Events, Exhibits, Programs & Tours

Below are some concepts and ideas for events, exhibits, programs and tours to promote library services and collections.



Active marketing
Active forms of marketing such as classes, tours and workshops requires commitment, skill and persistence. A good combination of both active and passive marketing will give continual results.

Anniversaries and commemorations
Use occasions such as anniversaries, commemorations and annual celebrations as inspiration for events. Events can coincide with events such as Library and Information Week, anniversaries and birthdays of persons associated with the library or collections, and national holidays such as Easter and Christmas.

Blog-a-thon
Invite patrons to submit a blog post about a collection or collection item to compete for prizes.

Book prizes
Consider awarding a ‘book of the year’ prize to a newly-published resource in your collection. Perhaps patrons could vote on a shortlist of newly-added materials. Publicise which titles have been the most accessed or borrowed throughout the year.

Book sales
Many libraries host regular sales of deaccessioned library stock with proceeds either going back into the library, or to charity.

Collaborate
Plan events with others as a package or program or events, this this way you can share marketing exposure.

Exhibits
Exhibiting library material is a great way to engage patrons in your collections and to clearly demonstrate the contents of those collections. Theme exhibits according to the strengths of your collections. If you are short on time, consider hosting volunteers, student or researcher curated exhibits.

Expert advice
Showcase experts who are willing to share their knowledge one-on-one to patrons. For example: plan an Antiques Roadshow-style event showcasing document preservation experts who appraise and evaluate historical documents brought to the event by persons attending.

Gamification
Libraries have had success in engaging current and new customers using gamification, such as information scavenger hunts to introduce customers to using the library and its resources. Use prizes as an incentive for people to join in.

Human library
A human library event is one where people rather than books are loaned to patrons for a discussion, often on topics which challenge stereotypes and prejudice.

Information sessions
Run regular information sessions introducing library spaces, services, resources and collections.

Lectures
Whether you are presenting a lecture yourself, or inviting an outside speaker, lectures are a great way to attract particular audience segments.

Library crawl
Collaborate with other libraries, collections or GLAM institutions in your area to develop a library crawl. Challenge participants to visit as many locations as possible by using a ‘passport’ to collect stamps or answer questions about what they see at the libraries. Encourage participants to check-in on social media to win a prize. To extend the reach of such events, perhaps partner with a wider program of events in your area.

Open house
Consider running regular open house events to show patrons areas they cannot normally access. There is a definite appeal to going behind-the-scenes to ‘secret’ areas, and it may be possible to monetise such opportunities to cover costs. To extend the reach of such events, perhaps partner with a program of events in your area, such as Open House Melbourne or Sydney Open.

Oral histories
If the subject is willing, consider opening the recording of an oral history to members of the public.

Panel discussions
Panel discussions are relatively easy to put together however they do require some planning to ensure success.

Show and tell
One of the easiest ways to display library materials to tour groups is through a ‘show and tell’ method, whereby one person flicks through the item while another tells what is known about it. Preparing for show and tell events is also a great opportunity to research collection items.

Social events
If your spaces are suitable, why not use the library to hold social events for patrons, invited guests, or as a commercial offering. Host an annual reception for stakeholders to thank them for their support and to provide updates.

Social programs
Raise the profile of the library and connect with clients in a fun and casual way through social programs such as book clubs.

Surveys
Conduct surveys of audience feedback following events. Surveys provide quantifiable data and offer a means for examining scheduling, venue, and content as well as suggestions for topics and speakers for upcoming events.

Talks
Book talks, readings and signings are great ways to promote items and resources in your collections, or areas of professional study. Dramatic readings and marathon readings, where the whole book is read, have become popular over the past few years. Choose a book which is of special interest to your community of patron, or one related to a donor or a collection perhaps. At each event have relevant collection items on display, or use the event to support an exhibition.

Video screenings
If you have permission to screen audio-visual items in your collections, why not host a video, film or documentary screening event or series.

Workshops
Hold informational workshops on subjects such as printing, papermaking, artists’ books, marbling, or conservation.