The document provides guidance on using social media for communications. It discusses why libraries should use social platforms like Facebook and Twitter, as citizens increasingly use mobile devices to access these spaces. It recommends focusing on the main social channels and knowing the demographics of each. The document also provides tips on what content to share on each channel, such as events, resources, and photos. It stresses the importance of planning by identifying target audiences, designing social media segments, adopting policies, and training staff. The overall message is that libraries must engage citizens where they are online through thoughtful social media strategies.

1. Social Communications
Getting Prepared andGetting Prepared and
Making it HappenMaking it Happen
Carol A Spencer
Digital & Social Media Manager
October 2, 2013

2. •Why be in the social space
•The Social Spaces
•Where to Share
•What to Share
•About Posting
•Plan. Plan. Plan.
•Resources
Communications in the
Social Space

3. Why be in the social space
We’re social…
• 1 in 8 US married couples met via social media.
• If FB were a country, it would be the 3rd largest.
• Fastest growing segment on FB is women, 55 - 65
• Gen Y (17 to 34) & Gen X (35 to 45) have
abandoned email.
• 96% of Gen Y belong to a social network.
• Gen X and Gen Y are our families, workers,
commuters, taxpayers, voters…

4. Why be in the social space
We’re mobile…
• US mobile penetration: 110% (phones, tablets)
• There are more than 100M smartphone users in
the US, up 13% since October, 2011.
• Nearly 40M US mobile users access social sites
every day
• 74.6% of adults text message on their phones
• 87% of teens text message on their phones
• People just expect to get information online

5. Social & Mobile are the Norm
Twitter
Microblog
Flickr
Still Photos
Google
Email, Apps
Scribd
Documents
Skype
Phone, chat
LinkedIn
Network
Pinterest
Online Pinboard
Foursquare
Location app
WordPress
Blog
Blogger
Blog
Facebook
Network
YouTube
Video
Vimeo
Video
RSS Feed
Subscription
SlideShare
Presentations

6. •The options are overwhelming
•Focus on the main social channels:
– Twitter
– Facebook
– YouTube
– Flickr (or other photo sharing site)
– Instagram
– Pinterest
•Know the demographics of each
The Social Spaces

7. • Facebook: more conversational; allows for
longer posts (2000 characters)
• Twitter: short posts with links (140 characters)
• YouTube: short, interesting videos
• Flickr: still photos; good for the press
• Instagram: young demographic, visual, short,
descriptive text
• Pinterest: photos, female demographic
Where to Share

8. What to Share
• Pointers about how to do things at the library
(connecting to wifi, new cards, etc)
• What you have available
• Resources a finding a job
• Events: before, during and after an event
• Hours, closings, other resources when closed
• Digital Library, Braille Library, Home book
deliveries
• Cross posting with the town, schools, county, and
other libraries

9. • Google Hangouts with an author
• Guest blogs, then feature on Facebook, Twitter
• Local artist, author interviews on YouTube
• Online donations in memory of citizens, loved
ones
• Check-ins on Foursquare, Facebook
• Contests
• Library role in emergencies: charging stations
Think outside the box

10. • Widgets: can be embedded in your website
• Twitter Fast Follow
Text ‘Follow @twitterhandle’ to 40404
All tweets arrive as text messages
Good throughout the US. Can be done for any
Twitter handle.
• Add “like” or “follow us” buttons to your home
page
https://developers.facebook.com
https://twitter.com/about/resources/buttons
Expanding your presence

11. •Determine your social voice
•Anything the library is doing
Additions to the collection
Children’s events
Room rentals – anything public
Audio / video collections
•How the library can help
Power outage charging stations
Research assistance
Homework helpers
•Use visuals (photo / video) where possible
People scan, don’t read, online
Videos that add value
Photos to add comfort to new patrons
About Posting

12. • Identify your audiences
• Design and build targeted social segments
• Have policies adopted and posted
• Use a social media dashboard
•Hootsuite
•Measured Voice
•Others….
• Determine who can post and train them
• Be mindful of accessibility
• Put social icons prominently on your website
Plan. Plan. Plan.

13. • SlideShare.net/MorrisCountyNJ
Building a Municipal Social Presence
• Web Junction (Webinar)
http://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/Library_So
• ALA
http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2013/09/depth-loo
• Morris County classes in 2014
Will be listed in the Academy catalog
(MorrisAcademy.org)
Resources

14. •Why use social media
Because citizens live in this space
•Know your audience
Be prepared to communicate with all
•What should be posted
Anything going on at the library
•Plan. Plan. Plan.
Design, staff, training, voice, policies
Practice
In Summary

15. Social Communications
Getting Prepared andGetting Prepared and
Making it HappenMaking it Happen
Carol A Spencer
Digital & Social Media Manager
October 2, 2013