Move over message boards – Facebook Groups are here to stay and more popular than ever. But what exactly are they and how can you keep up? And what if you want to make your own? In this presentation, we explore Facebook Groups and how they work. We will explore: – how they can help your library connect to users in a meaningful way – how you can create your own group – how to use other groups to promote services – tools you can use to manage your group effectively Presenter: Rachel Eichen has over 10 years of in-person and remote teaching experience in a variety of industries including: casinos, financial institutions, restaurants, hospitals, and libraries. She even taught computer classes on a cruise ship! In a former life, she was a technical writer. Rachel holds a Master’s degree in Library & Information Science and a bachelor’s degree in Technical Writing. She currently lives just outside of Las Vegas and works for the casino industry.

1. Using and Creating
Facebook Groups to
Connect with Users
Rachel Eichen

2. Overview
Pages vs. Groups
Libraries and Groups
Creating a Group
Managing a Group

3. Pages
vs. Groups

4. • Like a personal page
• Some interaction
• Searchable via
Google
• No FB account
needed to view

5. • Engagement harder
• In feeds less
Cons

6. What are Facebook
Groups?

7. • Discussion based
• Open or closed
• Community run

8. Closed Facebook Groups

9. Joining a Group

10. Every
Group
Has Rules

11. Some Group
Posts Must be
Approved

12. How Libraries and
Librarians use
Facebook Groups

13. For
Professional
Development
https://www.facebook.com/groups/LibrarySocial

14. For
Sharing
Ideas &
Programs
https://www.facebook.com/groups/LibraryConsAndFests/

15. For
Specific
Areas of
the Library
https://www.facebook.com/groups/kentonlibraryarchives/

16. For Shared
Interests of
Patrons
https://www.facebook.com/groups/upstatereads/

17. For
Creating
Community
Within Each
Branch
https://www.facebook.com/bossierlibrary/groups

18. Let's Create a Group!

19. Get the Word Out!
• On your page
(if applicable)
• Your page's groups tab
• Other related groups
(read the rules!)

23. Let's Look at a Group!

24. Best Practices
• Have multiple admins
• Post regularly
• Reevaluate rules
• Consult your social media
policy

25. Resources
• Facebook Groups vs. Facebook Pages
• Build Your Community with FB Groups
• Librarian Facebook Groups
• Getting Started with Social Media

26. Thank You for
Attending!
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