Libraries exist in multiple places these days - not just through their websites, but in social media as well. What are the most common mistakes libraries make online? How can you make your library stand out without violating online community standards? Learn to re-think how your library presents itself to the world online.

1. Improving Your Library's
ONLINE PRESENCE
Laura Solomon, Library Services Manager, OPLIN

2. Slides are at:
http://www.slideshare.net/oplin

6. Which ego is holding up progress?
• Library
• Director
• Department head
• Board member
• The Terrible,
Territorial Librarian

7. EGO > PATRON = LOSS

8. CONSIDER:

9. Who is it REALLY for?
• Full list of board of trustees on homepage
• Mission statement on homepage
• Facebook and/or Twitter account that only posts
program and event announcements
• Social media accounts that only friend/follow
other libraries or librarians
• Links to the staff intranet on the library’s website
• Online content arranged specifically for the
convenience of the library staff

10. PATRON

11. https://secure.flickr.com/photos/laughingsquid/2421915297/

14. OK, so you’re going to jump on
Pinterest anyway…
• What’s the business case for
using it?
• What’s the plan? What will your
library specifically get out of it?
• What will your library do that is
unique and unlike what anyone
else is doing?

15. http://www.slideshare.net/augustinefou/the-pinterest-myth-by-augustine-fou-and-tugce-esener/?S=clickz

19. Ask:
• What?
• Why?
• Audience?
• Time?
• Success?

24. BUSY

26. Nobody likes this guy

27. This isn’t acceptable any more

29. Social …a two-way
media is… conversation..

30. Just tools

31. The library SUCKS!!!!

32. NOT an effective coping strategy

33. Bad apples aren’t the whole barrel

34. People who ignore the library are more dangerous

35. Re-thinking the website

36. [[SQUEAK]]

37. Not a good reason, either

38. Actual reasons to redesign
• LOTS of patron complaints
• The content has outgrown the original
architecture
• Nobody can find the important stuff
• It’s missing important functionality
• The design causes more problems than it
solves

39. The 2-Minute Offense

41. THEN
what?

42. Who’s it
REALLY
for?

43. What’s the
PAYOFF?

44. Absolutely shameless plug
Coming Fall 2012

45. Stalk me here
http://www.twitter.com/laurasolomon
http://www.facebook.com/laurasolomon
http://www.linkedin.com/in/laurasolomon
laura@oplin.org
http://www.meanlaura.com
http://www.slideshare.net/laurasolomon
Thank you!