# library use promotion

> promotional marketing activities for libraries

**Wikidata**: [Q119795534](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q119795534)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/library-use-promotion

## Summary
Library use promotion refers to the promotional marketing and public relations activities conducted by libraries. It is a specialized field within library and information science that aims to increase public awareness and usage of a library's collections, services, and resources. These activities are designed to engage the community and demonstrate the library's value.

## Key Facts
- **Primary Classification:** A subclass of marketing, library science, and information science.
- **Related Concepts:** Considered a form of "library extension" (UNESCO Thesaurus ID: concept474) and a facet of librarianship.
- **Aliases:** Commonly known as library marketing, library public relations, or library PR.
- **Academic Context:** In higher education, it is considered a facet of the "Universities' Third Mission," which focuses on community engagement.
- **Example Initiative:** The "Long Night of the Libraries" is a promotional initiative started in 2005 in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the main goal of library use promotion?
A: The main goal is to increase public awareness and usage of a library's services, collections, and resources. It involves marketing and public relations strategies to engage the community and highlight the library's offerings.

### Q: Is library use promotion the same as library marketing?
A: Yes, "library marketing" is a common alias for library use promotion. Other interchangeable terms include "library public relations" and "library PR."

### Q: Can you give an example of a library use promotion event?
A: A notable example is the "Long Night of the Libraries," an initiative of the German Library Association that began in 2005. This event encourages public engagement through special programming and activities held after regular hours.

## Why It Matters
Library use promotion is significant because it transforms the library from a passive repository of information into an active and essential community hub. In an era of digital information overload, libraries must actively communicate their value and relevance to attract users and secure funding. These promotional activities help libraries reach diverse and underserved populations, ensuring equitable access to information, technology, and educational programs.

By applying principles from marketing and public relations to the fields of library and information science, library use promotion helps institutions adapt to changing user needs and demonstrate their impact. For academic libraries, it is a key component of a university's "Third Mission," which emphasizes societal engagement beyond traditional teaching and research. Ultimately, effective promotion ensures that the vital resources libraries offer are known, accessible, and utilized by the communities they are meant to serve.

## Notable For
- **Interdisciplinary Nature:** It combines practices and theories from marketing, public relations, and management with the core principles of library and information science.
- **Formal Classification:** It is formally recognized as a sub-discipline of library science and is classified as a form of "library extension" under the UNESCO Thesaurus (concept474).
- **Role in Higher Education:** It is identified as a facet of the "Universities' Third Mission," positioning academic libraries as key players in community outreach and societal engagement.
- **Global Terminology:** The concept is recognized internationally, with established aliases in multiple languages, including French (relations publiques de la bibliothèque), Russian (библиотечные связи с общественностью), and Arabic (علاقات عامة للمكتبات).

## Body
### ### Classification and Scope
Library use promotion is an applied field situated at the intersection of several disciplines. It is formally categorized as a subclass of:
- **Marketing:** It employs marketing principles to promote non-profit services.
- **Library Science:** It is a core practice within the management and application of library services.
- **Information Science:** It deals with the effective dissemination of information to target audiences.

It is also considered a facet of the broader practice of **librarianship**. The UNESCO Thesaurus specifically classifies it as a form of **library extension** under the identifier `concept474`.

### ### Terminology
The practice is known by several names, which are often used interchangeably. Common English aliases include:
- Library public relations
- Library PR
- Library marketing

### ### Practical Applications
Promotional activities can range from small-scale programming to large, coordinated events. A prominent real-world example is the **Long Night of the Libraries** (Nacht der Bibliotheken).
- **Origin:** An initiative of the German Library Association.
- **Inception:** It began in 2005 in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
- **Expansion:** The event was set to expand to all of Germany starting in 2025.

### ### Context in Higher Education
Within the context of academic institutions, library use promotion is recognized as a facet of the **Universities' Third Mission**. This concept refers to the responsibility of universities to contribute to society beyond the primary missions of teaching and research. In this role, academic libraries use promotional activities to engage with the wider community, share resources, and foster knowledge exchange.

## References

1. UNESCO Thesaurus