A to Z of Social Networking for Libraries: an INF506 OLJ Blog Entry



After reading AnnaLaura's blog article "A to Z of Social Networking for Libraries," I was excited to find that the Ames Free Library, where I am the Assistant Youth Services Librarian, has accomplished many of the social networking tasks that are so important for libraries utilizing web 2.0.  For example, we have several Active (for the letter A) web 2.0 platforms we use including Twitter, Flickr, Facebook (the letter F!), Pinterest and three Blogs (the letter B!).  The majority of our staff actively use these social networking sites with Zeal (the letter Z) and we are constantly trying to think of fun new ways we can use them to benefit the library.  However, there were a few areas where we could use improvement.  They are:

1. D-Direction-We have recently discussed how we can strategically use the web 2.0 platforms that staff manages.  It's easy for libraries to adopt new technologies, but how will they be used? Until this recent discussing, we were kind of aimlessly tweeting, posting and pinning.  Staff has read up on ways to use these technologies and we have come up with a basic game plan.  The library will use Twitter to represent the library publishing and marketing world.  Facebook will be used to advertise and connect with our patron group.  Pinterest is being used as a reader's advisory site.  This is all in the beginning stages, and we will evaluate how these strategies are working as time goes on.
2. E-E-Books - The library lends e-books through the library consortium but many people don't know about them.  We need to think of ways to advertise this service better.  We also lend e-readers like kindles and nooks, and these devices can be used as a way to promote e-books.
3. O-Open source- I hadn't heard of open source programs such as Joomla or Koha until I read this article.  It would be interesting to find out how implementing these open source programs can help blend social networking with the library website and card catalog.
4. R-Reference- While we currently offer reference service in person and through email we don't use social networks for answering reference questions.  I think adding this service to these sites would help promote more people to ask questions!
5. Y-Youth- As the Assistant Youth Services Librarian, I have been brainstorming ways to better reach out to youth through our social networking sites.  I would like to create a blog just for teens and a Facebook page where teens and the library can directly interact for fun programs like a virtual book club!

As you can see, the A-Z guide is a great way to evaluate library services and think of innovative ways to implement social networking into the library!