Objective: The librarians sought to increase the number of patrons who enroll in the database classes offered, as well as better evaluate educational offerings. Methods: The librarians identified a decline in both the number of classes and attendees. To increase the quality of training and quantity of patrons, we undertook a new marketing effort. We sought marketing avenues including advertising classes in the campus-wide newsletter, on a white board in the library, and on an electronic board at the library’s entrance. We instituted a policy of following up via email with patrons who enroll but do not show up for the class to encourage enrollment in future classes. Now librarians allow time for walk-ins who observe the signs and want to take the class without registering. The librarian takes down the names and email addresses of drop-ins for follow-up. We created an electronic student feedback form. This survey is used to evaluate teaching styles, address follow-up questions, and determine how patrons learned about the classes.

1. Revitalizing Education at the Library:
Increasing Number of Attendees and Responding to Feedback
Emily Vardell, MLS, and Vedana Vaidhyanathan, MSLS
Department of Health Informatics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and John Crerar Library, University of Chicago
Objective Exploring Marketing Avenues Class Enrollment Numbers Class Evaluation Form
The librarians sought to increase the number of Campus-wide newsletter
patrons who enroll in the database classes offered,
as well as better evaluate educational offerings.
Background
Calder Library education librarians offer regularly e
scheduled database classes, including PubMed,
RefWorks, Scopus, and more. Patrons are
encouraged to preregister for classes. In the past
when no one registered or registrants did not attend, White board in the library
classes were cancelled. The librarians identified a
decline in both the number of classes and number of
attendees over the last few years. To make better
use of librarians’ time and to increase the number of
patrons who are trained on library resources, the
E-Update
librarians identified a need to improve marketing Results of Class Evaluations
e R
efforts.
Methods
Electronic board at the library’s entrance
To increase the quality of training and quantity of
patrons, the education librarians undertook a new
marketing effort. Librarians sought new marketing
avenues including advertising classes in the campus-
wide newsletter, on a white board in the library, and e S S
on an electronic board at the library’s entrance.
Librarians instituted a policy of following up via e = e-Update submissions began Conclusions
email with patrons who enroll but do not attend the R = RefWorks white board sign displayed Expanded use of new marketing avenues increased
class to encourage enrollment in future classes. class enrollment in regularly scheduled classes.
S = Scopus white board sign displayed
Survey results show that regular submission to the
Now librarians allow time for walk-ins who observe Email follow up campus-wide newsletter is the most effective new
the signs and want to take the class without Dear Mr. No Show, marketing technique. Marketing techniques that
registering. The librarian takes down the names and We missed you in the ______ class today. We have
Class Enrollment Changes
were less effective (e.g., electronic welcome screen)
email addresses of drop-ins for follow-up. another _____ class scheduled (day of the week), The number of attendees increased by an average of were discontinued to more efficiently use staff
The librarians also created an electronic student (month and day). You can find additional dates and 2 attendees per session for the PubMed classes, 2
times and register for future classes here: time. Stronger emphasis on follow-up with no-
feedback form. This survey is used to evaluate http://calder.med.miami.edu/forms/classregistration.
attendees per session for the RefWorks classes, and shows as well as with those class attendees who
teaching styles, address follow-up questions, and html We look forward to seeing you in a future class. 3.5 attendees for the Scopus classes. In addition, have remaining questions has increased attendance
determine how patrons learned about the classes. Please contact me if you have any questions, fewer classes were cancelled due to no-shows. and improved provided educational services.