1. How to get students into the Library: revamping a library’s welcome campaign
Corryn Walker
BIALL Conference June 2017

2. … on a shoestring!

3. Background
In 2014 induction was reviewed at a high strategic level across the University to assess impact on student retention
The induction programme as a whole was seen to be a hindrance rather than help to retention
Proposal to scrap all induction talks
Library successfully argued that as an essential service induction talks needed to continue but in a new format

5. What did we want to achieve
Make the Library welcome talk more promotional and engaging
Have more activities in the Library
Collaborate more with other University departments
Create a promotional video
Use students to promote the Library
Engage with more students on social media
Get out into the University buildings

6. The Welcome Talk

9. Reinforcing the message
Username: Libwelcome
Password: welcome16
Mention
Feedback
Prizes
Free!
You can see how much they’ve taken in by the results

10. Feedback
Students loved it!
99% students found the talk and its format helpful
Most free text comments mentioned the quiz positively

11. Library video
What we had…

12. Library video
What we wanted…
Short! YouTube stats show that most videos are only watched for 1-2 minutes
Show the Library in its best light – making it an appealing, welcoming space for students
Very little text or voiceovers
Editable for social media – 30 second version
Basically an advert!

13. How we did it
Wanted to use a professional filmmaker
Used contacts at the School of Art
An ex-student, teaching assistant and freelance filmmaker he had the right mix of experience to create the video.
Paid for a licence for the music – we wanted something that sounded professional

15. What did we do next?
PANIC!!!

16. Student Champions

17. Raising the profile of the Library
Collaboration and Teamwork!

18. Working with other University departments

19. Taking away the fear factor

20. Getting out into the faculties
Welcome Festival
Freshers’ Fair
Outreach events in Faculty Buildings
Freebies
Sweets/Chocolate
Selfie frames
Quiz

21. Social Media
Short “how to…” videos
Top tips for using the Library
The weird and wonderful!

23. Social Media
Golden Tickets (with thanks to Roald Dahl and University of Liverpool!!)
Instagram followers went up by over 200

24. Future plans
Takeover University social media channels
Promote other University services within the Library (e.g. MMU Sport and the Wellbeing service)
Make more use of funding available from central departments
Review the information available to students for a consistent look and feel
Make staff more visible at Welcome

25. Conclusions
Use the resources available to you – staff and students often want experience for their CV
Don’t assume that other departments in the University know about the Library – we’ve amazed other services when we tell them our footfall
Make sure that you’re included in events – collaborate!
Get your key message out there to students – they don’t need to know everything at once.