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TECH SAVVY? USING TECHNOLOGY TO REACH OUR PATRONS!

TECH SAVVY? USING TECHNOLOGY TO REACH OUR PATRONS!. Julianne Brunet Adult Services Librarian St. Catharines Public Library jbrunet@stcatharines.library.on.ca David Bott Manager, IT & Networks St. Catharines Public Library dbott@stcatharines.library.on.ca. ST. CATHARINES.

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TECH SAVVY? USING TECHNOLOGY TO REACH OUR PATRONS!

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  1. TECH SAVVY?USING TECHNOLOGY TO REACH OUR PATRONS! Julianne Brunet Adult Services Librarian St. Catharines Public Library jbrunet@stcatharines.library.on.ca David Bott Manager, IT & Networks St. Catharines Public Library dbott@stcatharines.library.on.ca

  2. ST. CATHARINES Source: Statistics Canada. 2012. Focus on Geography Series, C2011 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 98-310-XWE2011004. Ottawa, Ontario. Analytical products, 2011 Census. Last updated October 24, 2012. Source: Demographics: St. Catharines The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines .Web. 29 December 2012. http://www.stcatharines.ca/en/investin/Demographics.asp Statistics Canada, 2011 Census Located in the heart of the Niagara Region Population: 131,400 (2011 Census Data)

  3. ST. CATHARINES CONTINUED… Source: “St. Catharines, Ontario.” Map. Google Maps. Google, 17 December, 2012. Web. 17 December 2012. Aging population A cultural, industrial, educational and telecommunications hub Large student population (Brock University)

  4. TECHNOLOGY TODAY In the last 5-10 years, we have seen tremendous advances in technology Emergence of Social Networking Smartphone technology Tablets Smaller, faster PC’s Text & video based chat Cloud computing GPS Wifi e-Readers

  5. HOW MANY OF OUR PATRONS FEEL ABOUT TECHNOLOGY Frustrated Unintelligent Disenfranchised Anxious Misunderstood Hesitant Helpless Alone

  6. WHILE OTHERS EMBRACE CHANGING TECHNOLOGY Many patrons (especially younger demographics) are very comfortable with emerging technologies A large percentage of our patrons expect information to be widely available and accessible online

  7. HOW DO WE SERVE BOTH? Two-pronged approach Libraries must be responsive to the needs of those who are struggling, while continuing to explore emergent technologies

  8. HOW SCPL IS RESPONDING We recognize the importance of investigating and implementing new technologies that make our Libraries accessible beyond our brick and mortar structures We have also made it a priority to assist and support those who are eager to enhance their knowledge of technology

  9. OUR INITIATIVES Social Networking - J. Brunet Computer Courses - J. Brunet Online Services - J. Brunet / d. bott Website technologies- D. Bott Gadget workshops - D. Bott

  10. SOCIAL NETWORKING Twitter Facebook

  11. FACEBOOK - LOOKING BACK TO JANUARY 2012… 278 Facebook Friends An average of 5-10 posts per month, consisting mostly of information taken directly from our Library newsletter Less than 20 “likes” each month Few “comments” and “shares” Account activated on January 16, 2010

  12. WHERE WE ARE TODAY Over 600 “friends” on Facebook 300-500“likes” / month 50+ “comments” / month 100 + “shares”/ month Average Reach: 5000-8000 patrons

  13. HOW DID WE GET THERE? Designating 1 staff person to find, create, share and post content Posting more often (2-3 posts / day) Adapting a more conversational voice and style Advertising our presence on Facebook through other promotional outlets (website, newsletter, word of mouth, etc…) Encouraging staff to contribute ideas, links and suggestions

  14. OUR APPROACH Hiding “vegetables” in the “dessert” Mixing “commercials” with the “content” AKA: Interspersing Library information with “fun” posts about Libraries, books and reading

  15. INTERNET MEMES "an idea, behavior or style that spreads from person to person within a culture” - Merriam Webster Dictionary

  16. MEMES CONTINUED…

  17. PROMOTING LIBRARY COLLECTIONS Facebook is an inexpensive yet highly effective way of promoting our physical and electronic collections to patrons Be creativeand avoid copying newsletter/calendar text verbatim

  18. LIBRARY COLLECTIONS CONTINUED…

  19. LIBRARY COLLECTIONS CONTINUED…

  20. PROMOTING LIBRARY PROGRAMS • Promote upcoming programs for children, teens, adults and seniors • Post craft samples • Post links to author websites • Post pictures of past programs • Include contact and registration information!

