LIBRARY PUBLIC RELATIONS AND EXTENSION ACTIVITIES (UGC NET LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE TOPIC) With MCQs Quiz
Library Public Relations (PR) refers to all the planned efforts by a library to establish and maintain mutual understanding between the library and its community or users. It involves communication, outreach, image-building, and user engagement strategies to enhance library usage and visibility.
Extension Activities are the outreach and extra-institutional programs initiated by libraries to reach underserved, illiterate, rural, or unaware populations. These activities take the library beyond its walls and into the broader community.
Objectives of Public Relations in Libraries
1. To create awareness about library services and resources.
2. To attract new users and retain current ones.
3. To build a positive image and goodwill in the community.
4. To bridge the gap between the library and its non-users.
5. To stimulate use through campaigns, events, exhibitions, etc.
6. To justify funding and support from parent institutions or the government.
Importance:
- Establishes trust and credibility.
- Encourages community participation.
- Increases library circulation and footfall.
- Enhances the institution’s reputation.
- Supports lifelong learning and literacy development.
Common PR Techniques in Libraries:
Publications: Newsletters, brochures, annual reports.
Media Use: Newspapers, local radio, community TV, social media.
User Engagement: Surveys, suggestion boxes, user feedback forums.
Events: Book talks, library weeks, lectures, literacy campaigns.
Displays & Exhibits: Posters, bulletin boards, library achievements.
Collaborations: With schools, NGOs, cultural and civic groups.
Extension Services in Libraries:
Extension activities are designed to bring the library closer to the community, especially non-users. Key types include:
1. Branch Libraries
- Satellite libraries in distant or rural areas.
- Provide localized access to library services.
- Connected to central libraries via union catalogues and inter-library loans.
2. Bookmobiles / Mobile Libraries
- Vans equipped with books serving remote areas.
- Regular schedules for lending and returning books.
- Special services for rural, semi-urban, and difficult-to-reach populations.
3. Services for Illiterates
- Materials in simple language with illustrations.
- Audio-visual aids for non-readers.
- Collaboration with literacy missions (e.g., National Literacy Mission).
4. Young Adults Services
- For ages 12–18: bridging gap between children’s and adult libraries.
- Career guidance, sports, social topics, self-help, etc.
5. Services for Adult Learners
- For continuing and non-formal education.
- Resources for open/distance learning and life skills.
- Partnering with Open Schools, Open Universities, NICNET.
6. Services for Senior Citizens
- Large-print books, reading lounges, home delivery (where needed).
- Health, retirement planning, recreational reading materials.
- Discussion groups or social spaces.
7. Services for People with Disabilities
- Braille books, talking books, and audio formats.
- Specialized services like tactile maps, screen readers, and separate reading rooms.
- Free postal service for Braille (per Indian Government rule).
8. Prison Libraries
- Helps with reform, rehabilitation, and constructive use of time.
- Books for moral, vocational, and educational upliftment.
9. Hospital Libraries
- Mental relief during illness and recovery.
- Books as therapy, delivered bedside or in common areas.
10. Other Activities
- Lectures, storytelling, bulletin boards, exhibitions.
- Deposit stations at schools, factories, community halls.
- Field visits, book fairs, cultural events, etc.
Role of UNESCO & IFLA
UNESCO Public Library Manifesto (1994):
> “The public library should be active and positive in its policy and a dynamic part of community life. It should not tell people what to think but help them to decide what to think about.”
IFLA Guidelines recommend:
- PR campaigns aligned with national policies (e.g., literacy, health).
- Continuous feedback from users.
- Outreach to marginalized and rural populations.
—Challenges in Library PR & Outreach
- Budget limitations.
- Staff shortages or lack of training.
- Low literacy rates in rural regions.
- Technological divides in semi-urban/remote areas.
- Cultural and linguistic diversity.
Best Practices:
- Use community profiling to design relevant outreach.
- Set up user advisory committees.
- Employ data-driven promotion (e.g., which books are most popular).
- Participate in national campaigns (literacy, health, elections).
- Train staff in communication and social work skills.
Public relations and extension activities are not optional but essential components of modern librarianship. These efforts humanize the library, ensure social inclusiveness, and strengthen democracy by equipping citizens with knowledge, awareness, and empowerment.