Monday, January 2, 2017

Promotional techniques

  • Exhibit 
    • Bulletin boards 
    • Displays 
  • Printed publicity 
    • Brochures 
  • Web pages 
  • Special events 
    • Open houses 
  • Library orientation 
    • Tours 
      • Virtual 
      • Orientation 
  • Current awareness 
  • Fundraising 
  • Programming
Exhibits 
  • Bulletin boards 
  • Displays 
  • Purpose 
    • Communicate a message 
    • Foster participation 
    • Instruct/inform 
    • Promote use of services and resources 
    • Encourage interest in under-utilized resources 
    • Why is the exhibit being created? 
    • What do you hope to achieve? 
  • Types of exhibits 
    • Instructional 
      • Mainly in educational libraries 
    • Promotional 
      • Display highlighted resources 
    • Interactive
      • Computer set-up at display, participate in exhibit 
    • Patron/client designed 
      • Fostering participation 
Exhibit criteria 
  • Relate exhibit to mission of library and its parent organization 
  • Exhibit must be sponsored or approved by library 
  • Fairness concerning issues of possible controversy 
  • Be aesthetically pleasing 
  • Display relevant materials 
  • Promote materials and functions of library 
  • Facilitate cooperative relations with community
Part-time Public Relations with Full-time Results. Chicago: ALA, 1995. p. 11 

Is what you’re doing clear and evident? Does it attract and hold attention? Does it motivate people to do something? Does it cause conversation? 

Printed publicity 
  • Types 
    • Newsletters
      • Print 
      • Electronic 
        • Use both to reach everyone 
    • Brochures 
    • Flyers 
      • Use 1 sheet for any event 
    • Posters 
      • Big
      • Encourage
      • Alert 
    • Bookmarks
      • Hours
      • Locations 
    • Annual reports 
      • Promotional
      • Charts
      • Be creative
Printed publicity criteria 
  • Reflect today’s society 
    • Use recycled paper 
  • Create consistent look
    • Logo 
    • Mascot
    • Attractive
  • Be consistent with parent organization 
    • Parent organization should be recognisable in logo 
    • Colour 
  • Think about a logo 
  • Date all items 
    • Month, year 
    • Bottom corner
  • Keep language clear and precise
    • Aim to patrons
    • Don’t use lingo
    • Use plain English 
  • Use appropriate graphics
  • Use appropriate photos 
    • Angle focus 
    • Related 
Newsletters 
  • Purpose
    • Improve communication 
      • Success stories 
      • Odds overcome 
    • Keep staff and clients abreast of new services 
      • Aim different news to different groups 
    • Encourage support for library 
      • Tell people what’s happening 
      • What has gone well? 
    • Highlight special events 
Brochures 
  • Purpose 
    • Relay information about library as a whole or a particular service 
  • Some consideration 
    • Message and target audience
      • Who is the target audience? 
      • What message are you trying to send? 
    • Visual aids to reinforce message 
    • Cost of producing brochure 
Posters and bookmarks 
  • Often used for a particular event/week 
  • May be produced by an outside agency for distribution in libraries 
    • Fosters community support 
Annual reports 
  • Purpose 
    • Itemize library’s activities and budget for previous years 
    • Photos, charts, shows general atmosphere 
  • Will be presented to senior management 
  • Some are extremely attractive and well-thought out 
    • Creative 
    • Business like 
    • Presents information clearly 
Library orientations 
  • Locational tours 
    • Virtual tours online 
  • How to use the library’s resources 
    • Classroom/workshop settings in groups or one-on-one targets specific groups individually
Library orientations are important techniques

Current awareness 
  • SDI
    • Selective dissemination of information 
  • Bibliographies on “hot topics” 
    • Pathfinders 
    • Individual profiles 
  • Acquisitions lists 
Very important in special libraries 

Be proactive, provide before users realise they need it

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