LOCAL STUDIES WORKSHOPS
page 2

The taster sessions are usually organised to coincide with a local or national event, such as Local History Month, Market Towns Week, Adult learners' Week or Family Learning Week. If demand for places outstrips places available, it is relatively easy to offer a second session.

How it was done

Crowland Library (photo François Matarasso)

Local Library staff strongly support these taster sessions and their part in promoting them is invaluable. A knowledgeable and enthusiastic leader is essential to get participants to see past the exteriors of some rather dull looking sources and to unlock the treasures inside.

An informal atmosphere is created so that participants feel able to ask questions, to comment or to share their own knowledge - some fascinating stories have been shared this way.

Participants are recruited through posters in the library and in community venues, flyers and word of mouth in the library, and through press releases. If the event is being run as part of a community festival, then it will be advertised in the brochure.

Costs are minimal: the Community Librarian's time, travel to and from the venue and stationery. Having run many of these taster sessions, Ruth now needs very little pre-event preparation time.

‘I was very pleased to be able to offer something out of the ordinary to the customers. The event attracted several customers that did not use the library for anything else. What was particularly satisfying was that they turned up a second time.’