It doesn’t matter how large or small the library is — you need to call attention to your library, your services, and your worth to your community!

The OLC’s Marketing and Public Relations Division has created a marketing toolkit to help you get started with some basic elements to build your library’s brand and image and promote your library’s programs and services.

Social Media

• Five Ways to Handle Negative Comments on Social Media (PDF)

New Release Template

• News Release Template:  Word Doc  |  PDF

Community Events

• Basic Library Roadshow Kit (PDF)

Department Guide

• Communications Dept. Guide (PDF)
  Sample resource for educating staff on what library marketers do and how they can help.

Free Marketing Resources

• Pixabay.com
  Resource for free, copyright free, high-quality images for flyers, posters, website, social media – all your graphics needs. (See also Pexels.com, pxhere.com and maxpixel.net)
• Pngtree.com
  Resource for images. Paid site, but you get two free images per day.
• librariandesignshare.org
  Examples of library promotion pieces (mostly print) from around the world. Inspiration for your next design.
• biteable.com
  Create short, professional-looking marketing videos for free!
• Canva.com
  Graphic design made easy, with free templates and graphics. (Note: the free version can be limited in what’s available to use, but you can still create great, professional-looking posters, flyers, social media graphics, etc.) Also allows you to upload logos and colors so your branding stays intact.
• images.nasa.gov
  Cool images from NASA.
• Nappy.co (and yes, that is without an “m” on the end!)
  Beautiful photos of people of color.
• Genderphotos.vice.com
  Stock photo library featuring images of trans and nonbinary models that go beyond the clichés.

Marketing Blogs | e-Newsletters

• Marketing Minute (PDF)
  OLC’s latest e-newsletter
• The Daily Carnage Newsletter
  The Daily Carnage is your handpicked list of the best marketing content delivered to your inbox each day.
• Super Library Marketing 
  Expert advice on library marketing. Angela Hursh’s background includes more than six years as the Content Team Leader for the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library and 20+ years as a broadcast TV journalist.

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Questions? Contact the Marketing and Public Relations Division.