We've Got A Guide for That: Building a Comprehensive Marketing and Support Framework for Institutional Repository Services

Institutional Repository services require continuous, multi-channel promotion and support to attract and retain conferences, journals, and other campus collections. However, given the relative complexity of the services offered, balancing promotional messaging with a clear representation of repository offerings, policies, and procedures can be a challenge. Providing a flexible but robust marketing and support framework is especially important for institutions that rely on non-repository public services personnel to provide front-line promotion of repository services to faculty and administrators.

During this session, we will look at Georgia Southern University's recently-developed Institutional Repository Services LibGuide as a model for providing such a framework (http://georgiasouthern.libguides.com/irservices/overview). This portal simultaneously provides 1) a front-line promotional tool, 2) a client-management tool for setup and support consultations, and 3) a storehouse for repository-related documents, forms, MOUs, and licenses. This portal further integrates with the library's other scholarly communications-related guides, providing seamless representation of these services to patrons.

Participants will use this guide as a jumping-off point to discuss strategies and best practices for mediating institutional repository services, and for integrating repository promotion and support into libraries' broader scholarly communications initiatives.