"A no-nonsense marketing guide that is comprehensive in scope and professional in style. ... Kathy Dempsey offers a wealth of valuable and insightful information for library managers, educators, and practitioners."

—Ernest A. DiMattia, Jr., President, The Ferguson Library

Dempsey really gets marketing … her book is useful for every kind of librarian. Read this and put it into action."

—Judith Siess, OPL Plus

The Accidental Library Marketer fills a need for library professionals and paraprofessionals who find themselves in an awkward position: They need to promote their libraries and services in the age of the internet, but they’ve never been taught how to do it effectively. This results-oriented A-to-Z guide by Kathy Dempsey — longtime editor of the Marketing Library Services newsletter — reveals the missing link between the everyday promotion librarians actually do and the “real marketing” that’s guaranteed to assure funding, excite users, and build stronger community relationships. Combining real-life examples, expert advice, and checklists in a reader-friendly style, this is the complete how-to resource for successful library marketing and promotion.

"Kathy Dempsey’s years as editor of Marketing Library Services serve her well for capturing the best of true marketing in this timely publication. ... Every professional library shelf should offer the book, and staff should make use of the experience and insight gathered."

—Christie Koontz, PhD, College of Communication
and Information, Florida State University

"Puts you on the fast track and helps you avoid the pitfalls that ensnare marketing amateurs."

—Judith Gibbons, ALA Councilor, 2010-2012, from the Foreword

Click here to listen to Kathy Dempsey discuss the new face of library marketing.

2009/312 pp/softbound
ISBN 978-1-57387-368-0
Regular Price: $29.50