Web of Knowledge thomsonreuters.com

Providing introductory and ongoing training to your users is a crucial task. Making sure that your users know about all the capabilities of the libraries resources has a substantial impact on usage.

ISI Web of Knowledge is enhanced and upgraded each quarter. We make changes to the current tools and features, as well as add new ones, to support researchers' needs.

We've developed a guide to help you set up a user training at your library.

Step 1: Spread the word

Make sure the people who can most benefit from training know about and attend your sessions.

Some ideas for getting the word out:

1. Send an e-mail or portcard to faculty and students, providing details of your training day.
2. Create posters for the library, faculty offices, student unions and dining halls, and other locations where potential attendees might be located.
3. Use the graphics available on this site or contact the training group for a marketing kit.
4. Place a banner ad on your library's website - i.e.- on the homepage or ear the Thomson Reuters product subscription link
5. Place an ad in your institution's newsletters or newspapers.
6. Secure a radio spot on your institution's radio stations.

 

Step 2: Supply Materials and Incentives to Attend

1. Contact the training team for a Marketing Kit.
2. Marketing Kits include a variety of posters, mobiles, floor stickers and other items to promote your ISI Web of Knowledge subscription.
3. Download Training Materials (including Quick reference Cards)
4. Download printable Fact Sheets and Tip Sheets
5. Provide a prize, set up a contest, or hold a random drawing
   

 

Prize ideas include:

• Tickets to a school sporting event
• Gift certificate to your school's bookstore or campus dining hall
• A t-shirt or hat with your institution's logo
• Phone card
• Voucher for free copier service at your library
• Voucher for a free hour with a librarian, serving as a personal research consultant

*Be sure to mention these incentives in your emails, posters, and promotional materials.

Improving search results and enhancing research efforts are certainly reason enough to attend a training session, but a little extra motivation never hurts!

So while you're organizing the handouts and counting your RSVPs, it also might be a good idea to order food and beverages!

 

Step 3: Seek feedback

Before your attendees leave, get their feedback.

Pass out a simple questionnaire that gives everyone a chance to tell you how things went.

• Was the information useful?
• Were the handouts sufficient?
• Was the time and location convenient?
• Is additional training necessary?

Make sure you're delivering exactly the information and assistance your researchers need to fully take advantage of the resources you've provided for them!