Powerful Public Relations

Library professionals and contributors in communications and library science give advice on promoting library use to the public, offering strategies for producing brochures using desktop technology, creating a Web-based public relations plan, developing multimedia promotional programs in the library, and planning special events and exhibits that generate publicity and attendance. Sample screen captures, press releases, and public service announcements are included. Karp is associate vice president for academic affairs at Clarion University. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Alison Kastner - VOYA

Librarians and public relations specialists present advice here on marketing and development activities, press releases, designing library publications, creating welcoming Web pages, designing multimedia programs, and designing and publishing a library newsletter. Of note is a straightforward chapter on planning special events, which is bound to come in handy even for those who are experienced in the area. Also of interest is the chapter "Interactive Multimedia Programs via Touch Screen Kiosks and CD-ROMs," which discusses technologies that many libraries might not yet have considered. The book includes a thorough index, sample press releases, brochures and flyers, and annotated bibliographies. Most article authors are based in academic settings, which perhaps explains the lack of information on merchandising within the library and entrepreneurial activities, issues with which many public libraries are grappling. For some large urban public library systems with their own PR departments, this manual might seem remedial. Nevertheless, it will be a good title for new librarians who want to familiarize themselves with the field and for smaller libraries that would like to do more public relations. Index. Illus. Biblio. 2002, ALA Editions, 90p,