Marketing the Library

It's a slow night, so I'm reading posts from The M Word which more or less gives lists of marketing do's and don't's specifically aimed at libraries.  The May 5 post, for example, looks at how to promote a library newsletter.

Okay, first off, I'm surprised that ANY library has a newsletter that's in print form these days.  I contribute to The Reader, SCC's former newsletter, now blog.  While The Reader has some readers, it doesn't have as many as I would wish.  And this brings me to my constant dilemma:  As a part-time librarian who works two nights a week, should I suggest some ways to promote The Reader and the library?  (I was a publicist for a book publisher from 2000-2003, so have some experience in this realm, experience I'm happy to share.)

My answer in the past has been seek out the librarian under whose venue a project falls and to offer to help.  My suggestions of ways to improve the library's perceived presence on campus, however, haven't been met with much excitement or acceptance.  Although I must admit that The Reader editors have let me suggest and write a few blog postings.

I'm ambivalent about all of this.  I'm annoyed that so few instructors and my guess is no students are reading the blog.  Few instructors take advantage of library orientations for their classes.  Few students know what the library offers and how to access its materials and services.  So what should I do as a part-timer?  I wish I knew.