create it and they will not come until you promote it

This semester I am involved with two unique workshop series:

• Library Workshops for Scientists and Engineers which offers 6 separate sessions on a variety of topics with two instructors
• Managing Your References which offers a RefWorks session at 6 different locations, dates and times with a wide variety of instructors

The workshop for Scientists and Engineers was offered last semester as well with 4 unique sessions.  We promoted the sessions through direct emails to our liaison areas, posters, blog postings and entries in the On Campus News.  We had 5 participants per session which we thought was an excellent beginning.

This semester we built on our past experience and expanded our promotion to emails to the International Student's Centre and the Graduate Student Office as well as banners on our library's home page.  The RefWorks sessions are offered in a variety of locations, so direct emailing was expanded to more liaison areas.  This marketing strategy was further strengthen by the effort of one individual who told anyone who would listen about our sessions.  We have had several individuals contact us directly, asking if they can add our workshops to their web sites, or blogs or what have you!

After the first workshop in each series: we noted 9 participants in the Scientists and Engineers series and a mind-blowing 22 participants for RefWorks.  What a difference strategic promotion has made!!!!

One thing that I have learned throughout this process, is don't forget about the core groups where the interest for these types of sessions would be the strongest.  Build relationships with the people who do attend or express interest and remember to call on them again next time!