Congratulations! You’ve made some real progress! You might have already offered staff training, built a specialized collection, or even launched a reading group with your regular library users. But… you know you could reach more people if only they knew about what you’re doing. Communication is the key to making sure your efforts don’t remain hidden. Let’s brainstorm some ways to increase your visibility:
Social Media
An obvious first step is using social media, but it’s not enough to rely on your own channels—otherwise, you’ll mostly reach people who already know and love the library. To expand your audience:
- Cross-post with partners. Connect with schools, social service agencies, neighborhood associations, and other local organizations who can repost your events and amplify your reach.
- Tap into civic networks. Groups like the Rotary Club, Business Improvement Districts, the Chamber of Commerce, city government, and even local legislators are often looking for positive stories to share.
- Engage local media. Reach out to community radio, TV, and newspapers—many have free community calendars or will happily feature stories about partnerships that strengthen the community.
- Tell stories, not just announcements. Share impact stories, testimonials, or “day in the life” features that highlight the human side of your programs.
Remember: Amplification is a two-way street. Don’t just ask others to promote your programs—boost theirs, too. Coordinated sharing helps build long-term relationships.
Deeper Connections
Social media is powerful, but real visibility comes from embedding the library into the fabric of the community. This means stepping beyond the library walls and joining the conversations that shape your city.
- Join boards and commissions. Many communities have commissions on housing, homelessness, harm reduction, youth services, or public health. Volunteering as a member—or better yet, chairing a committee—positions the library as an active player in solving community problems.
- Serve strategically. Your role as a volunteer is to serve the mission of that organization, not just to promote the library. But by being at the table, you can help others see how the library’s resources, space, and staff expertise can support their goals.
- Bring back insights. These roles also help you better understand emerging community needs, which can guide your programming and collections.
When you share successes and needs with other organizations, you build trust and open doors for collaboration. Far from being a conflict of interest, this creates synergy—where your library’s work enhances the work of others, and vice versa.
Other Ways to Get the Word Out
- Community Events. Host a table at health fairs, farmers’ markets, neighborhood festivals, or back-to-school nights. Even simple outreach like handing out bookmarks or flyers can spark awareness.
- Strategic Partnerships. Ask partner organizations to include your programs in their newsletters or staff trainings. For example, a local shelter might mention your resources during client intake.
- In-Library Promotion. Don’t overlook the power of your own space! Posters, displays, and interactive bulletin boards can draw attention from current users who might not know about new initiatives.
- Word-of-Mouth. Encourage your staff, volunteers, and program participants to spread the word. A personal recommendation is often more powerful than an ad.
In Short
Be a giver and a receiver. Offer support, amplify others, and actively engage with the networks around you. The more your library is seen as a trusted partner and connector, the more your message will naturally spread.
Readings:
Crabtree, L., Latham, D., Gross, M., Baum, B., & Randolph, K. (2024). Social workers in the stacks: Public librarians’ perceptions and experiences. Public Library Quarterly, 43(1), 109-134
Garner, J. (2025). Public library partnerships: Using collaborative governance to support vulnerable users. Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association, 74(1), 4-23.
Hammock, A., Pandolfelli, G., Samuel, T., Fils-Aimé, P., Grande, M., D’Ambrosion, M., Murphy, M., Kaur, S., Logan, J., Feuerstein-Simon, R., Cannuscio, C., & Benz Scott, L. (2023). Understanding how suburban public librarians respond to the health and social needs of communities. Library & Information Science Research, 45(1), 101217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2022.101217
Soska, T. M., & Navarro, A. (2020). Social workers and public libraries: A commentary on an emerging interprofessional collaboration. Advances in Social Work, 20(2), 409-423.