South Dakota State Library: Library Development e-Newsletter

Trends and More!

Promote your library services with social media

How do you get the word out about library news and events? Traditional methods still work, but social media gives you new ways to promote your library. Facebook, Twitter, blogs, Flickr—these popular social media tools encourage and expect interaction.

Why use social media?

• Social media goes where your patrons are. Middle-aged and senior citizens are joining young people on social media sites at rapid rates. Social media has gone mainstream.
• Social media can be kept current and reach more people faster than print media. Patrons can easily share posts with others, spreading your message exponentially.
• Social media allow patrons to interact with the library, to voice their opinion and to respond to library postings. You are fostering community by being part of the online community.

What social media should you use?

• Where is your target audience most apt to be? If you hear patrons talking about certain social media sites, that’s where they are.
• What is your goal? If you want a dialogue, create a blog. If you want short, quick announcements, choose Twitter. Use the medium that best fits your purpose.
• You don’t have to do everything at once. Start with one and expand as desired.
• How much staff time is required to set up and maintain the social media? How much time does staff have to devote to it?

For what would you use social media?

• Library news
• Book/DVD reviews
• New materials lists
• Fundraiser information and results
• Programs, classes and events
• Highlight special services
• Changes in hours
• Tell your library’s story

What results should you expect?
Quite a few libraries in SD actively participate in social media networks. Tracking results online is not as easy as tracking door counts. Aside from patron comments, you may not know the impact of your efforts, even if you use tracking software. You will need to publicize your online presence to let the public know you’re there. Experts recommend frequent posts to keep your name in the public’s awareness. Be consistent, and see what develops.

You will still want to use traditional promotional media—newspapers, flyers and word of mouth—but social media may reach patrons you have not reached and help them see the value of your library.

Recommended resources:

• WebJunction webinar archive from Nov. 19, 2009 live webinar, Using Social Media to Make the Case for Supporting Library Services, http://www.webjunction.org/events/webinars/webinar-archives/-/articles/content/86131538
• TechSoup for Libraries webinar archive from Jan. 19, 2010 live webinar, Integrating Social Media Into Your Website, http://www.techsoupforlibraries.org/events/integrating-social-media-into-your-website-0

More resources in the news

Net Cetera: Chatting with Kids about Being Online is the new guide and bookmark from the Federal Trade Commission for parents, teachers and librarians. Go to www.onguardonline.gov/netcetera for more information and to order as many free copies as you can use.

Florida State, Rutgers and Syracuse lead school library research
“Up, Up, and Away: How a group of researchers is reinventing school libraries” is a SLJ article too important to miss. Take a look at what the research says at www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

What is Library Development reading?

Scary, Gross, and Enlightening Books for Boys, Grades 3-12
Reviewed by Jasmine Rockwell

What librarian wouldn’t like to get more boys to read? National studies show that boys read an average of 1.5 grade levels behind girls. It’s also a generally accepted fact that girls will read books with male lead characters, but boys will rarely read books with female lead characters. Rather than throw our hands up in despair because there is no magic pill, we can to turn to books like Scary, Gross, and Enlightening Books for Boys, Grades 3-12 by Deborah Ford (2010).

In the 10 chapters of this book, readers will find not only book lists in genre categories such as mysteries and sports, but lists of books with movie tie-ins and books with male leads. Each chapter includes strategies for enhanced learning and Web connections for further exploration. Every title is marked with the publisher’s indicated interest level, a suggested grade level range and has a one sentence summary. The book also has a sample reading interest survey available for you to use with your young patrons. Check it out from the State Library.

internet, reviews, trends, web 2.0, webinars

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