Connecting with Your Community via Social Media: The Seattle Public Library
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Connecting with your Community via Social Media They already you!
description
Based on the hard work of and the slides created by Jennifer Robinson, Toby Thomas, and Caroline Ullmann.Overview of the use of social media at The Seattle Public Library. Presented at the Gates Foundation Global Libraries Peer Learning Meeting 2011.
Transcript of Connecting with Your Community via Social Media: The Seattle Public Library
Connecting with your Community via Social Media
They already you!
Presentation Goal
Provide practical tips on how to use social media to connect with your community, based on what we’ve
learned at The Seattle Public Library.
Shelf Talk: The Blog for Adults
Push to Talk: The Blog for (and by) Teens
Library Catalog (BiblioCommons)
Characteristics of Social Media
OPatron-generated contentOInteractiveOPotentially global in reachODynamicOImmediate
Important question #1
What’s the purpose of your Facebook page / Twitter account /
blog, etc?
Define your goals!
Important question #2
Can you manage a social media channel like a library service?
It requires time & resources!
Why are you doing this?
Engage Build Promote
Engage!
Give people a chance to participate and offer input
OPINIONS
HUMOR
EXPERIMENT
Build!Help create community online
around books,
reading, and the library.
READER’S
ADVISORY
SUGGESTING
http://seattle.bibliocommons.com/list/show/86922331_seattle_quick_picks/89193717_the_movie_was_better_than_the_book,_part_i
BOOKLISTS
Promote!Advertise your services, staff,
programs and collections
NEWFEATURES
CONTENT
FUNDRAISING
Tips for Ideas
Get ideas from your whole staff
Borrow ideas from other libraries and organizations
Try new things!
Focus on local or world current events
Take what you’re already doing, and “facebook” it or tweet it or blog about it
Use shareable content (links, etc.)
AdministrationSupport, Problems, Growth
But what about the dude posting with the naked avatar?
Community builds, defines, and polices itself.
Negative feedback? Respond publicly
Ads/spam/attacks/profanity? Remove from wall
Off topic comments? Bury with your own comments
Problems & Solutions
Set ExpectationsWe treat our customers with respect and expect
the same in return.
Interacting with the Library Online
Process!
1. As uncomplicated as possible
2. Scalable3. Covers your bases
4. Sustainable
Tools you absolutely need
People
Guidelines
Policies
CollaborationTools
Schedule
Ideas
Process
Tips for ProcessUse tools you’ve already got; no need for fancy stuff!
Use the power of collaboration to improve writing, flesh out ideas, and assure quality.
Schedule.Schedule.Schedule.
Start with a plan and procedures that are easily expanded and document them well.
Set up a “dummy” account on facebook.
Use the “two sets of eyes” approach
Thanks for Participating!
