Successful Social Networking in Public Libraries - Softcover

Crawford, Walt

3.21

14 ratings by Goodreads

9780838911679: Successful Social Networking in Public Libraries

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0838911676 ISBN 13: 9780838911679

Publisher: ALA Editions, 2013

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Most commentaries to date on library use of social networks such as Facebook and Twitter have focused on a handful of well-funded public libraries with high-profile employees. Now Crawford's book fills in the rest of the picture, offering for the first time an in-depth look at how a large variety of public libraries are using social networks. Examining nearly 6,000 libraries across the US, Crawford

Analyzes social network usage by libraries of many different sizes and funding levels, showing how many of them are active and effective in quite different ways
Offers many examples that will help other libraries establish or refine their own social networking activities
Presents several key questions that libraries should ask themselves, such as "Who do we want to reach?" and "What's the best way to interact with communities?"
Gives libraries guidelines to set social networking goals and conduct ongoing evaluation
Includes illuminating comments from numerous librarians on the front lines of communication

Based on broad research, Crawford draws a vivid portrait that shows how a wide range of public libraries is conducting digital outreach and marketing through social networking.

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About the Author:

Walt Crawford is an internationally recognized writer and speaker on libraries, technology, policy and media. Author of numerous books, articles, and columns, Crawford is also the creator, writer and publisher of Cites & Insights: Crawford at Large, an ejournal on the intersections of libraries, policy, technology and media published monthly since 2001. He maintains a blog on these and other issues, Walt at Random.

Review:

"Each library is encouraged to define success on its own terms ... A useful reference tool for smaller libraries looking for easy-to-implement social media guidance." --Voice of Youth Advocates

The examples show successful posts, loaded with humor, invitations, anecdotes, and questions. A chapter on state-by-state findings helps benchmarking among comparable-sized libraries. Crawford s survey helps answer questions such as: Should libraries devote staff time to social media activities? Can they sustain these activities and engage their communities effectively? Do their patrons expect to see them in these media channels? The survey viewed social media as actual engagement, something beyond simply another publication channel. Some best practice issues are raised, including how frequently to post, how to deal with spam, and how to pull the plug if it is just not working. The take-away lesson here is that libraries of all sizes can have vibrant and engaging social network presences." --Reference & User Services Quarterly

"Those who are looking to improve upon their social-networking status or start from scratch will find much of use here. With 38 states represented and libraries of all sizes examined, the information and examples found here make a useful resource on libraries and social media." --Booklist

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