Using Social Media to Build Library Communities: A LITA Guide

Young, Scott W. H. and Doralyn Rossmann, editors. Using Social Media to Build Library Communities: A LITA Guide. Rowman & Littlefield, 2017. ISBN 978-1-4422-7051-0

Using Social Media to Build Library Communities: A LITA Guide is a community-building action manual for practitioners across the profession. By bringing together an array of perspectives to explore community building through social media, this book serves as the go-to resource for professionals who want to take social media beyond marketing and promotion to build an inclusive and engaged community of library users. 

Using Social Media to Build Library Communities demonstrates that an energetic and committed community exists to help and guide fellow community builders.

Connected Librarians Tap Social Media

Robertson, Nikki D. Connected Librarians: Tap Social Media to Enhance Professional Development and Student Learning. International Society for Technology in Education, 2017.
ISBN: 978-1-56484-392-0

Publisher's Description
Once taboo in schools, the use of social media has become essential, providing schools with opportunities for outreach, advocacy and more. Today, it’s often the responsibility of librarians to model the proper use of social media for students.

Connected Librarians: Tap Social Media to Enhance Professional Development and Student Learning offers insights into the opportunities and obstacles of this exciting but sometimes challenging topic, including practical ideas for making the most of social media in your school library.

This informative guide is the professional development librarians need to understand how to effectively use social media to improve student learning.

This book will:

• Demonstrate how to model responsible social media use to manage issues of privacy and anonymity within social media sites and apps.
• Provide tips on teaching digital citizenship, such as using a learning management system to create a safe environment for students to hone digital communication skills.
• Show how to leverage social media tools to encourage reading and writing through rating and reviewing books, creating fan fiction and more.
• Demonstrate how to use social media as a powerful tool to build your own professional learning network.

Table of contents and excerpt

Social Media and Your Brain

Prado, C. G., editor. Social Media and Your Brain: Web-Based Communication Is Changing How We Think and Express Ourselves. ABC-CLIO, 2017. ISBN: 978-1-44085453-8

Publisher's Description

While society has widely condemned the effects on preteens and teens’ natural social maturation of digitally enabled communication, such as texting and messaging, and of social media apps, such as Facebook, Instagram, and SnapChat, these forms of communication are adversely affecting everyone, including adults. This book examines how social media and modern communication methods are isolating users socially, jeopardizing their intellectual habits, and, as a result, decreasing their chances of achieving social and professional success.

The ubiquitous use of the Internet and social media is changing our society—in some ways, for the worse. Use of social media, the Internet, and other purely digital and less-personal communication methods are distorting the intellectual and social maturation of teens and preteens in particular—those among us who were born into and raised with Internet technology. People's ability to read facial expressions, interpret subtle differences in spoken intonation, and perceive body language is in significant decline due to the use of social media and the Internet largely replacing direct, face-to-face contact with other human beings.

This book documents how changes in our daily behavior caused by the proliferation of social media are reshaping individuals' personalities and causing an evolution of the character of our society as a whole. Readers will understand how these important changes came about and how more connectivity all too often leads to more ignorance and less comprehension, and will consider solutions that could counter the negative effects of being "too connected, too often."

Features

• Focuses on the effects of the Internet and social media overall on the specific groups most affected: ‘tweens, teens, and college students, individuals who take to the use of such modern communication methods naturally but who are also ill-equipped to use self-control to resist the instant gratification, constant distraction, and addictive behaviors that come with social media
• Alerts readers to consequences of social media and Internet use of which they are likely unaware
• Identifies practical solutions that can serve to counter the wide-reaching negative effects of excessive use of and reliance on social media

Distracted

Kurtzberg, Terri R., and Jennifer L. Gibbs. Distracted: Staying Connected without Losing Focus. ABC-CLIO, 2017.
ISBN: 978-1-4408-4295-5

Publisher's Description

What are the benefits and negative consequences of our increased connectivity at school, at work, and at home? Is being constantly distracted now a worldwide problem? This book examines how new technologies and social pressures have changed the way we use our attention, and the extent to which they drive us to distraction, by interpreting hundreds of scientific studies from the literatures in cognitive and social psychology, sociology, communication, management, and decision making.

While distraction is ever-present in daily life, staying connected in an efficient way is the goal for one and all. To accomplish that, some amount of fine-tuning of typical interactions with technology is in order. Nearly everyone recognizes the addictive nature of constant connectivity—and its destructive effect on productivity and quality of work. But the availability of technology also promotes better engagement, control, and flexibility in both professional and personal settings. An in-depth analysis of these tradeoffs can lead to smarter choices about when and how to be connected throughout the day and across settings. The ultimate objective is to have technology enhance our lives without serving as a source of constant distraction.

