GET YOUR
MARKETING
DEGREE IN 45 MIN.
A quick lesson on easy (and often free) ways to
promote your libraries!
A Little About Me…
I am not a Librarian (
).
I don’t have much experience working in libraries (
).
I am an experienced communicator with a (almost)
business degree.
I’m always willing to help.
Find my contact
info at the bottom
of each slide!
You must understand…
A library
is a
Why is a library a business?
Offers services and products (key term: value)
that are regulated by supply and demand
Has physical and virtual locations
Must deal with financial/budget and HR/staff
concerns
The Four Ps of Marketing
Books eBooks, audiobooks, video games Digital/online services Classes/ personalProduct
FREE!! … except for taxes, fines, etc.Price
Branches Website Bookmobile/ OutreachPlace
This is where it gets a little tricky…Promotion
PROMOTION
Why is value important?
Our patrons are our livelihood
We need them to prove our worth in our
communities
We need them to support our referendums
We are not guaranteed!
Creating VALUE
“A customer is the most important visitor
on our premises. He is not dependent on
us. We are dependent on him. He is not
an interruption of our work. He is the
purpose of it. He is not an outsider of
our business. He is part of it. We are not
doing him a favor by serving him. He is
doing us a favor by giving us the
opportunity to do so.”
What value do libraries provide?
Education/learning opportunities
Marketable skills (think: job search)
Family fun
Hobby exploration
Historical archive (community asset)
Customer service
Library Value Calculator
Massachusetts Library
Association
http://www.ilovelibraries.org
/getinformed/getinvolved
/calculator
More info from Maine State
Library:
https://www.maine.gov/msl/
services/calculator.htm
Library Value Calculator
North Carolina Library
Association
http://www.nclaonline.org
/issues-
advocacy/library-value-calculator
Creating Value
How are we better than our
competitors?
Creating Value
How are they better?
Always (usually) have the most
popular items available
Convenience (really?)
Better hours
More items available
Better marketing
How are we better?
Free to use
Professional help to find the resources
you need
Convenience!
Patrons can help dictate how we
Use the News Media
Keep an updated contact list
Make regular contact with news media
NEVER turn down a request for an interview
Try to reply to requests as soon as possible
Offer to do a regular blog/column/appearance
Send them your newsletters
Encourage them to “like” your Facebook page
Use Social Media
Beth Chiasson Lafayette Public Library System bchiasso@state.lib.la.us (337) 261-5783
