Contenu du sommaire : Marketing stratégique : enjeux et bénéfices pour les services documentaires

The concept of marketing the special library has been around for over 30 years and yet is still up for debate. We need to be cautious or we risk applying marketing theories that fit enterprises without considering the specific nature of the information profession. At the same time it would be unwise to look only at the operational side of this issue. Marketing information services makes sense when they can support strategic decision-making, which is precisely what information services need. Faced with a rapidly changing, even turbulent environment, they have to be creative in striking a balance between a global program and responsiveness, stability and innovation, a commitment to results and limited means. Defining a marketing strategy can be of help when considering these issues.

Why should a special librarian use strategic marketing tools? Florence Muet, explaining the basis for this thematic issue points out the advantages of a global methodology that helps you define the appropriate scope for activity while enhancing the value of coproduction with the end-user.

The digital era has jostled the information and library sector by forcing a renewal of their services and necessitating the “redocumentarization process” movement in the face of information chaos. J-M Salaun describes in detail this new environment, the changes and consequences on the nature of our work, where we fit into organizations, what services we provide and how we function. This first section includes two articles on end-user needs analysis.

The time has come for library/information services to go beyond a purely technical approach by adopting a strategic vision of their activity. According to Jean Michel, it's about integrating their mission into the logic and economy of the institutions to which they belong. Any modification of the scope of our information services should be based on the outcome of an analysis of our institutional identity and informational needs. Several professionals describe some practical applications of this approach.

A supply strategy corresponds to choices taken for end-user services. Usually these are developed by targeting publics and require a lot of formalizing because of the interdependency of numerous levels of reflection. They are presented here not as stages to be followed but more as decisions to be taken collectively. Additional contributions follow, including one on the Scandinavian concept of "relational marketing".

Communication is an important aspect of marketing. Martine Vila-Raimondi reviewed several key points concerning the links between marketing and communication, and underscores the challenges of flexibility and reactivity and in the long term, how to structure an efficient communications policy. She also sheds light on the types of messages that information services might want to p. Two more technical articles complete this fourth section.