| Give to Libraries | Tell your library’s best story
The communications and marketing team leads public awareness efforts for Georgia Public Library Service, delivering key messages to external audiences about the value of libraries in our communities.
We publish Library News and lead email marketing, social media, media relations, branding, photography and video services, and more. Staff also provide consulting services, training, and occasional funding to help libraries strengthen their communications strategy.
We aim to be a strong resource to Georgia libraries, providing timely, useful, and compelling tools to increase their capacity and to demonstrate the need for and impact of public libraries.
We are the central communications and marketing source for the Georgia Public Library Service.
Contact:
Deborah Hakes
Marketing and Communications Director
Phone: 404-852-5547
Email: dhakes@georgialibraries.org
Join our library marketing and communications email list serv for Georgia library staff here: LIBMARKETING-L
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We are the Library Journal 2020 Marketer of the Year
Our efforts to empower Georgia’s public libraries led to our being named the 2020 Marketer of the Year by Library Journal.
Areas of Expertise
Some of the areas we help and advise libraries on include:
- Marketing and Communications
- Writing and Editing
- Photography/Videography
- Media Relations
- Web & Graphic Design
- Social Media
Story Stroll Kits are Here
Story Strolls are a fun way to host outdoor programming for your patrons and engage your local community. This family activity combines literacy, exercise, and nature.
Learn more about Story Stroll Kits and request a kit today.
Read resources and tips for how to create your library’s own story stroll.
Marketing Toolkits
These toolkits will help you promote GPLS and federally-funded initiatives at your library. You’ll find images, customizable graphics, suggested key messages for social media and links to additional resources from the American Library Association.
- Library Card Sign-Up Month 2023
- Online Resources Marketing Toolkit – NEW!
- National Library Week 2024 – NEW!
- Partnerships and Passes
- PINES and Library Cards
- Preservation Week 2024 – NEW!
- Story Stroll Kits
- Summer Reading 2024 – coming soon!
Library happenings from around Georgia
Let GPLS know what’s happening at your library! You can share about new programs, services, promotions, and more.
We will share in our occasional e-clips that will be sent to the libmarketing listserv.
Marketing grants for public libraries
Applications for the 2024 GPLS Marketing Grants were accepted from Nov. 27-Dec. 15, 2023. On Nov. 27, the link to the online application was added to this webpage, and the Library Marketing email list was notified. **New this year: applications will take place via the GPLS grants portal.**
Georgia Public Library Service offers marketing grants to a limited number of the state’s public libraries, typically on an annual basis. Libraries complete a short application, and those selected partner with GPLS marketing staff to create a marketing campaign. In this way, libraries not only receive funding, they also develop marketing knowledge that lasts far beyond the grant itself. Libraries may apply for up to $2,000 in reimbursable expenses for the marketing campaign.
Here’s what past grantees have said:
“The marketing grant support allowed us to establish connections and strengthen relationships with individuals, schools, organizations, and businesses in our community. The campaign enabled us to share information and also offered an opportunity that we could not have anticipated: in a time of crisis due to a public health emergency, our images and messaging let our neighbors know that the library is still here for them.” – Live Oak Public Libraries
“The GPLS marketing grant helped us demonstrate that a small marketing budget year round can have a substantial impact on our marketing reach as an organization. We used our grant to incentivize the sharing of patron impact stories. The number and quality of stories we received significantly increased compared to doing the same campaign without an incentive months before.” – Cherokee Regional Library
Subscribe to our Library Marketing email list to be notified about the next application round.
Request marketing material
Our publications highlight the many ways that Georgia public libraries strengthen their communities. Use the link below to request physical copies for your library.
Update Library News Subscription
Use this form to update the number of copies of Library News magazine mailed to your system’s headquarters to distribute to patrons, staff, board members, trustees, funders, and more.
More Communications Resources
- Editable story collection form
- Telling the right stories: story outline form
- Planning for Libraries Communications During COVID-19 (Texas State Library and Archives Commission)
- Crisis Communication Plan Template (docx)
- Elevator Speech Message Cards (pdf) Use these cards to develop and share messaging about your library’s impact. Individual cards are standard business card size (3.5″ x 2″). The “Library Elevator Speech Card” card is 3″ x 3″.
Social Media and Marketing for Libraries
Learn about marketing basics, get resources for content managers and tools, and get introductions to specific social media platforms.
This video and playlist are created by the Mississippi Library Commission.
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