The dedicated people who work in libraries support their patrons in many ways. Perhaps one of the most important, and least visible, population segments they assist are marginalized peoples. When those in the LGBTQ+ or homeless communities seek out guidance, libraries are there. But if you want to proactively offer services to them, or to BIPOC teens, disabled individuals, and others, how can you reach them?
This session will teach you the basics of outreach communication, then show you how to apply them to get your messages to those in need, even if they don't have email or internet service. After this webinar, you will:
• Know how and why to separate populations into “target audiences”
• Understand the importance of basic audience research
• Be able to craft attention-getting messages
• Know where to place messages so they’ll be seen, online and offline
• Have ideas for helpful partnerships
These strategies will be especially helpful to those who don’t have prior communications training, or who don’t have a plan and / or a budget for outreach. Even solo librarians can benefit. Any library worker will leave this session with more knowledge and confidence in communicating with hard-to-reach segments of their communities. LEVEL: BEGINNER
Strategies for Outreach to Marginalized Populations
Kathy Dempsey wrote the popular how-to book The Accidental Library Marketer and founded her own marketing consultancy, Libraries Are Essential. Her work is dedicated to helping librarians and information professionals promote their value and expertise to gain respect and funding. Kathy has been the Editor of Marketing Library Services newsletter for 28 years and was formerly editor-in-chief of Computers in Libraries magazine. She's Founding Chair of the Library Marketing and Communications Conference. This writer, editor, and marketing maven has been giving presentations across the U.S. and Canada for 25+ years, always sprinkling them with humor to make marketing concepts more interesting and accessible.
