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Training Can Be Your Library’s Best Promotion; Here Are Five Top Training Tips
3. Promote and Build Relationships
We promote new library resources in various ways, depending on each resource itself and its relevance to our customers. We have used library newsletters, announcements on websites, global emails, notice-boards, group training sessions and even launch parties. But what seems to be the most effective way to generate interest is to use personal invitations. Although it is more time-consuming, more personalized promotion offers many benefits in terms of relationship-building with customers.
4. Train at Point of Need
Take every opportunity to promote resources, old and new, to all customers wherever it is convenient to them – at the inquiries desk, at any public computer in the library, in library staff offices, in academics’ offices, at communal coffee times, wherever you interact with customers. Don’t leave training just in the training room! Also try a "Two for the Price of One" approach; if a customer asks about a particular database, suggest another in the same subject area that could additionally help.
Ensure all library staff are kept up to date with resources so anyone can help customers either face-to-face or more importantly via email or telephone – particularly useful when supporting distance-learning or part-time students.
5. Structure Well Your Web Pages
We offer an information resources (IR) Web page which groups e-resources alphabetically by subject area and is designed around courses and research carried out at our institution. If a database such as ScienceDirect is useful in multiple areas, this database is listed in multiple subject areas. In addition to the IR page, on our departmental website we have online subject guides which also recommend particular resources. 
