Marketing and Communications
Tell your library’s best story.
The communications and marketing team leads public awareness efforts for Georgia Public Library Service, delivering key messages to external audiences about the value of libraries in our communities.
We aim to be a strong resource to Georgia libraries, providing timely, useful, and compelling tools to increase their capacity and to demonstrate the need for and impact of public libraries.
The MarComm team publishes Library News and leads email marketing, social media, media relations, branding, photography and video services, and more. Staff also provide consulting services, training, and occasional funding to help libraries strengthen their communications strategy.
We are the central communications and marketing source for the Georgia Public Library Service.
Some of the areas we help and advise libraries on include:
- Marketing and Communications
- Writing and Editing
- Photography/Videography
- Storytelling
- Media Relations
- Web & Graphic Design
- Social Media
- Crisis Communications
- Branding
Our efforts to empower Georgia’s public libraries led to being named the Library Journal 2020 Marketer of the Year.
Contact
Deborah Hakes
Marketing and Communications Director
Phone: 404-852-5547
Email: [email protected]
Join the library marketing and communications email listserv (LIBMARKETING-L) for Georgia public library staff.
Library news and stories
Read the latest news and stories about libraries in Georgia.
Share your library news and stories
What’s happening at your library?
Let GPLS know about your latest library news! You can tell us about new programs, services, promotions, and more. We will share in our occasional e-clips that are sent to the libmarketing listserv.
Subscribe to library news
Stay up to date and stay connected!
Sign up to get news delivered to your inbox or join our mailing list for a paper copy of Library News magazine.
Join the conversation and follow us on social media.
Marketing Toolkits
These toolkits will help you promote GPLS- and federally-funded initiatives at your library. You’ll find images, customizable graphics, suggested key messages for social media and links to additional resources.
Library awareness and celebrations
April
> National Library Week 2026
June-July
> Summer Reading 2025
September
> Library Card Sign-Up Month 2025
October
> Georgia Archives Month 2025
Marketing materials and publications
Library News magazine
Read or download Library News magazine.
Sharing stories of Georgia’s libraries changing lives and communities, Library News is available in print and digital format, with new issues published throughout the year.
- March 2026: Public Library Employee of the Year fosters a love of reading and literacy; Building community, one meetup at a time; Libraries connect job seekers with new opportunities
- Fall 2025: What’s the value of your library; Explore all your library offers for kids and families; Volunteers strengthen libraries
- Summer 2025: Library Tech; A Book’s Journey through PINES; On the Road with GLS; Digital Literacy
- Winter 2025: 10 reasons to love your library; Scrapbook gives a peek into the lives of Georgians during World War I; Audiobooks support patrons with reading disabilities
Subscribe to our mailing list for a paper copy of Library News.
Georgia Library E-clips
Check out E-clips for a look at what’s happening in Georgia’s public libraries.
The E-clips email newsletter is sent to the Libmarketing listserv each month and includes local news stories, new hires, employee anniversaries, new program offerings, and more. Have news to share about your library? Use this link to tell the GPLS MarComm team!
> View past E-clips emails
Featured Publications
Click to download digital copies of selected publications.
We produce several publications to keep the public informed about the wonderful services and activities happening in Georgia’s public libraries.
Library impact postcards
Share these postcards to help your community understand the benefits of a public library card and the impact of Georgia’s libraries.
Request materials
Use the link below to request physical copies for your library.
Our publications and marketing materials highlight the many ways that Georgia public libraries strengthen their communities.
Request a Story Stroll kit
Check out a Story Stroll kit.
Story Strolls are a fun way to engage your community through family-friendly outdoor programming combining literacy, exercise, and nature. Learn more about Story Stroll kits and check one out!
Strategy and other resources
Key messages and talking points
- Elevator Speech Message Cards (PDF) to develop and share messaging about your library’s impact.
- Library Advocacy toolkit
Crisis communications
- Crisis Communication Plan Template (docx)
- Pocket Guide to De-escalation (PDF)
- Pocket Guide to Book Challenges (PDF)
Sharing library stories of impact
Marketing strategies
Marketing grants for public libraries
Applications for the 2026 GPLS Marketing Grants will be accepted from Dec. 1-Dec. 12, 2025 via the GPLS grants portal.
Libraries may apply for up to $4,000 to create a marketing campaign to take place in spring 2026. Libraries complete a short application, and those selected partner with GPLS Marketing and Communications staff to create a marketing campaign. In this way, libraries not only receive funding, they also develop marketing knowledge that lasts far beyond the grant itself. The marketing campaign must be complete by May 29, 2026. Costs will be reimbursed by GPLS.
Funds will be used by the library to raise local awareness and may include marketing on TV, streaming services, local radio, billboards, online, social media, Google Ads, through local partners, and/or other methods, as long as the intended audience is people served by your library system. Email [email protected] with any questions.
Here’s what past grantees have said:
“The marketing grant support allowed us to establish connections and strengthen relationships with individuals, schools, organizations, and businesses in our community. The campaign enabled us to share information and also offered an opportunity that we could not have anticipated: in a time of crisis due to a public health emergency, our images and messaging let our neighbors know that the library is still here for them.” – Live Oak Public Libraries
“The GPLS marketing grant helped us demonstrate that a small marketing budget year round can have a substantial impact on our marketing reach as an organization. We used our grant to incentivize the sharing of patron impact stories. The number and quality of stories we received significantly increased compared to doing the same campaign without an incentive months before.” – Cherokee Regional Library
Subscribe to our Library Marketing email list to be notified about the next application round.
Logos of public libraries in Georgia
These logos are shared for informational purposes and for inspiration for Georgia libraries considering rebranding.
