www.cranfield.ac.uk

Alumni Library Online – the Cranfield University alumni library service

Rachel Daniels - 11th December 2013

Background and Context

About Cranfield University•Wholly Postgraduate University•Based on two campuses – Cranfield in Bedfordshire and Shrivenham, Oxfordshire (large number of PT students – 85%)•60 years in operation and 50,000+ alumni

Back where it all began…• Cranfield sets up Alumni Library Online in 2007• Focussed on continuing professional development• Management-oriented• Originally a tiered service

• Basic access was free• Full service was charged at £50 per annum

• No service at Shrivenham Campus• Small uptake and usage

www.cranfield.ac.uk

Where we are now

- Free and open for all!- Still an online service focussed on CPD- Individual username and password using EZPublish- Rise in membership of ALO service over last few years- Annual work plan for the service

Current service overview

What’s included:Access to three major databases

• ABI/Inform Alumni• Ebsco Business Source Complete• Sage

RefWorks for AlumniTrialling Udini until 20th DecemberQuality free web resources

www.cranfield.ac.uk

Access via Alumni area or direct from the Library website

Listed with their other online benefits

Quality free web resources

General Resources

Keeping up to Date

Making the most of the service

Service Development on a budget

1. Make your alumni feel special 2. Offer free quality web resources3. Create awareness of your service4. Get library staff on board5. Find who else can help you6. Be brave in your negotiations7. Make it official – have a strategy

7 suggestions to help that don’t have to cost the earth…

www.cranfield.ac.uk

Future developments

New era in Alumni support at Cranfield

What we want to achieve:- More members!-Better authentication-Better planned communications with alumni-Wider online resources such as e-books, and wider subject coverage-More joined up with Careers-Encourage more feedback from alumni and participation in bi-annual survey

Any questions?

www.cranfield.ac.uk