Selling the Library without Sacrificing Your Values: Guiding Principles for Liaison Librarians

Abstract

With changing roles on academic campuses, liaison librarians are now expected to market and promote their services. While some are uncomfortable with this idea of selling or considering patrons as customers, there are benefits to this mindset including the possibility of fostering increased engagement, remaining relevant as job descriptions evolve, and adding visible value to the wider campus community. There are some applicable sales principles that can also help librarians overcome their hesitancy and sell the library more effectively and with integrity.