Library outreach to young people and their families may not come naturally to everyone, but the good news is that this book provides a wide variety of ways to get started. With tightened library budgets becoming the norm, librarians run the risk of cutting back so much that they isolate themselves from their patrons and their communities. This doesn't have to happen. The outreach methods detailed here range from simple actions to detailed processes, providing helpful information for those new to library outreach and those with years of experience.

It is an exciting time to be a librarian. Advances in technology have allowed libraries to expand far beyond walls and lead the way in information delivery, while at the same time transforming the physical space of the library into a place where customers can connect to information in new ways. At the same time, it is a challenging time to be a librarian. With continual change as the new normal, staying current can seem overwhelming. Even facing budget shortfalls and staff reductions, librarians are tasked with finding the time and resources to keep abreast of rapid changes. This book offers a cornucopia of practical advice about how to acquire new skills as well as formal and informal credentials through all stages of a career. The 27 essays are divided into eight parts, covering topics such as formal and online education, conferences, fellowships, workshops, networking, teaching, mentoring, balancing a personal life with a professional one, and matters of money. Filled with practical, honest, and real-world advice, the book will prove valuable to librarians of all kinds.

In the current economic climate, most librarians recognize the critical importance of marketing as a means of self-preservation, largely accepting that the future of libraries requires marketing in order to increase library use and public perceptions of worth. However, few librarians have prior professional experience marketing products or services and the majority must balance marketing duties with many other job responsibilities. This anthology offers practical insight on marketing techniques specifically designed for libraries. Concise, how-to case studies from practicing public, school, academic, and special librarians provide proven strategies to improve brand management, campaign organization, community outreach, media interaction, social media, and event planning and implementation. Intended for the novice and the old hand, individuals and large staffs, this valuable guide provides librarians with the effective marketing tools necessary to help their libraries thrive in these challenging times.