Distracted: Staying Connected without Losing Focus explains the nuances of what this addiction stems from—considering both societal and technological factors—and identifies both the invaluable opportunities and the counterproductive consequences of living in our technology-enabled, instant-access-to-everything world. The chapters examine a wide swath of scientific research to expose how technology use affects our attention and the extent to which it causes distraction. Authors Terri Kurtzberg and Jennifer Gibbs apply the science of human attention to reveal how specific areas of our lives are significantly changed with the advent of "continuous connectedness," including in the workplace, in personal relationships, in childhood development, and with regard to education and learning. Readers will clearly understand why multitasking fails us, what the consequences are—to ourselves and those around us—of being focused on a screen for much of the day, and how each of us can adjust our use of technology in order to improve our lives.

Features

• Offers a comprehensive and insightful understanding of how technology use in daily life affects our attention, our work performance, and our relationships
• Describes how to get and keep the attention of others in a distracted, mobile-device enabled world
• Explains benefits of multitasking as well as how it limits our abilities to process information and make good decisions
• Addresses the connections between constantly being distracted and trying to multitask to the near crisis-level trend of unused vacation time in America and explains why this phenomenon hurts everyone

Local Community in the Era of Social Media Technologies

Local Community in the Era of Social Media Technologies by Hui-Lan Titangos. Chandos Publishing, 2013.

Social media technologies can help connect local communities to the wider world. Local Community in the Era of Social Media Technologies introduces the experience of bringing a local community to the world. This book, with the model of Santa Cruz County, California, develops a truly global approach to the subject. The first section of the book covers the early efforts of recording the local Santa Cruz area, before moving on to deal with Library 1.0. The next section looks at the present situation with Library 2.0 and its benefits. The book ends with a discussion of future directions and the implications of Library 3.0 and beyond.

Covers:

• Illustrates the potential for new developments through practical experience
• Goes beyond digitization technology to include: integrating database management; using library professionals’ unique research skills; conferencing and publications; and rejuvenating Library 1.0 applications
• Demonstrates how to effectively present local information to the world

Visit the publisher’s web page for the table of contents and more.

Librarian's Nitty-Gritty Guide to Content Marketing

The Librarian's Nitty-Gritty Guide to Content Marketing by Laura Solomon. ALA Editions, 2016. 978-0-8389-1432-8.

Publisher's Description

What is content marketing? Simply put, it’s the most effective way to increase your value to customers. When you deliver content that library users find useful and relevant, you give a compelling answer to their question, “What’s in it for me?” Author of the best-selling book The Librarian's Nitty-Gritty Guide to Social Media, Solomon speaks directly to public relations personnel, web librarians, and other staff responsible for the library's online presence. Filled with nuts-and-bolts advice on how to increase the library's value to its users, her guide:

• defines the essential characteristics of effective content marketing;
• explores methods of audience assessment;
• demonstrates how to optimize content for sharing;
• explains the elements of an editorial calendar for sustainable content, and shows how to create once and re-purpose many times;
• describes meaningful metrics for the library context;
• points out 5 common mistakes and how to avoid them;
• provides a template for creating personas; and
• includes first-hand accounts from library marketers.

Making content marketing concepts bite-sized and easily digestible, this guide shows libraries how to market effectively by focusing on what library users find useful and relevant.

More Information

See the publisher's website for Table of Contents and author information.

Marketing Moxie for Librarians

Marketing Moxie for Librarians: Fresh Ideas, Proven Techniques, and Innovative Approaches by Paula Watson-Lakamp. Libraries Unlimited, 2015. 978-1-61069-893-1.

Publisher's Description

Fun and easy to read, this marketing and promotion guide offers you the "big picture" of how best to spend your limited funds and energy to create a successful marketing strategy—from traditional promotions such as advertising and posters to social media marketing.

Robust, resilient, and flexible marketing is an absolute necessity for today's libraries. Fortunately, marketing can be fun. Through this savvy guide, you'll discover a wealth of fresh, actionable ideas and approaches that can be combined with tried-and-true marketing techniques to serve any library. Focusing on building platforms rather than chasing trends, the book offers low- and no-budget ideas for those in small libraries as well as information that can be used by libraries that have a staff of professionals.

The guide opens with an overview of the basics of marketing and continues through the numerous channels that should be incorporated into a modern-day marketing strategy mix. Branding, merchandising, and media relations are covered, as are social media, new technologies, fundraising, and advocacy. You'll also learn how to use tools such as data-driven information gathering and email segmentation to help your library compete and stay relevant. Perfect for beginners, the book will be equally useful to seasoned communicators who are looking for creative ideas, new techniques, and innovative approaches to boost the effectiveness of their existing marketing efforts.

