Simple Library Marketing Plan for 2026

Here is a simple Library Marketing Plan for 2026 that you can follow for your library in the coming year to increase the number of patrons visiting your library.  If you’re like many libraries, you’re likely already starting to plan for next year.  Goals like increasing the number of patrons that visit your library, or increasing the number of patrons who attend programs is likely a top priority in addition to increasing funding and having stronger, measurable community impact.  This simple plan is based on our Community Connectors interview series, specifically the episode with Lenah Oltman, Director of the Reinbeck Public Library in Iowa, 

This plan is really best for those libraries that are just trying to get started with a marketing and patron growth plan.  If you have a robust solution already in place, then maybe there will be 1 or 2 takeaways that you hadn’t thought of before. 

1. Set 2026 Goals

First, you need to decide what “success” looks like this year. Don’t just guess and do some marketing and then decide that’s where we ended up.  Instead, come up with a goal and a plan.  For example:

• Increase total visits and circulation over 2025
• Have one program per month per age group (0–5, 6–11, 12–18, adults)
• Add at least 5 active community partners that can help promote or cross promote the library and its events  (schools, businesses, churches, boards)

Write these down so you can measure progress.

2. Map Your Audiences and Programs

In a spreadsheet or equivalent, list the age groups you serve.  Also, list for each age group what programs or services you currently offer them. Then in the next column include the promotional activities to reach each of those groups independently.   Look at what you currently offer them, and then consider what you want to be offering them and how you’ll outreach to them by year end.

For example:

• For ages 0–5, currently no programming, by end of the year, having 1 Storytime + one hands-on activity (e.g., Baby STEM) per month.  Promotion on Facebook, the library calendar, and by handing out flyers at the local daycare.

• For ages 6–11, currently have a recurring Lego club, leave that, and add a recurring STEM activity each quarter.  Promotion through Facebook and the local elementary school.
• Etc, etc.

If you’re solo, aim for one program and one promotional channel per group per month to start.

3. Build a Clear Events Calendar

Create a simple, always-up-to-date program calendar that is visible on your website:

• Add every event into your online calendar (like WhoFi’s Community Calendar)
• Show date, time, audience, description, and whether registration is needed
• Use the calendar as your “single source of truth” for staff, patrons, and partners
• Events in WhoFi’s Community Calendar are also discoverable on Google

Add events as “Save the Date” even before flyers are finished.

4. Use a Basic Promotion Timeline for Each Event

Every month, follow the same rhythm:

• Next month’s events: Come up with programs for next month for each group, add to the library’s calendar or website, and prepare any flyers, social media posts, or other promotional material.
• This month’s events: Print out a flyer or equivalent, post it in the library and around town at a community partners location
• 1 week before the event: First social media post on the library’s social media page + post about the event on the town’s Facebook page.
• Week of: Reminder posts + mention at checkout + mini-flyers in books
• After: Quick recap/thank-you post with next related program
  

This makes marketing repeatable instead of starting from scratch each time.

5. Match the Message to the Audience

Before you design any flyer or post, ask: “Who is this for?”.  

Then:

• Choose colors, images, and language that fit that group.  For example, if the program is for teens, consider bright, fun, “this is for you”.  If the program is for adults, consider calmer, clear, inviting language.
• Give the program a name that feels appealing to your audience, not intimidating.  For example, consider “MythBusters Brunch” instead of “Hospice Education Session”

Your goal is for people to think, “That’s for someone like me.”

6. Lean on Local Partners

Choose at least 5 partners and try to make connections with them if you don’t already know them, and then give each a simple role:

• Schools / admin assistants: email families, send backpack flyers
• Daycares: hand out bookmarks and small program cards
• Churches: include events in bulletins or emails
• Businesses (coffee shops, restaurants, etc.): host table tents with QR codes
• Community boards / chamber: co-host events, sponsor prizes or performers

Check that every partnership is mutually beneficial: you send them foot traffic; they help you spread the word.

7. Use a Small Set of Reliable Tactics Every Month

To keep things manageable, commit to just a few core tactics and repeat them:

Each month, aim to:

• Keep the online calendar current
• Put flyers on your door and one community board
• Share events on your own social media and in at least one local Facebook/group page
• Place table tents or postcards in one or two local businesses
• Give schools/daycares at least one handout or digital flyer to share

Consistency is more important than doing everything.

8. Track Results and Tell Your Story

At the end of each month, be sure to jot down:

• Number of programs by age group
• Total program attendance
• Door count
• Total checkouts

Use these numbers as a baseline to see which programs and promotional channels worked best.

This helps not just with improving promotions, but also improves monthly and annual board reporting.  

You can use these numbers in:

• Monthly Board reports
• Budget discussions with the city
• Future grant applications

This is how you turn “we feel busier” into “here’s the impact your support made.”

And as always, sometimes the hardest part is just in getting started.  Setting a goal of 1 program per month, or 1 program per age group per month with 1 new promotional method is a great way to get started and grow from there.

If you’d like to watch the full interview with Lenah and hear her insights directly, you can visit the full video on this page: https://youtu.be/BMDfNTBRn0w