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| Reader’s advisory serviceMarketing – promoting service, collections, events and programsCommunication | Marketing – events, services and programsPromoting joy of reading | Reader’s advisory serviceReference serviceMarketing – promoting service, collections, events and programsCommunication |
Three libraries using social networking to support information service provision are tabled above with the how they appear to be using social networking based on my observation of their online presence.
There are many reasons why libraries should be on social media, some reasons are given below together with examples from the three libraries illustrating their use:-
- Connect with people in the places in the sites of their choice (Cahill, 2011)
- Enable better communication – can include internally communication too
- For example: Advise library members when there are disruptions to library services. Boroondara blog explains limited services available when impending library upgrade takes place, also storm which impacted services.
- Marketing tools
- Promote library resources
- Glenelg promoting use of digital library resources (Facebook) – ask us how, member asks for instructions
- Boroondara Bookends blog promotes Bolinda eAudio books with instructions
- Promote library events & programs
- Frankston library author’s talk
- Frankston Family History Club, meeting fortnightly to discover family history, for learning in a social environment
- Promote library resources
- Provide low cost way of getting library message out
- Glenelg promoting reading to small children to aid development
- Respond to feedback, listen to users so you can serve them better (Burkhardt, 2009)
- Twitter comments from library users
- Extend library services beyond physical library
- Frankston provide reference services using chat
- Reach a wider audience
References
Burkhardt, A. (2009). Four reasons why libraries should be on social media. Retrieved December 11, 2011, from http://andyburkhardt.com/2009/08/25/four-reasons-libraries-should-be-on-social-media/
Cahill, K. (2011). Going social at Vancouver Public Library: what the virtual branch did next. Program: Electronic Library & Information Systems, 45(3), 259-278.
