192 pages
6" x 9"
Softcover
ISBN-13: 978-0-8389-0984-3
Year Published: 2009
AP Categories: A, I, T
Read Mathews's article from the American Libraries April 2009 issue.
In Marketing Today’s Academic Library, Brian Mathews uses his vast experience to speak directly to the academic library practitioner about matching services with user needs. This book proposes new visions and ideas, challenging the traditional way of thinking and providing a framework to target users more precisely.
Most library marketing intended for undergraduates promotes the collection, reference and instructional service, and occasional events such as guest speakers or exhibits. The guiding principle of Marketing Today’s Academic Library is that marketing should focus on the lifestyle of the user, showcasing how the library fits within the daily life of the student. Mathews’ personal and compelling presentation will assist readers in
- Challenging and rethinking their marketing strategies
- Demonstrating their value through applied relevance
- Focusing on the needs of the student and their expectations
Written in a concise and engaging manner that speaks to popular anxiety points about new marketing techniques, this book is filled with tips and strategies that academic librarians can use to communicate with students, surpassing students' expectations of their library experience.
Table of Contents
Foreword – Del Ross, InterContinental Hotels Group Acknowledgments Prologue – Becoming Ubiquitous 1 Do Libraries Need to Advertise? 2 Defining the User 3 Student Need States 4 The Library as Product 5 Conducting Marketing Research 6 Building Relationships 7 Developing Brand Strategies 8 Promotional Building Blocks 9 Designing Messages 10 Measuring the Impact 11 Putting It All Together Epilogue – Staging Academic Experiences Afterword – Amanda McNamee, Georgia Institute of Technology Index
About the Author
Brian Mathews is the Assistant University Librarian for Outreach & Academic Services at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has previously served as the user experience librarian at the Georgia Institute of Technology and as a reference librarian at the George Washington University. Brian has published numerous journal articles and is an active speaker and panel member on a variety of library topics, particularly on increasing the awareness of library services to students. He is also an advocate for empathic design, and is currently exploring new ways of encouraging patrons to participate in scholarly, creative, cultural, and service-oriented endeavors. His blog is The Ubiquitous Librarian.
Reviews
“This book is an excellent practical text for academic librarians, presenting ideas on increasing visibility by establishing relationships with students ... recommended for all academic libraies.”
--ARBA
"… highly recommended not only for academic institutions but also for all professionals willing to look at libraries from an innovative perspective. Mathew's vision is refreshing, challenging, and ubiquitous. A must read."
--Journal of Academic Librarianship
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