If your library still relies on Microsoft Publisher for newsletters, flyers, signage, or program calendars, you’ve probably heard the news: Microsoft is sunsetting Publisher for good. Come October 2026, the software will no longer be available to Microsoft 365 subscribers.
That’s just a few months away. And if you’re a library that depends on Publisher to get your print and digital materials out the door, it’s time to think about what comes next.
Why This Matters for Libraries
Libraries create a lot of stuff every day — calendars, flyers, digital signage, program guides, handouts, booklists, event promotions. Publisher has been a go-to for decades because it’s familiar and already bundled in many Microsoft 365 plans. But it was never really built for modern workflows: collaboration, cloud access, branded templates, or multi-platform publishing.
The sunset means libraries need to migrate their existing Publisher files and find a new tool — and fast.
A Little History
When I first started working in libraries back in 2000, our graphics designer used InDesign and staff at the branches used Publisher. Over the last 26 years, we’ve seen a lot of tools come and go — but those two have remained popular staples. Now, Publisher is finally going away.
In the meantime, Canva has become incredibly popular with libraries. It’s accessible, collaborative, and web-based — everything Publisher wasn’t. But let’s be honest: Canva can feel like the Wild West. With so many templates, fonts, design styles, and options, it’s easy to end up with materials that don’t look cohesive or on brand.
What Other Libraries Are Doing
I was recently scrolling through the Libraries & Social Media Facebook group, where folks were discussing this exact topic. One library who has been using Publisher for their monthly calendar was seeking advice on what to do. Other libraries weighed in with some really creative solutions — everything from Google Sheets workarounds to Adobe InDesign — but by far the most popular alternative was Canva. It makes sense: it’s web-based, often free, collaborative, and already familiar to a lot of library staff.
How CAC Can Help
At CAC, we specialize in building usable tools for exactly the kinds of things libraries create every day — calendars, flyers, digital screens, and more — right inside the tools your team already knows, like Canva.
Our last few projects have included building custom Canva templates, setting up Canva Brand Kits, and creating documents full of tips, tricks, guidance, and training to make sure everything works the way you need it to. We make sure your designs are:
• Visually appealing — materials your community will actually notice and read
• Flexible — easy to adapt week-to-week, season-to-season
• On brand — consistent colors, fonts, and messaging across every piece of communication
We’ve helped libraries across the country make the switch from Publisher (and other legacy tools) to streamlined, modern workflows. You can see a few of those stories on our Case Studies page.
Don’t Wait Until October
The October deadline will be here before you know it. Starting the transition now means your team has time to learn a new tool, get comfortable with templates, and iron out any kinks before Publisher goes dark.
If you’d like to talk through what a migration might look like for your library, get in touch — we’d love to help.
