Promoting Library Resources to Students & New Faculty, Fall 2008

This autumn, several promotional tactics were used to raise awareness about library resources and services to freshmen and new faculty. It is important to connect with them as soon as possible and to create a positive experience. Ball State University Libraries recognized "Welcome Week" as a great time to meet students and to market our services.

The following is a list of outreach efforts toward freshmen and new faculty which were completed by librarians and the marketing/communications manager (me):

1. Created a "Welcome Week" display in the lobby with eye-catching brochures and book displays which highlighted several resources related to time management, study skills, etc.
2. Presented an overview of services & collections to about 300 students at special program; attended a resources fair (specifically for grad students)
3. Provided brochures to admissions counselors who passed them along to students.
4. Developed a 50-second video which will be shown on TVs in residence halls.
5. Held orientation sessions including a library tour for international students.
6. Held a laptop clinic on the first floor for new students and freshmen to assist in installing the university's antivirus software and other applications (it was a great chance to meet students and perform a free service of value).
7. Participated as book discussion group leaders for the "Freshmen Connections Common Reader" program. It helps when personnel get outside of the library, meet others on campus and get involved in campus activities.
8. Provided a pen & a color brochure (produced in-house) to each new faculty member via campus mail. Follow up contact was made to specific departments by liaison librarians who promoted services and will stay in contact w/new faculty via blogs, RSS feeds, e-mails and face-to-face communication.
9. Provided information literacy sessions to all freshmen students via English comp classes.
10. Provided free computer/technology training to faculty via our ongoing technology training sessions. These sessions include a myriad of 1-hour sessions ranging from Gradebook to Blackboard to podcasting how-to's.
11. Promoted the use of the library's lobby to student groups to assist them in their outreach efforts. This type of collaboration builds relationships with others on campus.
12. Developed exciting art displays, thanks to students and faculty from the Dept. of Art. The variety of art adds to the atmosphere and ambience of the library.