Online Communications Handbook offers tips on how to obtain greater visibility for library messages

Contact: Mark Gould


Director, PIO


312-280-5042



mgould@ala.org

For Immediate Release


October 7, 2005

Online Communications Handbook offers tips on how to


obtain greater visibility for library messages

(CHICAGO) The American Library Association has re-released a revised "Communications Handbook for Libraries," designed to help librarians obtain more attention from the media for key library messages.

The online Handbook (
www.ala.org/commhandbook) offers tips on how to develop a communications plan so that you can determine goals and objectives for your outreach efforts, identify key audiences, shape your messages, and develop tactics that will help you obtain coverage from media.

The Handbook has recommendations on how to develop a media list, obtain media attention, and ten tips for getting your name in a reporter's Rolodex. It also includes sections on how to use radio outlets to best advantage, marketing on the Internet, developing relationships with reporters, a glossary of media terms, and a bibliography.

Developed by the Public Information Office in conjunction with the ALA Public Awareness Committee, the Handbook is also available in PDF version
here.

For additional resources, please visit the PIO web site at
www.ala.org/pio and the Campaign for America's Libraries web site at
www.ala.org/@yourlibrary .