rusq: Vol. 53 Issue 2: p. 194
Sources: Marketing Your Library’s Electronic Resources
Allison Embry

Access Services and Distance Learning Librarian, Rogers State University, Claremore, Oklahoma

Many libraries have shifted collection development practices in favor of electronic resources to better meet their users’ needs. Despite these efforts, however, costly electronic resources often receive little use. Low usage of these resources may be due to lack of marketing rather than lack of need, but few librarians have the knowledge necessary to implement an effective marketing program. Kennedy and LaGuardia, both academic librarians, have written an accessible and readable guide focused on increasing usage of electronic resources through thoughtful marketing. The book is organized in two sections: the first focuses on how to identify underused resources and design a marketing plan accordingly, and the second details examples of marketing plans created by public and academic libraries. Each chapter flows logically and is well-researched, detailing different aspects of plan design, implementation, and assessment. The authors assume that readers have no background or experience in marketing, and they provide basic but very useful examples that show how to gather usage statistics to identify which resources are underused and how to set goals for a marketing plan. The book also discusses the importance of communicating with library managers and stakeholders about why a particular resource deserves a marketing plan, and the benefits of educating and involving all staff to ensure the plan’s success. Examples of plans created by different libraries are used throughout the book, and readers will appreciate how these examples illustrate that effective electronic resource marketing plans can be created for almost any library, regardless of budget constraints. This book will be of greatest interest to librarians employed by institutions with moderate to large electronic resources collections, specifically academic and large public libraries. Taking into account the growing electronic collections at libraries in general, this work will also be beneficial to students enrolled in library management courses.



Article Categories:
  • Library Reference and User Services
    • Sources

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