How can case studies support libraries and information services? #CILIPW17

I joined the CILIP Wales Conference #CILIPW17 today in Llandudno, to talk with the networking breakfast group about the impact of case studies.

It was a pleasure to meet Kathryn, from CILIP Wales who organised the conference, and Mandy, Jo and Nick Poole from CILIP’s central team. Juanita spoke first about the tools available in the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) for CILIP members and my job was to impress on the audience how much value case studies could add for local services to make an impact on their key stakeholders and the press.

We covered these key points in the discussion, which are relevant to anyone who wants to make the most of their case studies:

1.      Set up your case study program strategically: choose whom you want to reach and what key results you need to demonstrate.

2.      Follow the Case Study Ninja standard formula for creating great studies; yet personalise them by telling the story in the customer’s own voice – libraries contributing to solving local issues make a massive impact.

3.      Use case studies to market your local information services: branding, search engine keywords and social media all help raise awareness of the value the services contribute.

The conference covered a huge range of Library and Information Services topics, including the cross-sector benefits for the education, healthcare and employers within local communities.

Although we may hear the negative comments about local library services, driven by cuts and book borrowing, I’ve heard so many positives which can feed into powerful, newsworthy case studies. I look forward to seeing them in the public domain! And if your local information or library service has made a positive difference to you, why not let them know?