Features

• Takes you through a step-by-step process of creating a marketing campaign that meets the needs of your patrons and your library
• Covers conventional marketing strategies such as print and broadcast media along with new social media venues
• Includes a guide to marketing plans and content calendars
• Offers chapter-by-chapter "Moxie Tips and Tricks" to help you get started and succeed in marketing your library
• Presents ways to bolster your creativity toolkit when the ideas just won't come

See the publisher's website for Table of Contents and author information.

Crash Course in Marketing for Libraries, 2nd ed.

Alman, Susan W. and Sara Gillespie Swanson. Crash Course in Marketing for Libraries.  2nd ed. Libraries Unlimited, 2014. ISBN: 978-1-61069-870-2

Description

This easy to use book explains effective marketing strategies and identifies the tools needed to boost the visibility and increase the use of your library in the community. Each chapter of this second edition has been updated and expanded, comprehensively addressing the planning, implementation, and evaluation stages of the marketing and public relations process in libraries. The rise of social media as a powerful marketing tool is discussed in particular detail.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Chapter 1: The Planning Process for Your Marketing Plan
Chapter 2: Develop a Marketing Plan
Chapter 3: Communicate to the Community: Using the Media, Newsletters, and Annual Reports to Market the Library
Chapter 4: Using Social Media to Market the Library
Chapter 5: Fund-Raising
Appendix A: Glossary
Appendix B: Boilerplate Example
Appendix C: Nominal Group Technique
Appendix D: John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Awards
Appendix E: Sample Marketing Plans
Appendix F: Sample Promotional Materials
Appendix G: Sample Annual Appeal
Appendix H: Sample Annual Reports
Appendix I: Sample Newsletters
Appendix J: Sample Friends of the Library Newsletters
Appendix K: Sample Press Release
Index

Start a Revolution: Stop Acting Like a Library

Bizzle, Ben (with Maria Flora). Start a Revolution: Stop Acting Like a Library. ALA Editions, 2015. ISBN: 978-0-8389-1267-6

Description
At the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library in Arkansas, Bizzle and his colleagues defied common practices by using creative risk-taking in marketing and outreach to transform their library into a dynamic institution that continues to grow and thrive. Here they recount their story, sharing techniques for success alongside a provocative marketing philosophy that will spur libraries to move beyond their comfort zone. Topics include the importance of branding, dynamic web sites and social media, stakeholder engagement, and marketing campaigns.

Table of Contents

Prelude: The Jonesboro Story

Chapter One: The Digital Library

Chapter Two: Going Mobile

Interlude: Crooked Valley Regional Library

Chapter Three: Facebook

Chapter Four: Facebook Advertising (or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Mark Zuckerberg)

Chapter Five: Marketing in the “Real World”

Chapter Six: Making Pretty Pictures

Chapter Seven: Convincing the Decision Makers

Chapter Eight: Start Your Own Revolution

Appendix A: Twitter, by Ned Potter

Appendix B: Pinterest, by Josh Tate

Appendix C: More Convincing the Decision Makers, by Carson Block

Metaliteracy: Reinventing Information Literacy to Empower Learners

Mackey, Thomas P. and Trudi E. Jacobson. Metaliteracy: Reinventing Information Literacy to Empower Learners. Neal-Schuman, 2014. ISBN: 978-1-55570-989-1

Description (from publisher's web site)
These well-respected experts on information literacy share their concept of metaliteracy, which expands the scope of traditional information skills (determine, access, locate, understand, produce, and use information) to include the collaborative production and sharing of information in participatory digital environments (collaborate, produce, and share) prevalent in today’s world. Combining theory and case studies, the authors

• Show why media literacy, visual literacy, digital literacy, and a host of other specific literacies are critical for informed citizens in the twenty-first century
• Offer a framework for engaging in today’s information environments as active, selfreflective, and critical contributors to these collaborative spaces
• Connect metaliteracy to such topics as metadata, the Semantic Web, metacognition, open education, distance learning, and digital storytelling

Table of Contents
A detailed table of contents is available on the publisher's web site.

