Beyond the Building: Leveraging a Library Renovation to Tell a Broader Story

Authors

• Kristen S. Shuyler, James Madison UniversityFollow

Publication Date

3-29-2026

Faculty Department

Libraries

Document Type

Article

Abstract

A library renovation presents a unique communication challenge, requiring a thoughtful strategy that minimizes disruption while building anticipation. When James Madison University (JMU) decided to renovate and expand its flagship library, the JMU Libraries’ Communications & Outreach team pivoted from routine promotional efforts to a streamlined communication model designed to handle significantly increased, narrative-driven messaging related to the renovation. This article outlines the renovation project’s communication plan, describes our streamlining efforts, and highlights unexpected opportunities that emerged along the way—allowing us to share the library’s story in new ways and with broader audiences.

Comments

The Version of Record of this manuscript has been published and is available in Public Services Quarterly 29 March 2026 https://doi.org/10.1080/15228959.2026.2650270

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Shuyler, Kristen S., "Beyond the Building: Leveraging a Library Renovation to Tell a Broader Story" (2026). Faculty Scholarship. 59.
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/faculty-submissions/59