Public Relations

GENERAL RESEARCH

Handbook of Public Relations Available in print: REF HD 59 H267 2001 This title provides a selection of essays regarding public relations models, the profession, the effects of the internet, and best practices. An excellent title if you need some scholarly analysis of public relations issues and a starting place for a public relations research topic.

BOOKS ABOUT PUBLIC RELATIONS

COAST
Subjects to use in COAST:

HINT: To double the number of books you get, don't forget to click on the LINK+ option in the top right hand corner of the screen in COAST. You can request books from LINK+ and they arrive at CSULB in 3-5 days!!

public relations		marketing
press releases		promotion of special events
publicity		nonprofit organizations marketing

ARTICLES ABOUT PUBLIC RELATIONS

ABI Inform (CSU Authentication Required) This database provides the full text of many public relations related articles. It indexes many marketing journals as well as industry specific publications. Therefore, you will find public relations articles dealing with both non-profit and commercial perspectives.

Communication & Mass Media Complete A new database that has tons of public relations and media research useful for finding all types of information. Academic Search Elite (CSU Authentication Required) This database will provide the full text of articles related to public relations. It provides over 1200 articles on the topic of public relations. Try a subject search for "public relations" and then browse the subdivisions.

Communication Abstracts Available in print: REF P 87 C62 Available Electronically: Communication Abstracts (CSULB only) This print index will also help you find articles about public relations topics. Factiva (CSU Authentication Required) This database is an excellent source for finding examples of press releases created by well-known companies. You can also look for the full text of general articles dealing with public relations related topics. Also an excellent source for finding out about local events in a community. PsycInfo (CSU Authentication Required) This database can be used to look at the theoretical side of public relations such as motivation, attitudes, effects of different types of marketing models, etc.

Finding Information About A Community

COMMUNITY CONTACTS

Rainbow Resource Guide (Orange County & Los Angeles)
Available in print: REF HV99 .O7 R5
This book will provide you with the contact information for a variety of social service organizations. This is ideal for nonprofit resources.

Associations on the Net
This site maintained by the Internet Public Library, provides links to various association websites. It is arranged by subject or you can search by title.

Encyclopedia of Associations
Available in print: REF HS17 .E52
This source can help you find local chapters and links to organization web sites for sending your press releases or publicizing an event.

DEMOGRAPHIC SOURCES

Journalism Statistics Page: People
This page provides links to statistics sources both in print and electronic. A great starting place for developing a community profile.

Journalism Public Opinion/Surveys Page
This page will provide you links to a variety of information about the attitudes of people in particular age groups, neighborhoods etc. This information can be useful in public relations to determine which populations to target.

Market Segments/Demographic Data
This page designed by a CSULB Librarian, provides an excellent selection of internet sources as well as publications available at CSULB Library. Primarily designed for marketing students, most sources are good for public relations research as well. It will give you sources to find demographics by zipcode.

Ethnic Newswatch (CSU Authentication Required)
This comprehensive interdisciplinary database provided alternative perspectives to the mainstream print media on almost any topic. Periodicals from Native, Euro/Eastern European, African, Asian, Arab, Hispanic/Latino and Jewish American communities across the United States are included. The database is an excellent source of Spanish language information for Southern California as it indexes La Opinion, the largest Spanish language newspaper in this region.

Press Releases and Kits

FINDING MEDIA OUTLETS

Advertising and Media Sources
Another page by our Business Librarian, it lists all the major print and electronic sources for finding out how much it costs to advertise or find lists of different media outlets to target for press releases.

Newspapers: A Reference Guide
Available in Print: REF PN 4855.S238 1987

Newspapers in California
Available in Print: REF PN 4784.C2N48 1985

Editor and Publisher. International Year Book.
Available in Print: REF PN 4709.E3

Index to City and Regional Magazines Of The United States
Available in Print: REF PN 4877.R55 1989

PRESS RELEASES: WRITING TECHNIQUES & EXAMPLES

Media and Public Relations Strategy for Nongovernmental Organizations
This electronic pamphlet created by the Freedom House (a nonprofit organization) will give a basic outline of public relations strategies including, the development of databases, utilizing advertising media and more.

Content Basics for Press Release Writing
An electronic guide to writing a press release. Includes a template for writing press releases.

Profitable Public Relations for Non-Profit Organizations This electronic book provides detailed information on creating a public relations campaign. It includes types of media tools and sample press releases from a variety of different fields.