New Report From OCLC: “U.S. Public Libraries: Marketing and Communications Landscape”

From OCLC:

To learn more about how public libraries communicate, OCLC conducted a survey among US public libraries that asked general questions about active engagement efforts. Questions covered marketing concerns and barriers, communication channels, how they use email marketing, and much more.
This report provides an overview of how US public libraries communicate to their users and the broader community. Results confirm that libraries do a lot with limited resources, there’s a focus on social media, and that efforts successfully increase community awareness about the library.

Findings Include:
As part of communications efforts:

• 96% use social media

• 84% post photos, videos, or library information on social media

• 70% send email messages

• 40% have a communications strategy, but only 17% say it’s current

• 71% say they don’t have the necessary staff resources

• 25% have marketing professionals on staff

Direct to Full Text Report (8 pages; PDF)

Filed under: Libraries, News, Patrons and Users, Public Libraries