DLS Groenkloof Library that keeps popping up!

The DLS Marketing Office collaborated with Fly@UP to bring students’ attention to the Library’s products and services by hosting pop-up events on campus. So far this year, the Library has been involved in 2 pop-up library sessions on the Hatfield Campus (21 February & 14 March) and 2 sessions on the Groenkloof Campus (20 February & 17 April).

The pop-up libraries have proved to be a simple and cost-effective way of promoting the Library. To ensure high visibility and maximum reach, the pop-ups are held during the busiest time of day on campus, between 11am and 2pm.  The focus was to draw students in to discover what the Library has to offer by engaging with them and creating a memorable experience. To attract passersby there were sweets on display as incentive to complete an entry form; either electronically with a QR code or on a printed handout. By completing the form and asking any Library related question, the students stood a chance to win vouchers from Bookmark, Haloa Coffee or Filos Restaurant. Many of the queries pertained to the Library app and the MakerSpace facilities. At the end of the form, students could write an optional comment. Many students thanked the staff members for being so approachable, kind and eager to help.  Of course, there were a few complaints/suggestions as well.

• “I think the library app is very useful as they explained and I am certainly going to use it, thank you for showing me!”
• “Having people from the library giving information is helpful because the library portal can be confusing.”
• “The library is very helpful, the support we get is really efficient and they are so friendly. Keep it up!”
• “The library makes the academic experience at the University of Pretoria easier. Accessibility to thousands of peer reviewed journal articles makes assignments and paper writing easier. I am also thankful for the assistance from librarians as well as active social media pages and motivation. Thank you library @UP.”
• “Very friendly and welcoming approach. I smiled even though I am not really a photo smiler. Enjoyable short conversations, I really like the work you are doing, it makes me feel home.” 
• “There should be hand sanitizes to clean your hands after and before using the library.”
• “The aircon is always too cold”

The first pop-up of the year also marked the first time it was hosted on the Groenkloof campus and there were a total of 127 entries. To generate excitement around the pop-up, students were encouraged to take group photos with the customised DLS ‘photo frame’, which is like the well-known Instagram frame. Some students were hesitant to talk to staff and pose for a photo, whereas others enthusiastically joined  in the fun. It became clear that a number of students were uncertain what the pop-up has to offer and would shy away from the stand, but when approached by an energetic librarian, they were very willing to talk and ask questions. 

The second pop-up library hosted on the Hatfield campus fared very well, with a total number of 172 entries. Much of that excitement had to do with the fact that the MakerSpace technicians joined in and had their 3D printed items on display alongside the printing machine.

The next Hatfield pop-up was hosted in celebration of #SouthAfricanLibraryWeek and there were 142 entries on that day. The DLS Marketing Office took a page out of Fly@UP’s nifty handbook and handed out free little motivational notes/cards. They were sourced from the UP Library Services’ weekly #MondayMotivation social media posts. The cards are intended to inspire and encourage the students to persevere during their studies by placing them on their desk, sticking them on their walls or using them as a bookmark. They were very popular and many students spent time looking at the stand, reading all the cards and choosing the quote that inspired them most to take home. Some even asked if they could perhaps take one for a friend, who they felt needed it too.

“They provide us with best motivational cards ever. My favourite one was "If you can dream it, you can do it", and the library is one of my favourite places here on Campus and the online library is super helpful.”

Education Faculty Library manager, Julene Vermeulen, carried out the fourth pop-up on Groenkloof campus. Of the 126 entries, most of the questions were about the library app or a book related query. In many of the comments the librarians were thanked for showing them exactly how to download and use the library app.

Overall, it was a great experience connecting with the students and finding out how the DLS can improve their academic and research needs.