« Permanent Fulltime Jobs | HomePage | Libraries and Internet »
14/03/2005
Library Promotion
As the LT in this library there's only so much I can do in terms of promoting the library. A proper promotion programme is something I just don't have the authority to do. I can still do promotion for individual people who walk in. There's a variety of tactics to be employed at my level to get the most information out. For example even if they don't ask for assistance I can be proactive and ask them if they found what they wanted. When they say they don't want to be trouble I can chuckle and say this is our job, it's what we're paid for. If they ask for a book I can ask them if they are interested in journal articles. If I know someone is working in a particular area I can find a gorgeous internet resource and ask them if they've seen it. If I'm talking to someone outside the library I can steer a conversation around to what I do and how the library could help them.
Having a mindset to share is always good for this as is having a mindset to do whatever you can to ensure your job stays in existence.
That said there is still an ongoing problem of senior staff not taking promotion seriously. Either they don't have time, or they think they have a captive audience or they are inexperienced in organising a promotion campaign or they just aren't interested. Dissatisfied lib'ns looking for other jobs are the worst for this. Short sighted, narrow minded and only thinking of their own needs, not interested in people getting their information needs met or the long term survival of libraries. For those who of you who aren't interested, it's just part of the job, something you are paid to do, stop fussing. For those who are inexperienced pick up a book, for those who think they have a captive audience, just watch them walk, or those who think you don't have time, you'll have plenty when the library closes or reduces hours.
10:10 Permalink | Email this