Strategic OutreachTricking my departments into believing I’m one of them

Normal Stuff

•Marketing library events

•Self promotion

▫In other words, mass emails

Personalize it!• Email individual faculty

• Ask to meet to talk about THEM

Dear Dr Scientist,

As you might be aware, I am the librarian to Your Department. In order to better understand the activities at This University, I’m meeting with faculty to discuss their research. If you have some time this week or next, I’d love to chat with you about the work you do on Subject in your lab.

Please let me know what times might work for you.

I look forward to speaking with you,Margaret Janz…

Personalize it!• Email individual faculty

• Ask to meet to talk about THEM

• Follow up!

They will:

• Know my face• Enjoy talking about their

research• Associate my face with

having a pleasant interaction

• Contact me if they have library-related issues

But I’m not a scientist!

•They’re probably used to talking to non-experts

•Even if they talk over my head, I’ll still understand some stuff

•I’ll still understand if they have problems

What if they ignore me?

•Some people will ignore me.

•But not all!

▫Don’t get discouraged!

Departmental Seminars and Events•Get my face out there

•Learn more about the science

•Learn more about the lingo

•Learn about presentation norms and techniques

Eventually they will accept me as one of their own.

Photo Credit: National Geographic Society/Hugo Van Lawick.