Marketing with Social Media: a LITA Guide

Thomsett-Scott, Beth C. Marketing with Social Media: a LITA Guide. Chicago: ALA TechSource, 2014.  302.30285 Marke.  ISBN 978-1-55571-972-3

Eschewing mere theory in favor of real-world examples, editor Thomsett-Scott and her contributors offer to-the-point advice for getting up to speed with the world of social media. Ideal for newbies ready to get serious about marketing with social media, as well as practitioners on the lookout for ways to improve existing efforts, this LITA guide will save readers time and effort by providing basic information on the most popular and cutting-edge marketing technologies. With best practices for engaging library users across multiple platforms, this book:

• Draws from a range of experiences, with examples from different library types and sizes
• Includes case studies of successful social media efforts using Facebook, wikis, video-sharing sites, Pinterest, Google+, Foursquare, blogs, Twitter, and QR codes
• Offers tips for maintaining a steady flow of content, coordinating with colleagues, planning for sustainability, and using built-in analytics for evaluation
• Features numerous screen shots and illustrations
• Provides a resource list at the end of every chapter, allowing readers to dig deeper
• With the valuable information contained in this guide, libraries can reach their users and create connections that resonate with them.

Using Social Media in Libraries: Best Practices

Harmon, Charles and Michael Messina (eds.) Using Social Media in Libraries: Best Practices. Scarecrow Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-0-8108-8754-1

Description

Successful strategies for deploying meaningful social media library activities are covered in this book. The case studies provide practical advice from a range of library types.

Table of Contents

The Library in the Social Network: Twitter at the Vancouver Public Library by Kay Cahill, Vancouver Public Library, Vancouver, Canada Beyond the Teen Space: Reaching Teens through Social Media by Laura Horn, Farmington Public Libraries, Farmington, Connecticut Blogging for Readers by Robin Hastings, Missouri River Regional Library, Jefferson City, Missouri Successful Blogging Strategy & Design by Jason Paul Michel, Miami University Libraries, Oxford, Ohio  Navigating the Virtual Horizon: Finding Our Way Using Social Media in Hospital Libraries by Yongtao Lin and Kathryn M.E. Ranjit, Tom Baker Cancer Knowledge Centre, University of Calgary Libraries, Calgary, Canada Visualizing Information with Pinterest by Cynthia Dudenhoffer, Smiley Library, Central Methodist University, Fayette, Missouri The United Nations Library is Seriously Social by Angelinah C. Boniface, Dag Hammarskjöld Library, The United Nations, New York Social Catalogs: Implementing an Online Social Community as an Extension to Our Physical Libraries by Laurel Tarulli, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Librarian’s Nitty-Gritty Guide to Social Media

Solomon, Laura.  The Librarian’s Nitty-Gritty Guide to Social Media.  Chicago: ALA, 2013.  006.754 Solom     ISBN  978-0838911600

The vast array of social media options present a challenge to today's busy librarians: it's tough to keep current, let alone formulate a plan for using these tools effectively. Solomon, a librarian with extensive experience in web development, design, and technology, cuts to the chase with this invaluable guide to using social media in any kind of library. With a straightforward and pragmatic approach, she enlarges her best-selling ALA Editions Special Report on the topic and

•    Presents an overview of the social media world, providing context for services like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, and analyzes how adults and teens use of social media impacts the library

•  Offers advice on easy ways to use these tools on a daily basis, with planning strategies for posting and scheduling
•  Addresses the fine points of Facebook, comparing the various types of profiles and accounts
• Guides readers in the basics of crafting eye-catching status updates, and other social media best practices
• Shows how to manage and monitor accounts, including pointers on dealing with negative feedback

Including a bibliography of additional resources, Solomon's guide will empower libraries to use social media as a powerful tool for marketing, outreach, and advocacy.

Google This! Putting Google and other social media sites to work for your library

Google This! Putting Google and other social media sites to work for your library, by Terry Ballard. Oxford [England] : Chandos Pub., 2012

From ALA: Many libraries and museums have already adapted to the current information climate and work with Google, Facebook, Twitter and iTunes to deliver information to their users; however, many have not.  In this book librarians or museum professionals interested in developing a greater web and social media presence for their institution will find a wealth of material to justify these actions to directors and administrative boards. Ballard, an award-winning author with more than 20 years' experience as an academic systems librarian, has conducted more than two dozen interviews with professionals who have created exemplary work using social media, and shows how their experiences can create success for your institution’s library. His book:

• Describes the variety of free (or nearly free) options for social media and shows how libraries from the Library of Congress to small public libraries are adapting them
• Provides step-by-step instructions for creating iGoogle gadgets in XML, iGoogle themes, Google Maps with community locations, and Google Earth links to archived library data
• Describes the full process for creating a Google Custom Search engine

The result of more than two dozen interviews with professionals who have created exemplary work using social media, Ballard shows how their experiences can create success for your institution's library.