1. Attract children to your programs with fun and easy marketing tips!
Presented By:
East Baton Rouge Parish Library
Importance of Marketing: Whys and Hows
Why is Marketing Important?
“You can build a nurturing library environment but patrons won’t come unless you tell them it’s available”
(Mates, 2004).
Marketing can “imprint a key idea about what the library does in the minds of your stakeholders” (Your Tag,
Your Brand, Your Program).
Marketing can “increase your library's perceived value, as well as library usage and support.” (Bohrer, 2005)
Marketing can build momentum & excitement (Bohrer, 2005)
How to Market Successfully:
Target your demographic
Use accessible formats
o Language
o Legibility
o Contrast
o Attractiveness
Find ways to get the word out
Word Of Mouth
Community Partners
Traditional and Technological Methods
Traditional Media
Types of Traditional Media
Posters
Displays
Word of Mouth
Program Calendars, Newsletters, Flyers, Brochures
Posters
Include what & when, age, whether or not registration is required.
Use different techniques to create posters. (shapes/textures/patterns/colors/glitter/sequins/special hole
punches)
When possible, include an example of the craft you are making
Make sure your poster isn’t too wordy, but conveys the relevant information. Don’t crowd all of the text
together, people aren’t likely to read a big block of text
Displays

2. Once posters are made– they need to be displayed!
o Poster wall
o On an easel
Samples of projects can be displayed in special ways
Stuffed animals or other characters can display information
Special signs which can be changed frequently may be used
o sandwich board signs
o dry-erase boards
Pictures of previous programs may generate interest in future programs
Word of Mouth
“Using word-of-mouth marketing can increase your library's perceived value, as well as library usage and
support” (Bohrer, 2005).
Tell your patrons about upcoming programs
Announce programs at storytimes
On the day of the program, make announcements over the PA system; invite children who are already in the
children’s area
Call registrants to remind them they have signed up
Encourage patrons to tell others about programs of interest and their experiences
Program Calendars, Newsletters, Flyers, Brochures
Make sure your branch and contact information are clearly visible
List the day, date, time of the program
Include the appropriate age group, whether registration is required, and whether latecomers will be allowed
to participate
May want to include a “tagline” or library slogan (see "Your Tag, Your Brand, Your Program” article)
Distribute to local business or community partners
o Doctor/dentist offices, churches, daycares, fast food restaurants
Have them readily available to pass out to patrons & actively hand them out
Technology and Digital Media
Types of Technology and Digital Media
Social Media
Digital Displays
QR Codes
Social Media
“Social media creates the opportunity for libraries and businesses to connect, share, and become visible.”
(Business of Social Media 2011)
Tips for success with social media:
o Listening
o Relevance
o Patience
o Accountability

3. o A personal element
Benefits of social media use:
o Low cost
o Ability to gauge usage
o Ability to solicit and obtain feedback
o Ability to update information quickly
Social Media
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Blogs
YouTube
ListServes
Tips for Using Social Media:
Have presenters mention programs they are doing on their wall or twitter account.
Make sure you update regularly.
You can use a social media manager, such as Hootsuite which posts to multiple accounts (FB, twitter, etc.) at
once.
You can start an e-mail discussion list that patrons can join and use it to find out what your users want and
think about your programs.
You can advertise programs by making videos or booktalks to post on YouTube and link to them on your
library website.
Make sure you put your social media addresses onto your paper calendars, brochures, flyers
Digital Displays
Make use of your library website to list programs and post your calendars online
Display photos of previous programs using a digital picture frame
Use a TV screen stationed in the library and have a digital display of upcoming programs
Other Technology : QR Codes
Can be created for free
Can be included on posters, displays, examples, flyers, social media, etc.
Can be read with a free app from a smart phone
Can be linked to online registration or further information on a website
Links patrons directly to information without them having to write it down
Know your users: Will they know what QR codes are and have the technology to access them?

4. Bibliography
2011. "The Business of Social Media: How to Plunder the Treasure Trove." Reference & User Services
Quarterly 51, no. 2: 127-132. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed February 14, 2013).
2011. "Your Tag, Your Brand, Your Program." School Librarian's Workshop 31, no. 4: 10-11. Library,
Information Science & Technology Abstracts, EBSCOhost (accessed February 14, 2013).
Barry, Peggy L. 2009. "Top 10 Marketing Tips for Communication and Outreach." ILA Reporter 27, no. 1: 8.
Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts, EBSCOhost (accessed December 28, 2012).
Bohrer, Clara N. 2005. "Listen to This!." Public Libraries 44, no. 2: 63. Library, Information Science &
Technology Abstracts, EBSCOhost (accessed February 14, 2013).
Brady, D. 1990. "Selling your summer program." School Library Journal 36, no. 3: 158. Academic Search
Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed December 28, 2012).
Fletcher, Jon. 2010. "Marketing for the QRious: the beginner's guide to using QR codes for library
promotions and resources." Multimedia Information & Technology 36, no. 3: 26-27. Library, Information
Science & Technology Abstracts, EBSCOhost (accessed February 14, 2013).
Jennings, Eric, and Kathryn Tvaruzka. 2010. "Quick and Dirty Library Promotions That Really Work." Journal
Of Library Innovation 1, no. 2: 6-14. Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts, EBSCOhost
(accessed December 28, 2012).
Mates, Barbara T. 2004. "ANNOUNCING THE NEW VENTURE." Library Technology Reports 40, no. 3: 65-70.
Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed December 28, 2012).
Steele, Victoria. 1995. "Pictures from our exhibition: Publishing publicity posters utilizing technology."
American Libraries 26, no. 3: 260. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed December 28, 2012).
Struckmeyer, Amanda Moss. 2012. "Reaching Tweens." Children & Libraries: The Journal Of The Association
For Library Service To Children 10, no. 2: 36-38. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed February
14, 2013).
Contact Information
Children's Services
East Baton Rouge Parish Public Library
7711 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806
225-231-3760