  21. PROGRAM PROMOTION CONTINUED…

  22. PROMOTING LIBRARIES, BOOKS & READING It is also important to remind the public of the value of Libraries, books and reading This type of content is non-threatening, entertaining and invites a positive response from patrons in the form of “friends”, “likes”, “comments” and/or “shares”

  23. LIBRARIES, BOOKS & READING CONTINUED…

  24. LIBRARIES, BOOKS & READING CONTINUED…

  25. QUOTATIONS Quotations are a great way to reinforce what the Library is all about Ensure that you credit the source Like “I Love Libraries” on Facebook Consult the GoodReads Quotes database: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/reading

  26. QUOTATIONS CONTINUED… Add pictures to content whenever possible Add context to a quotation to make it more meaningful Use “stock” photos, or graphics that you have created

  27. VIDEO CONTENT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3ZHPJT2Kp4 • Consider uploading video content from time to time • It is best if you can relate the video to your Library in some way • Search “Library” and related keywords on YouTube

  28. VIDEO CONTENT CONTINUED… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXVPX90XcsU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UciOCYuuAU

  29. ENGAGING YOUR FACEBOOK “FRIENDS” Consider asking open-ended questions to encourage user participation Incorporate contests and offer a prize reward In the text of the post, encourage users to “hit the like” or indicate that you would love to receive pictures or comments

  30. FINDING CONTENT TO SHARE “Like” the Facebook pages of other Libraries “Like” organizations in your community that have similar goals such as the local newspaper, television station, city, schools etc… “Like” authors that are popular at your Library

  31. FINDING CONTENT TO SHARE CONTINUED… Stay on top of Library news and trends with Google Alerts Populate content using information from your newsletter/calendar but avoid copying the text word-for-word Take pictures of displays, craft samples, bookshelves, found items in books etc… Keep track of “awareness” months (i.e. Heart Health Month), holidays, author birthdays etc… and use them as a means to promote your collections

  32. GET INSPIRED!GREAT FACEBOOK PAGES TO “LIKE” For Reading Addicts Books are Magic World Library Collective Luxury Bookshelf Back in the Day Books CNIB Goodwill Librarian Public Library Association Book Riot ABC Life Literacy Canada The Children’s Book Bank of Canada Friday Reads Canadian Literacy and Learning Network I Love Books Belcastro Agency Living to Read Fantasy Random House Canada Accessible Archives Browsing Bookshelves Librarians Without Borders We Need Libraries In the Know Ontario Library Association Federation of Ontario Public Libraries Burning Through Pages Ebook Friendly I Love Libraries Improbables Libraries Cheshire Public Library Middle-Continent Public Library

  33. WHAT DIDN’T WORK Posting messages too close together- leave several hours between status updates! Posting content in the evening Weekly trivia questions Lengthy book reviews / book lists and recommendations

  34. TWITTER - LOOKING BACK TO JANUARY 2012 240 followers Following less than 30 accounts Less than 15 tweets per month Very few retweets and no mentions Linked to our Facebook account so Facebook posts were automatically posted to Twitter

  35. WHERE WE ARE TODAY Nearly 1000 Twitter followers including local businesses, patrons, librarians, other Libraries, authors, presenters and schools Over 1250 tweets since January 2012 Posting 2-3 times per day, sometimes more Following over 1000 accounts, with similar goals and interests Significant increases in retweets, replies, favourites and mentions

  36. HOW TO INCREASE YOUR REACH Twitter etiquette (Follow those who follow you!) Follow local Libraries, community groups, social organizations, patrons and authors When you find an account that has a similar mandate to your Library, review their list of followers for potential connections

  37. TWEET OFTEN! • Experts recommend posting new content at least 6 times per day • However, don’t tweet simply for the sake of posting - Make it meaningful! • SCPL aims to tweet 2-3 times/day (sometimes more) and “retweets” book, Library, and reading related content to our followers • The more often you tweet, the better the chance that your followers will see your posts and join the conversation!

  38. WHEN SHOULD I TWEET? Trial and error Think about your audience and when they will be available to check for new tweets (ie: before work, breaks, after dinner, during their commute etc…) Consider posting between 2pm and 5pm. Experts claim that a tweet has the best chance of being read if posted in the afternoon

  39. WHAT SHOULD I “TWEET” ABOUT? Quotations Library Programs, Services & Collections New Materials Positive comments from patrons Book/Author Awards (ie: Giller Prize, Caldecott etc…) Links to pertinent news articles Links to relevant blog posts Local links and information that is important to your community

  40. QUOTATIONS

  41. LINKS TO NEWS ARTICLES AND BLOG POSTS

  42. PROGRAM INFORMATION

  43. LIBRARY COLLECTIONS

  44. LIBRARY SERVICES

  45. OTHER

  46. WHAT DIDN’T WORK Posting content originally written for Facebook (un-link your accounts!) Pictures Videos Polls Trivia Questions Hashtags #

  47. HOOTSUITE Social Media Management Tool Schedule posts days, weeks and months in advance Basic version is free Works with Facebook, Twitter, Google + etc…. A lifesaver for the busy Librarian who wears many hats!

  48. COMPUTER COURSES A great way to reach out to seniors and adults in our community Provides patrons with a comfort level with searching for electronic information Minimal Fee Patrons that attend often borrow Library materials Taught by a team of full-time Library staff members

  49. COMPUTER COURSE OFFERINGS Basic Computers Courses (2) Basic Internet Courses (3) Social Networking (Facebook, Twitter) Email Basics MS Word 2010 Job and Career Searching Catalogue Searching Genealogy Overdrive Basics & e-Book Clinics

  50. COMPUTER COURSES CONTINUED… But…this wasn’t enough! Patrons were looking for help with issues that could not be covered in a classroom setting (ie: how to move pictures from a camera to Facebook, tablets, cell phones, spreadsheets, how to post an ad on kijiji etc…)

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