The document discusses how libraries and librarians promote their value in the digital age. It notes that librarians have become teachers of digital literacy and help patrons access electronic resources. It provides tips on how libraries can effectively communicate their value to the public, including knowing their brand and goals, having a clear message, identifying staff to spearhead promotional efforts, and developing relationships with local media.

1. Promoting Your Library Sandra Fernandez Manager of Public Relations Houston Public Library

3. If Google and a librarian had an informational smackdown, who would win? Many people champion Google, with its impressive number of results. But research librarians say their powers have been unfairly dismissed in the online age. Not only can they outsmart Google's dead ends and weaknesses, librarians say, but they can help people surf faster and smarter by showing them hidden databases and tricks. [SNIP] Librarians have become teachers of digital literacy , Kadir said. They show beginners how to hold a mouse and sign up for e-mail, and they show more advanced users how to blog or navigate databases. Houston Public Library members gain free access to dozens of electronic resources that normally cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. [SNIP, http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/5563926.html ] Information isn't reserved for books It's online, and today's librarians are experts at finding it Saima Kadir, a reference librarian with the Houston Public Library, answers questions on a 24-hour chat service.

4. Libraries: perception

5. Libraries: reality

6. Promoting Your Library Increasing Advocacy

16. Sandra Fernandez www.sandrasays.com 832-393-1381 [email_address]