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