The Small Public Library Survival Guide: Thriving on Less

by Herbert B. Landau

If you're among the nearly 80 percent of libraries deemed "small', serving populations of 25,000 or fewer, then Landau's survival guide will give you the tested and practical techniques to ensure your small library's survival and growth. Landau, a seasoned marketer, applies his three decades of corporate marketing experience to save a small library faced with funding cuts. His customer-centric approaches have brought in resources, volunteers, and in-kind donations, and have earned his library local and national awards. In The Small Public Library Survival Guide , Landau shares practical tools and tested strategies, guiding small public library administrators, trustees, librarians, and friends to Packed with hands-on guidelines for attracting local support and building partnerships, this user-friendly guide outlines multiple avenues for obtaining funding and increasing cash flow. His low-cost, no-cost, and easily implemented techniques provide a solid foundation for small library success.

Genres: Library Science

159 pages, Paperback

First published July 31, 2008

Reviews

[Amy Layton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an interesting read!  Landau does a fantastic job expressing and detailing the ways in which he helped keep his library afloat during the recession.  He gives out many examples, such as the usual culprits (grants, donations, book sales), but also offers a unique perspective by also looking for funding through local markets and philanthropists, quirky events, partnering up and sharing services, and marketing.  

This book asks the question: are we doing everything we can?  Unfortunately, there is the trend growing within other communities that libraries can so much more with even less--which is what makes this book still timely and still effective in helping us realize not only our limitations but how much further we truly can go with what we have.  

It's well thought out, well written, and ultimately convincing and inspiring.

Review cross-listed here!

[Elvia Roldán · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lo elegí porque estoy trabajando en un proyecto para revitalizar una biblioteca, y mi experiencia se limita a librerías comerciales.

Landau no escatima en compartir sus estrategias y conocimientos adquiridos a lo largo de su experiencia en bibliotecas. Una de las principales fortalezas del libro es su enfoque en definir el rol de la biblioteca dentro de la comunidad. Landau enfatiza que comprender el papel que juega la biblioteca y su importancia para la comunidad es crucial para desarrollar cualquier estrategia.

El libro destaca la importancia de identificar las necesidades de la comunidad y convertir esas necesidades en un plan estratégico. Según Landau, las prioridades de la biblioteca deben reflejar las prioridades de sus usuarios, asegurando que la biblioteca cumpla su objetivo principal y razón de ser.

Una parte significativa del libro está dedicada a la recaudación de fondos, donde Landau comparte múltiples ideas basadas en su propia experiencia. Aunque algunas estrategias son específicas para Estados Unidos, muchas otras pueden aplicarse en cualquier parte del mundo y son útiles para diversas instituciones, no solo bibliotecas.

Lo que más me impactó fue la visión de Landau sobre la creación de una comunidad en torno a la biblioteca. Él propone métodos efectivos para involucrar a la comunidad, fomentando una relación colaborativa que fortalece tanto a la biblioteca como a sus usuarios.

[Readersaurus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is intended for libraries serving populations under 25,000 people, aimed at helping them garner support and funding for the good work libraries do. It's written from the perspective of a successful small library director with a background in corporate marketing.

Libraries need to:
define their community's library service needs
develop responsive programs
get the resources necessary to support these programs
promote the library and its program to the community and to funding sources

One of the best pieces of advice in this book is that library directors determine who uses the library and why, and who does not use the library and why. Landau also recommends that community leaders (mayors, select boards, school librarians, teachers, principals, business owners, etc.) be specifically included in any surveys. We need to regularly survey our constituents to discover their needs and wants and then find a way that the library can serve them.

This book is an easy-to-read reminder of all the things small libraries can and should be doing to remain relevant and vital to their communities.

[Hava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brought this in as an ILL - really helpful. When I become promoted to director of a library, I should buy this. Had lots of fundraising ideas, etc.