ALA Editions

Insights on marketing with social media

CHICAGO — The all-new second edition of “Marketing with Social Media,” a LITA Guide published in cooperation with ALA Editions, gathers a range of contributors to explore real-world uses of library marketing technology, perfect for novices ready to dive in as well as practitioners on the lookout for ways to improve existing efforts.

A collection management training guide for library liaisons

CHICAGO — Library liaisons often have primary jobs that do not involve collection development, but their familiarity with collection practices makes all the difference in faculty relations. And time pressures mean that on-boarding needs to be as streamlined as possible. “The Library Liaison's Training Guide to Collection Management,” published by ALA Editions, is a concise, field-tested training manual that includes end of the chapter prompts, making it easy to tailor your approach to local practices.

A starter guide for new youth librarians

CHICAGO — The clichéd and vague notions about outreach services for teens that so many librarians encounter in job descriptions and performance evaluations do not reflect the importance or day-to-day realities of this undertaking. Designed for those new to the profession, Jess Snow’s new primer “Outreach Services for Teens: A Starter Guide,” published by ALA Editions, shows readers how to apply a full complement of professional skills, creativity, analysis, and resourcefulness to the conception, delivery, and evaluation of teen outreach.

Proving your library’s value through persuasive messaging

CHICAGO — You know the value of your library, but elected officials, donors, community leaders, funders, and other important stakeholders may not. How can you make the library a priority for these groups, who may have preconceived notions about what the library does, as you compete with other important community organizations for funding?

A trauma-informed approach to library services

CHICAGO — We are only now coming to terms with how common trauma really is; a landmark Kaiser study that surveyed patients receiving physicals found that almost two-thirds had experienced at least one form of abuse, neglect, or other trauma as a child. Though originating in the fields of health and social services, trauma-informed care is a framework that holds great promise for application to library work.

The electronic resources troubleshooting guide

CHICAGO — A library user can’t access an article. Your log in credentials won’t work. In the realm of electronic resources everything runs smoothly—until suddenly, without warning, it doesn’t. Invariably, systems will break down, but a trial and error approach to finding out what’s wrong is highly inefficient. “The Electronic Resources Troubleshooting Guide,” published by ALA Editions, is a new, hands-on guide from Holly Talbott and Ashley Zmau, two expert ERM librarians.

Constructing library buildings that work

CHICAGO — When it’s time to start planning for a renovation or construction project, you don’t need a book that covers everything from A to Z. Instead you need a concentrated set of tools and techniques that will guide you and your team to find the best solutions for your specific project. That’s exactly what library building expert Fred Schlipf provides in his new book “Constructing Library Buildings That Work,” published by ALA Editions.

25 projects for eco explorers

CHICAGO — Though the daily news is filled with reports of climate change, severe weather, environmental distress, and endangered species, children’s librarians and educators might be uncertain how to incorporate these topics into their current curriculum. Christine M.

Recruiting and retaining younger generations for library boards, Friends groups, and Foundations

CHICAGO — According to 2016 Pew Research Center survey data, Millennials are more likely to have visited a public library in the past year than any other adult demographic. But despite being core library users, millennials and other younger generations are often underrepresented on library boards and library advocacy groups, including Friends groups and Foundations.

Celebrating how library workers are making a difference for their communities

CHICAGO — Libraries are community connectors, places where people come together, think together, and learn together. Libraries support and nurture strong, resilient communities. Day in and day out, the library workers at these institutions are doing much more than ensuring equal and equitable access to information; and their impact stretches far beyond the books, programs, and services they facilitate.