From: Sandy Thatcher <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2017 14:05:46 -0600

It may also be worth noting in this context that those libraries that
take on OA publishing activities need to realize that it is not
sufficient just to post materials (book, journals, textbooks, etc.)
online. They also need to be advertised and promoted, just as regular
books, journals, etc., in print form do.

Sandy Thatcher


> From: "David P. Dillard" <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2017 00:18:56 -0500
>
> I have worked in our library for many years and thirty of those years
> I also worked in retail department store as a sales associate.  This
> has caused me to pay far more attention to what goes on in retail
> stores than would have happened if I did not have years of retail
> experience.  This type of event may be dwindling, but is still around
> and in years past was very much present.  If one visits at the right
> time, like Saturday morning or afternoon in a supermarket or places
> like Sams Club, Costco or BJs, one sees free product sampling
> stations, often done by the companies making that product.
>
> Why not encourage publishers to visit the library with some staff and
> either on the library selling floor or in the auditorium have
> discussions of their books or lessons in the online databases they
> vend. To encourage attendance they can offer a six month ten or twenty
> percent discount on some or all of their books that they have in their
> catalog. Such events should be well advertised. Libraries could
> consider subsidizing these visits if that will make for a better
> chance of publishers doing these product demos and it can be a
> learning experience for those attending including students, faculty
> and librarians.
>
> In retail stores suggestive selling and persistant product talks by
> sales associates are aimed at getting the client to make additional
> purchases often with money they do not have.  In libraries the same
> kind of approaching the customer (students do pay tuition and taxes)
> is a benign attempt to improve the students skills, contribute to
> student retention and get them better grades, so twist away at those
> arms to get them to use the library's products, they need the
> pressure.  Without powerful marketing retail sales levels decline.
> Library use should improve with strong promotion of the product in any
> ways possible and with an aggressive library sales force (librarians
> and other library staff) interacting with students and looking for
> ways to get an intitial contact such as a simple greeting and building
> that into ways I or we can help you.
>
> Sincerely,
> David Dillard
> Temple University
> (215) 204 - 4584
> [log in to unmask]