I used to be more of a proponent for libraries creating a presence in these social realms but in thinking about how much libraries should participate, I kept coming back to a comment I read somewhere. Could have been on a blog or in an email or something a project player said. I don't remember that, but the comment stuck.
Their analogy went something like this: Having a library presence on MySpace and Facebook or other mostly social networks was like being a librarian walking into a bar and giving a presentation about library services. Certainly you may find customers who've never used the library or don't know about your services, but are they people who want to be found? Do they want to hear all about your library while they're socializing?
I'm not arguing against all efforts to network in these social settings. We do visit groups to tell them all about the library when we're asked - the key is being asked. But I don't expect much from them either. What I do argue is that there are networking places that may be a better fit for libraries. If you want to catch people socially, how about meeting them through books on GoodReads?
Am I off the mark here?
6 comments:
your post and comment are exactly the reasons that the library/librarian SHOULD be on the social networking sites. Where is your brand, awareness? Do people even know what they can do? Where is the conversation (I admit you have one going here with your blog) but instead of living in old media/ways, why not embrace where the people are, whether it be myspace, facebook, or the bar. When I was in Portland, OR they had "Science Pub" at the bars. Come learn about science. See there are always ways to get people involved. And having a presence on those sites wont hurt you, that is for sure.
I'm not sure I agree with you Steve. I liken it to hosting a storytime in a grocery store. Is it really effective? Does it really draw in a new audience? Or are you competing in an arena that already has a clearly defined goal(selling food) and wasting precious library resources that could be used more effectively elsewhere?
I guess it depends on your goals. To get more people interested in the library and more people utilizing the resources available at the library? Or would you rather just target the niche crowd that already uses the library, not broadening your base at all?
I see what you're saying Steve and it's something we think about all the time. But we also have to think about our resources. Joining a social network shouldn't be a throwaway endeavor. If we create a presence then we need to make sure it is kept up-to-date and has some content.
So my post was more in the line of wondering if this is the best way for us to network. Our library does have several blogs that we update and maintain as well as RSS feeds and a web page. And we're always trying to think of new ways to get the word out. I'm just not sure this is the best use of our time and effort.
What is the niche crowd at the public library? An entire middle school working on their current topics projects, folks working on their taxes, a guy working on his first resume, a woman looking for foreign films, families here to make Valentines and a professor requesting interlibrary loan items are a few in the niche that I have worked with since Friday.
I would love to see buswraps advertising the library, and a full blown media campaign, if there was $ for that kind of marketing blitz.
Hi Veronica,
What a great conversation going on around your social networking post. I don't have a good answer, either. I think it's up to each library to determine where best to put their marketing energies.
I like the analogy about a bar and social networking. However, I have been in situations where I'm meeting new people socially and after a while, the conversation ends up being a plug for public libraries. It's in our blood (or at least mine) and I find that I'm an advocate for libraries everywhere I go - even online.
I do agree with you that if a library has a presence in these spaces, they need to be kept up to date and have meaningful content. Maybe the key is to get our story out in as many places and as effectively as possible. Personally, I wouldn't devote a huge amount of time to maintaining a presence in one of these networks - but I'd try and be visible.
Just my thoughts...
Keep on playing!
Jean
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