In contrast to elemental materials, sputtering of alkali halides occurs due to few distinct mechanisms which, in general, can be classified as electronic- and cascade-type processes. In recent years these processes have been the subject of numerous experimental studies. In this paper we review the available experimental data and present current views on the mechanisms leading to the emission of ground- and excited-state neutral particles and ions during low-energy ion-stimulated desorption of alkali halides.