Libraries Using Facebook ... o_O

The Broward County Library System has several Facebook pages. Each page represents the different clusters of the system. I liked the information provided on the library’s wall. It was relevant information. The information on the wall applies to all patrons. It is the latest news about the main library.

This page is severely underutilized. There are nine photos on this page. Libraries do a lot of events. If they could commit to uploading one photo for each event, then they could have several collections of photos by the end of the year. Also, it would be nice to see what the reference area or check out area look like. This could help patrons find things in the library.

I also feel they could have utilized the likes and interests section. I am sure that the Library of Congress has a facebook page that they can “like”. Also, each cluster of this system has a facebook page. Why didn’t they “like” those pages?

I think that if you are going to participate in social media you have to do your due diligence. They cannot expect people to “like” there page if they aren’t “liking” other pages. Participation in Facebook is more than just creating a page. Participation requires that you network with other users and interact with several facets of Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/browardcountylibrarymain?sk=info#!/browardcountylibrarymain?sk=wall

The Web 2.0 Craze

Most libraries have some sort of online presence. The level of online interactivity between libraries and their patrons vary. Emerging and Web 2.0 technologies afford libraries the opportunity to interact with their patrons outside of the library on a daily basis. However, this daily check-in could rub patrons the wrong way.

Web 2.0 technologies can be used to further support the patron experience. There is a new trend called “Support 2.0” which allows patrons to interact with the library through social media. I see it as providing another access point to the library (Abel, 2011). Also, social media allows the library to get a closer look (if allowed) of their patron demographics and interests. For instance, if a library has a Facebook page and most of the people liking their page are also a part of a group called “Let’s Garden!”, then the library can produce more programs that would attract this demographic. It helps the user (patron) keep up with the on goings at the library. It also helps the library keep in touch with it patrons. Facebook states that “More than 50% of our active users log on to Facebook in any given day”. I think that every library should attempt to take part in that statistic. Even if most of their patrons do not use new technologies. They might encourage a new demographic to patron their library.

Libraries can use Web 2.0 technologies to continue the goal of the library to inspire active learning. Gamble (2011) suggests that Web 2.0 technologies allow libraries to become learning commons and introduce a shared learning environment for academics. However, isn’t that what libraries already do? I see Web 2.0 technologies as a way to expand on the library’s active learning environment into social media. I do not think that social media owns the monopoly on active learning. I feel this also suggests that Web 2.0 technologies are an alternative to traditional active learning which is a false assertion.

Web 2.0 technologies allow libraries to observe literature trends. Beyond reading what your patrons are tweeting about, libraries can read the latest online stories on Twitter. Rudin (2011) calls this new form of fiction Twitterature. Libraries can keep up-to-date with the latest stories. It is always helpful to know what’s happening. If the patrons libraries serve keep up with these things, then, to provide proper service, the library needs to keep up with these things.

All of this advancement in technology is fantastic, but I think it is important for libraries to keep in mind that you can have “too much of a good thing”. For instance, I personally hate receiving tweets, comments, or notifications about things that have nothing to do with me. JcPenny is having a sale. The Rickford library is offering free computer classes. I think libraries should focus on relevance and understand the best use of each technology. For instance, 15 to 20 tweets is not nearly as annoying as 15-20 notifications.   

References

Abel, S. (2011). Customer support goes social. EContent, 34(9), p. 8.

Gamble, J. (2011). New essentials for the library as a learning commons. Library Media Connect, 30(2), p. 54-55.

Rudin, M. (2011). From hemingway to twitterature: The short and shorter of it. Journal of Electronic Publishing, 14(2), p. 1-8.

Statistics. Facebook. Retrieved from http://www.facebook.com/press/info.php?statistics