Planning and Promoting Events in Health Sciences Libraries

Selected as a 2025 Doody’s Core Title

Library programming can increase patron awareness of and engagement with library resources and services. However, creative programming and promotion is what really draws people in, especially as libraries evolve and become more virtual. How can librarians reach their unique user groups when those users never have to step foot in the library?

Planning and Promoting Events in Health Sciences Libraries: Success Stories and Best Practices presents a simple blueprint for planning and promoting library events and programs written with medical librarians in mind. Whether you work in an academic or hospital setting, this book is full of useful suggestions and tips for taking the stress and confusion out of the library programming and event planning process. Drawing upon the wisdom and experience of health sciences librarians from across the country, this book will:

Walk readers through the stages of library programming and promotionAct as a how-to for health sciences librarians looking to create successful outreach events Highlight how other health sciences libraries just like yours have successfully created programs for their users, even those with little to no programming budgetEncourage readers to think creatively about their own programming and events
Planning and Promoting Events in Health Sciences Libraries: Success Stories and Best Practices will show you that you don’t need a degree in marketing in order to create successful outreach events. Health sciences librarians can take what they already know about their patrons and their own libraries and apply that knowledge to every planning process with the help of the practical strategies found in this guide.

Shalu Gillum, JD, MLS, AHIP is head of public services for the Harriet F. Ginsburg Health Sciences Library at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in Orlando, Florida. Shalu is responsible for managing library public services, including circulation, reference, instruction, programming, and promotion. Over the last ten years she has coauthored numerous publications, presentations, and workshops on library programming.
Natasha Williams is user services librarian at the Harriet F. Ginsburg Health Sciences Library at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine (UCF COM). She is responsible for creating various library promotional and informational materials, works closely with the head of public services to market, promote, and execute library events and services, and assess the needs of the different groups of patrons that utilize the library space. During the ten years she has spent at the UCF COM, she has co-authored articles and copresented on topics related to library programming and events.