students, librarians and marketing the library
DESCRIPTION
This presentation was given by Frank Parry and Becky Laing It describes an interesting project between Information science students and library staff at Loughborough University.TRANSCRIPT
Students, Librarians and Marketing the Library
A collaborative project between postgraduate Information Science students and
Library staff at Loughborough University
presented 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