Marketing at Your Library!

Presented by:Jaime Stoops

Pamunkey Regional LibraryTuesday, May 22, 10:30-11:45am

Overview

• Importance of marketing in your library

• Marketing Ideas and Techniques– Physical (i.e. shelving, displays)– Staff Initiated (i.e. interaction with your

customers)– New Mechanicsville Library

• Share ideas from your library!

Why is marketing important?

“’But, we’re free!’, we cry. Sure, that’s an attraction, but it’s not enough. Free or not, people won’t spend time in a library unless the experience contributes something to

their day.”

Source: Woodward, Jeannette. Creating the Customer-Driven Library: Building on the Bookstore Model. Chicago: American Library Association, 2005.

What does ‘marketing’ mean in your library?

• Displays

• Flyers

• Posters

• Bulletin Boards

Marketing is also…

Customer Service

Visibility

Promotion

Presentation

Successful marketing strategies are

• Customer driven• Staff Initiated• Visually interesting• Ever changing

      “Make it simple. Make it memorable. Make it inviting to look at. Make it fun to read.”

~ Leo Burnett Pioneer American advertising Executive, 1891-1971

Promoting Programs

Draw more attention with big posters!

Utilize foyer space!

Creative Shelving

Before After

TIP: Facing out books provides more visual interest and draws the patrons to them!

Dynamic Shelving

• More space to highlight popular titles and newer books

• Offers budget friendly display space

• Alerts browsing patrons to their favorite authors

• Ever changing book display

Use every opportunity!

• Use shelf space to highlight additional resources• Reminds staff to mention resources in the stacks• Introduces new resources to the self sufficient

patrons

Sort by Genre

Focus patron’s attention on creative, themed displays!

Display Tips

• Use color and props

• Get creative!• Promote new

materials• Use available

space but resist clutter!

Signage Tips

• Stick with up-to-date posters

• Resist the urge to display a lot of posters

• Accuracy/Good Direction

• Periodicals vs. Magazines, and other library lingo

Get staff involved!

Engage the patrons!

• Pass out the flyers• Talk about programs

with patrons• Ask for suggestions• Mail out flyers with

welcome letters• Email

ADULT PROGRAMS

SCORE – How to Start Your Own BusinessJuly 18th, 2006, 7 p.m.

Gardening – Composting & soil preparation and amendmentJuly 27th, 2006, 7 p.m.

Gardening – Landscaping and lawn care, America’s Anniversary GardenAugust 3rd, 2006, 7 p.m.

Elderhostel – Travling CheapAugust 3rd, 2006, 7 p.m.

Digital Point & Shoot Hints and PhotoshopAugust 5th, 2005 10a.m.

Antiques Appraisal BonanzaSeptember 23rd, 10a.m.

Wild Birds Unlimited – Backyard Habitat Do’s and Don’tsOctober 26,2006, 7 p.m.

Hanover Commonwealth Attorney Kirby Porter – Identity Theft AwarenessNovember 14th, 2006, 7 p.m.

Please check those you are interested in or make your own suggestions and leave them at the circulation desk!Thanks for your help!

Name ______________________Phone _____________________

Promote outside of the library

• Advertise in local papers

• Contact local news stations

• Post in local stores, churches, apartment complexes, etc.

Get the word out!

Customer Centric Concepts

Quiet Reading Room

Group Study Rooms

Few things to remember…

• Get staff involved!

• Promote outside of the library

• Get creative, use what you have!

• Make marketing a priority!

This presentation can be found at

www.pamunkeylibrary.org/marketing.htm