services and programming
4 Incorporate multicultural outreach into established and emerging library services (eg instruction reference collection development and digital library initiatives)
5 Develop events related to special collections of ethnic materials eg African American or Latino Studies
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
38
Promotional Strategies for Academic Libraries
C Multicultural Audiences
6 See Chasersquos Calendar of Events for observances such as Latino Heritage Month Polish Heritage Month or Cinco de Mayo to build programming around Also use opportunities such as National Library Week for multicultural outreach
7 Tie events to issues of information access knowledge construction and culture
8 Collaborate with other departments and organizations in developing and financing multicultural programming Also work with community organizations if many students live off campus 9 Use multicultural programming and outreach to promote librarianship as a career 10 Establish a peer advisory or minority residency program
11 Promote the one-on-one-assistance available your library Assign librarians to mentor students
12 Make the library a welcoming place for multicultural audiences with multicultural art in the library and name rooms and even entire libraries after authors scholars and leaders of different cultural traditions
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
39
You donrsquot have to be a public relations
expert to promote your library You just
have to talk about your libraryrdquo
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
40
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
Attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literature and productive
Support library referenda in elections
Write to your state and federal legislators and demand that library service be viewed and funded as a necessary public service
4 Share you concern with friends family neighbors and co-workers Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally ndash or in their own communities Encourage others to get involved
5 Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or call in to a radio talk show to express your concern
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
41
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
6Speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to ndashthe PTA Chamber of Commerce Kiwanis League of Women Voters faculty groups Invite your librarian to talk about library services and needs ldquoIf they donrsquot ask we offerrdquo7Network in person at monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings and electronically to stay in touch with city hall and other organizations with a short email8Use direct marketing mailing a calendar of events three times a year ldquoPatrons comment that they cling to these so they know what is going on at the libraryrdquo
9Send press releases (randomly rather than regularly) to local media and request a writer and photographer be send to cover stories10Sponsor a table at the high schoolrsquos career fair or the hospitalrsquos health fair
11Create regular exhibits and displays to keep a new and fresh look for the library
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
42
Promotional Strategies for Public Libraries
12Work with the Friends of the Library and other groups such as donating a basket of items to the Chamberrsquos annual Holiday Raffle
13Attend business community events open houses etc 14Use direct marketing effectively for annual reports or
launching new services like expanded hours 15Limit advertising in print media and target it to the local
service area 16Hold several internet training classes and classes on
accessing online databases 17Establish good PR with special events such as the annual
arts endowment event to raise the image of the library
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
43
3 Electronic Journals Promotion
1 Introduction and demonstration of the new service in faculty meetings
2 Close communication with faculty boards and decentralized automation units in order to be sure that the right software would be installed on faculty desktops and that printing facilities were available near the faculty rooms
3 Distribution of flyers and posters4 Featuring articles in campus magazines5 Stickers on hard copy issues of journals to remind
users these issues were also available in electronic form from their desktop
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
44
4 Web Site Promotion
a Publicize the URL
b Register your site with the main search engines bull Alta Vista
bull Lycos
bull Excite
bull HotBot
c Register with other search engines
d Register with web directories
Yahoo (wwwyahoocom) is the most well-known and still the most popular web directory Its registration process takes place over four web forms
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
45
4 Web Site Promotion
e Ask for links on related sites
f Use banner advertising
g Sponsor content
h Impress the community with your expertise
i Publish regularly-updated content on your site
j Use mailing lists to maintain a dialogue with your visitors
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
46
As librarians we should be actively marketing and
promoting our library and services The basic aim of
marketing is to build strong customer relationships
with the library users
Sometimes promotion is not a one time activity
but an ongoing concern for innovating libraries
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
47
CLOSING WORDS
In closing may I read the story from the Readerrsquos Digest on ldquoPromoting Issues and Ideasrdquo by M Booth and Associates Inc
ldquohellip if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying lsquoCircus Coming to the Fairground Saturday thatrsquos advertising If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town thatrsquos promotion If the elephant walks through the mayorrsquos flower bed thatrsquos publicity And if you get the mayor to laugh about it thatrsquos public relationsrdquo If the townrsquos citizens go the circus you show them the many entertainment booths explain how much fun theyrsquoll have spending money at the booths answer their questions and ultimately they spend a lot at the circus thatrsquos sales
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
Thank you very much
Presented during the 21ST General Assembly of SOCOLA and Seminar-Workshop on Organizing amp Managing Library amp Media Center Services held at the Educational Technology Center Notre Dame of Dadiangas University General Santos City October 25-26 2007
Virginia I Caintic Director Learning and Information Center University of Mindanao Bolton Street Davao City
v_caintic2000yahoocom Mobile phone 09217142831
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
Nicholas J (1998) Marketing and Promotion of Library Services Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwesoorggen-faclibrarieslisa3nicholasjhtml
Nims JK (1999) Marketing library instruction services changes and trends References Services Review ( 27) 249-253 Retrieved on October 10 2007 from http proquestumicom
Roes H (1999) Promotion of electronic journals to users by libraries ndash case study of Tilburg University Library Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwhroesdearticleslondon99htm
The School Library Media Specialist Program Administration Retrieved on July 16 2007 httpwwweduscapescomsmsadvocacypromotionhtml
School Library Website ActivitiesPromotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpuserstpgcomauwelwelshowponyactivitieshtm
Wenhong Ju Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS Library Management Bradford 2006 Vol 27 Iss 67 pg 336 Retrieved on July 16 2007 from http proquestumicom
Zikmund W G and drsquoAmico M (2001) Marketing Creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world Cincinnati Ohio South-Western College Pub
49
REFERENCES
Basic Definitions Advertising Marketing Promotion and Public Relations and Sales Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwmanagementhelporgad_prmotdefintionhtm
The Campaign for Americarsquos Libraries your library TM (2001)Retrieved on June 29 2006 fromhttpwwwalaorgalapiocampaignacademicresearchtoolkitfinaltext2pdf
Kathuria P and Wales F (1999) Web site promotion Retrieved on July 16 2007 from httpwwwlimovcomlibrarypromotionlml
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