Tumblr for Public Libraries Workshop
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for public libraries Molly Wetta for ALA TechSource #tumblr4publib
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Transcript of Tumblr for Public Libraries Workshop
for public libraries
Molly Wetta for ALA TechSource
#tumblr4publib
Molly WettaCollection Development Librarian (and official tumblarian)
Lawrence (Kansas) Public Librarylawrencepubliclibrary.tumblr.com
personal tumblr: mollymwetta.tumblr.comreaders’ advisory tumblr: findyournextbook.tumblr.com
twitter: @[email protected]
Agenda
● Getting Started● General Tips● Building Community● Readers’ Advisory on Tumblr● Notable Public Library Tumblrs ● Beyond Readers’ Advisory
What is tumblr?
the boring answer:
a microblogging platform and social media site that supports multimedia content.
“the best baby twitter and wordpress didn’t know they had”
But what is tumblr *really*?
tumblr is...
#CAT GIFS
tumblr is...
#BOOKS#READING
#LIBRARIES
tumblr is...#FANDOM
tumblr is...CONVERSATION
#YALIT
#booklr
tumblr is...
YOUR COMMUNITY
#LFK
#LAWRENCE KS
Why should libraries use tumblr?
● vibrant bookish + library community
● reach new audience ○ the young folks (18-34) ○ heavy internet users
● users spend longer per visit than other social media (http://mashable.com/2013/04/17/users-stay-longer-on-tumblr-than-facebook/)
Getting Started● themepick a clean designnavigation + index
● descriptionspecify location + mission
● website/logoconsistent branding across platforms
● URLif possible, keep handle consistent with other social media accounts
Administration Buy-In
● explain your goals
● have a plan
● have a schedule (how much time will you devote to it?)
● show positive examples of library tumblrs
Goals
● engagement + interaction
● quality content that supports strategic goals
● extension, not duplication, of services
MeasuresWhat does success look like? ● posting consistently● strong local following● reblogs from high profile accounts● YOU DECIDE
How to get numbers● Google analytics● native analytics
Assemble Your Team● recruit experienced tumblr
users (even if they’re not on web/social teams)
● have a clear leader responsible for voice and schedule
● mix of front-line staff and those who work behind-the-scenes
● coordinate with staff managing other platforms
Copyright and Ethics
● fair use
● reblog with attribution + preserve notes
● takedown notices
Copyright and Ethics
Bobby Finger, one of 27 curators of the tumblr #gif tag:
“Unattributed sharing doesn’t irritate me at all. I think part of the unspoken agreement you have when uploading a GIF anywhere on the Internet is that it’s no longer yours — it’s part of the great big community pool we all visit when wanting to express how we’re feeling in the way nature intended: on a loop.”Ann Friedman, “What Journalists Really Need to Know About Animated Gifs.” 24 November 2014. http://www.poynter.org/how-tos/writing/183802/what-journalists-need-to-know-about-animated-gifs-really/
Gifs Through Native Search
Hashtags
● be consistent: these curate your content
● first 5 featured
● okay to get a meta/silly with hashtags
Hashtags to Watch and Use
● books + lit: #lit, #yalit, #booklr, #book advice
● libraries: #tumblarians, #libraries
● fandom specific (may not be what you think)supernatural: #spnhannibal: #fannibal#doctorwho vs. #drwho
General Tips
for the care and feeding of your public library tumblr
Reblog! Add your own comments.
Interact with other libraries.
Interact with authors.
Participate in memes.
Capitalize on breaking news.
Celebrate Internet holidays.
Sometimes a post totally bombs. It’s okay.
Questions?
Connecting with Your Local Community
● Find your local/regional hashtag
● Follow other blogs focused on local content
● Reblog/Like other local power users
● Host a real life Tumblr meet up
Feature Local Content
Use high quality photos.
Show your personality! Interact with patrons.
Promote your events strategically.
Know your audience.
Reblog and add a local twist! Feature your services, programs, and
collections.
Curate local artists
Feature current events
Spotlight local, but with wide appeal.
Spotlight novel ideas or innovative marketing.
Showcase staff. Show your personality.
Track any mention of your library. You never know what you’ll find.
Share local events your followers will be interested in.(bonus! may lead to outreach and partnership opportunities).
Questions?
Readers’ Advisory on Tumblr
● booklists (don’t be afraid to think outside the box!)
● graphics and flowcharts (these are crazy popular)
● book reviews (especially in gifs!)
● personalized recommendations (through the ask box, can be private or shared with everyone)
● book discussions (#reblogbookclub)
Flowcharts + RA Graphics
Put a creative or unique spin on the booklist theme or topic.
Take inspiration from pop culture
and other forms of media.
Tumblr runs on fandom -- really, pop culture content is the way to
go.
Start with image that introduces content or theme.
Use a gif.Tag official account.
Like-->Try--Why posts done two ways.
Mix photo slide of recommendations with text with
gifs and descriptions.
Title to introduce post with image
and text.
Text to explain images (for
visually impaired).
Attribution to author gives
personal touch.Images! Tumblr is a highly visual
platform.
Collaborate with other libraries.
Ask Box Recommendations
Personalized Book Suggestions
Review Books in Gifs● Curate a gif library
● Find that perfect gif
● Reaction gifs!
● Tell the synopsis in pictures
● labor intensive, but fun
Virtual Book Discussions● #reblogbookclub: the official tumblr
book club
● follow via hashtag
● discussions, author talks, fanart
● not constrained to a particular time like a twitter chat
● one book, one community events
Index RA Content
Questions?
Notable Public Library Tumblrs
and Beyond Readers’ Advisory
Pickerington Public Libraryhttp://pickeringtonlibrary.tumblr.com/
Austin Public Libraryhttp://austinpubliclibrary.tumblr.com/
Local History and Archives
Hennepin County (MN) Public Library http://hclib.tumblr.com/
Spotlight on Community
Evanston (IL) Public Library http://evanstonpubliclibrary.tumblr.com
Curating Content
Darien (CT) Public Libraryhttp://darienreads.org
Focus on Makerspace
Denver (CO) Public Library http://dplidealab.tumblr.com/
Questions?
Molly WettaCollection Development Librarian (and official tumblarian)
Lawrence (Kansas) Public Librarylawrencepubliclibrary.tumblr.com
personal tumblr: mollymwetta.tumblr.comreaders’ advisory tumblr: findyournextbook.tumblr.com
twitter: @[email protected]
image creditsSlide 10: CC image by Flickr User Darren Larson http://bit.ly/1HK2GVUSlide 11: CC Image by Flickr User Joey Rozier http://bit.ly/1MjAJuqSlide 12: CC Image by Flickr User steve9567http://bit.ly/1DqEIgsSlide 13: CC Image by Flickr User sarahluv http://bit.ly/1JsRpJKSlide 14: Avengers wallpaper http://cupegraf.com/345702-avengers-assemble.htmlSlide 16: CC image by Flickr User Horia Varlan http://bit.ly/1I4j6YeSlide 20: CC image by Flickr User Kristina Alexanderson http://bit.ly/1gK9hsASlide 28: Downtown Lawrence Mural by Molly WettaSlide 40: CC image by Flickr User by Anna Creech http://bit.ly/1Gwh1Dl
