Abstract: | Abstract Although the primary constituencies of academic libraries are their faculty, students, and staff, the programs and displays that they and their Friends organizations sponsor may be of interest to the surrounding community. Effectively reaching these groups requires a concerted effort. Information must be written for an external audience, and contact information for all prospective news providers must be ready to use. Libraries may also avail themselves of low-cost or no-cost methods for disseminating information. By reaching out to community members, college and university libraries will encourage local residents to take advantage of the programming and services offered by the library and may influence them to become more closely tied to their institution. |