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Finding Champions our strategy for finding (and keeping) library advocates

Discover our strategy for engaging and retaining library advocates in the digital realm, vital for modern healthcare. Learn how to overcome challenges and barriers with a network of champions.

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Finding Champions our strategy for finding (and keeping) library advocates

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  1. Finding Championsour strategy for finding (and keeping) library advocates Alison Turner Fran Wilkie Nick Rosen National electronic Library for Health UK 9th European Conference of Medical and Health Libraries Santander, September 2004

  2. Background • National electronic Library for Health • Digital library • Supports evidence-based decision making • England only • www.nelh.nhs.uk • UK health libraries • National Health Service • Academic • Independent • etc

  3. Why we need champions • Visibility and value • “in the late twentieth and early twenty-first century, libraries are no longer a given” (Siess, 2003) • Awareness • Information required up to 60 times per week; may affect up to 8 decisions per day (Covell, 1985) • 62% of primary care professionals unaware of access to databases (Robinson, 2002) • Skills • Outsell 2004: 75% believe that search engines allow them to find the information they need to do their jobs

  4. Challenges and barriers • Challenges • Raise awareness • Deliver training • Get knowledge into professional lives • Barriers • Size and nature of health community • Health professionals don’t have time • We are remote from our users

  5. Our solution • Approach • Power of “word of mouth” • Power of a network of champions • Objectives 2003 – 2004 • Network of librarians • National awareness campaigns • Networks of networks

  6. Network of librarians • Integrated approach to marketing and training • wider reach for publicity campaigns • offers economies of scale • Principles • We work better collectively than individually • Lack of awareness remains high • Promotion is the first stage of training • Sharing of knowledge and know-how is crucial

  7. Digital Libraries Network (DLnet) • What is DLnet? • Network for health librarians and trainers • Focus on training & promotion • Virtual community • Support network • Development • Events • Web site www.nelh.nhs.uk/dlnet • Collaborative weblog http://dlnet.blogspot.com • Community of practice

  8. DLnet members • build networks of networks to help "spread the word" across the health community   • develop creative ideas for promoting services and delivering training • are encouraged to contribute ideas and experiences

  9. Benefits • For the network • Impact of a co-ordinated approach • Recognition of contributions of library staff • A valuable support structure • “One size fits all” to tailored • For individuals • Support & training • Advance information • Rewards and incentives • Tailored professional development

  10. Feedback • “I think DLNet is an excellent idea and a lot of useful support has been provided. Nice to not feel isolated anymore!” • “I find access to the information/materials available excellent and would like to see a wider range” • “The Digital Library Network has made it so much easier to get in touch with other Outreach Librarians”

  11. National awareness campaigns • Awareness Week 2002 • “Pass it on…” campaign • Highly commended CILIP Awards • Awareness Week 2003 • Partner Scheme • Phone in Learning Sessions

  12. Impact • Over 45,000 visits to NeLH • + 670 sessions of Phone In telephone training delivered • 104 organisations signed up as Partners • Number of visits per month increased from 159,000 (September) to 200,000 (November) • 60 000+ pieces of literature distributed by librarians and other champions • 3500 completed user surveys

  13. Plans for 2004 • Health Libraries Week • 15 – 21 November 2004 • Aims • Profile of library staff and their importance in C21st healthcare • Breadth of services in libraries, combining virtual and physical resources • Targeted promotion : Open Access publishing; primary care

  14. Networks of networks • Case studies • Taking training to the users • 10 minute training in primary care • Training for midwives • Presentations to senior managers • Library Committees • Local events

  15. Benefits • Joining up local and national marketing activities • Promotion of resources as a seamless service • Avoiding duplication • Sharing of good practice • Clear communication routes

  16. Lessons learned • Contribution of communications work to bigger picture • Role of partnership working • Local innovation and creativity • Knowledge sharing • Keeping fresh • Realistic planning • Reflective approach • Time and energy required

  17. What and where next? • Making the network stronger • Professional development

  18. More information • A Turner, N Rosen & F Wilkie. Raising e-awareness in health. Library and Information Update, 2 (12), December 2003, 48-49. • A Turner, N Rosen & F Wilkie. Joining forces: developing a network to raise awareness of digital library resources in health care. Vine, 33 (4), 161-167.

  19. Useful reading • Library Advocate’s Handbook • http://www.ala.org/ala/advocacybucket/ libraryadvocateshandbook.pdf • Judith A Siess. The Visible Librarian: asserting your value with marketing and advocacy. ALA, 2003.

  20. Thank you Alison Turner Fran Wilkie Nick Rosen nelh@nhsia.nhs.uk

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