Library eresources: overcoming the issue of marketing an invisible resource

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Library e-resources overcoming the issue of
marketing an invisible resource
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Key Issues

• Promoting e-resource to an audience that is
  unaware of its existence
• Having raised awareness key thing is to drive
  usage
• Monitor and maintain high levels of usage
• Staff confidence and knowledge

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Good Practice

• What have you currently in place?
• Soft promotion of e-resources
• Posters, monitor hats, pens
• Using providers marketing support materials
• e.g. user guides

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Good Practice

• Staff training by provider
• Method? One-to-one, groups, online
• Accessibility desktop link from PCs in ICT
  Suite/ Library
• MARC records

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Current Developments

• Dedicated information team people responsible
  for managing and promoting e-resources
• Regular internal staff training important for
  confidence and awareness raising

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Current developments

• Run ICT training/taster sessions for users
  delivering ICT skills sessions to specific
  external user groups
• Staff to be proactive in promotion essential to
  create word-of-mouth
• Advertising and press releases

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Current Developments

• Producing promotional literature

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Current Developments

• Enewsletters compiling a regular communication
  for distribution to colleagues
• Using own library website/intranet is the design
  enabling you to make the most out of promoting
  your resources?

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Future Developments

• Integration will be the key theme
• FE/HE perspective integration into faculty and
  student workflows
• PL perspective extending links with local
  councils for joint promotion

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Future Developments

• Working with large consortia benefits of being a
  member

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Future Developments

• Durable URLs ensure integration with existing
  systems
• Federated search engines enable all e-resources
  to be cross searched at one time
• eBooks growing in popularity

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Summary

• Implement best practice
• Work with e-resource provider
• Establish support networks and processes to
  guarantee promotion at all levels
• Keep abreast of technology trends for new
  opportunities