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This presentation was given by Frank Parry and Becky Laing at the July 2009 ALISS conference - Marketing the Library in difficult times. It describes an interesting project between Information science students and library staff at Loughborough University.
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Students, Librarians and Marketing the Library
A collaborative project between postgraduate Information Science students and
Library staff at Loughborough Universitypresented by Becky Laing and Frank Parry
(with contributions from Derek Stephens)
Background to the Project: the Library
• Share same building• Historic relationship between the
Library and Department of Information Science
• Work of the Marketing and Publications Group
Background to the Project: Department of Information Science
• Postgraduate module “Management of Information Services”
• Students given opportunity to put theory into practice by becoming ‘marketing consultants’
• Second year of collaboration
Timescale
• October – students start course and are introduced to marketing theory
• March – students are given briefs• Late May – students give
presentations and are awarded grades
The Briefs - i
• Students become marketing consultants from a firm called “24/7” and are divided into 5 teams each with a different brief:– Library journals– Academic Librarians– Information Literacy and Study Skills–MetaLib (information portal)– Library space
The Briefs - ii
• Librarians become clients and brief the marketing consultants:– Prepare A4 briefing documents–Meet professional teams for discussions– Stay in contact and provide
supplementary information as required – via email, further meetings, Wiki
The Presentations
• Librarians and Information Science staff watch 10 minute presentations from each of the ‘consultant groups’
• Librarians offer views on presentations but do not take part in grading process
The Ideas …
• Students were bold, imaginative yet still practical … here are the ideas from the presentations …
What did the Library get out of it?
• Fresh ideas and a fresh perspective!– A chance to work with an academic
department and systematically examine core areas of Library operations
• Adopt and work on some proposals into the Library’s marketing strategy … with proper acknowledgment of the students’ work.
What did the students get out of it?
– Potentially, better marks!– A chance to put theory into practice ~
the ‘real world’– Professional practice• Hone presentation skills• Work in groups• Develop a marketing ‘mindset’
What did the students get out of it? Results from the Questionnaire
• “It was awesome!” ~ all but 2 of the 16 respondents agreed or strongly agreed that:– The assignment was very practical and relevant– I received good support and information from the
Library – The assignment was good in developing team work
skills– I was able to improve my presentation skills through
completing the assignment– My understanding of marketing in libraries was
considerably enhanced through the assignment– I enjoyed working on the marketing assignment
What did the lecturer get out of it?
• Personal satisfaction of seeing students adapt well to ‘real world’ challenges
• “Good stuff is so easy to mark!” (Derek Stephens)
Thanks
Derek Stephens ~ the Department of Information Science
Students/Consultants ~ the Department of Information Science
Graham Walton, Jason Cooper, Brant Hickman, Karen McCormick, Jeanette
Machin ~ the Library Marketing and Publications Group
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