It’s Time to Define a New Brand for Libraries. Let’s Make Sure It Leaves People Soaring, Not Snoring.

Abstract

Librarians can benefit from studying the history of other professions in order to learn from mistakes others have made. One place librarians need to be concerned about today is the library brand, which defines for user communities what libraries are all about and what kind of experience users will have in libraries. Recent research reports show the library brand as “books” and suggest an equally uninspiring new branding. This article examines some compelling brand examples from other professions and suggests some other options for librarianship.

KEYWORDS:

• library brand
• library branding
• library tag lines
• library marketing
• library promotion
• library slogans

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Carl Grant

Carl Grant is the associate dean for knowledge services and the chief technology officer at the University of Oklahoma Libraries in Norman, Oklahoma. He has consulted widely with libraries, library organizations, and information companies.