Marketing Library and Information Services: Comparing Experiences at Large Institutions

Abstract

How do the libraries at large institutions market information services to a diverse community of users in an increasingly digital and complex environment? Both Indiana University and Abbott Laboratories are large organizations with multifaceted collections of information. This paper explores some of the similarities and differences between publicizing information services within the academic and corporate environments, and it shows some innovative online marketing tools, including an animated gif model of a large, integrated current awareness system, that helps educate users and spreads the word about changes in the library, new opportunities for staying informed, and new information tools. Details about how this model was created are presented. This paper also suggests that computer literate librarians can be very effective in applying their skills to the marketing process in libraries.