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Staying Relevant: Public Libraries Look to Social Media to Engage Teen Patrons Research Team 5 Sandra Findley, Lori Ross, Dawn Edelen and Greta Kliewer April 28, 2012. Overview and Background. Teens 12-17 in the KC Metro Area Social networking within the public libraries
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Staying Relevant: Public Libraries Look to Social Media to Engage Teen PatronsResearch Team 5Sandra Findley, Lori Ross, Dawn Edelen and Greta KliewerApril 28, 2012
Overview and Background • Teens 12-17 in the KC Metro Area • Social networking within the public libraries • Blogs, Wiki’s, Podcasts, RSS feeds, Twitter, social platforms (Facebook, Myspace Friendster), virtual games
Research Aim & Questions • Why aren’t teens using the library? • What kind of social media do libraries use? • How do libraries use this media to draw teens in? • How effective are these programs/technologies?
Research Paradigm • Mixed-methods questionnaire, with an emphasis on qualitative • Allows for spontaneous responses, but draws on strengths of qualitative and quantitative research • Qualitative • Inductive • Constructivism • Quantitative • Positivist • Easy to discuss and replicate results
Sampling • Mailed questionnaires that are chosen randomly. • A sample size between 500 and 1000 for this area. • There is an anticipation of non-response, and this is a large area. • There will also be advertisements via flyer to encourage participation via the online format. • This still follows the random selection sampling as we will distribute to many different areas around the metro.
Data Collection & Analysis • There are two ways offered for the questionnaire: paper or online. Only a questionnaire. • Interview or focus group would be better for a study about a particular library resource. • There will be a pilot study of 300 paper questionnaires to refine our questions. • The study will run from mid-April to mid-May, giving patrons enough time to respond. • Short and concise – we want the most response without much burden to the patronand is the least invasive. • Allows for parents to have more control if they want to allow their teen to participate or not. • Laptop incentivizes the response.
Ethical Considerations • Working with human participants; not yet legal adults • Transparency regarding research aims • Parental permission and authenticating signatures • Non-compulsory • Anonymity (Privacy)
Limitations • Multiple submissions by one person is a possibility. We hope to deter such action by limiting one entry per teen for the incentive. • Submissions blatantly identical will be discarded. • There is a possibility of forged parental consent. An email and a phone number to contact are requested for verification of consent. This also helps with the online format. • Partial/incomplete questionnaires will be removed from the incentive drawing, but not from the study.
Significance of Research • Benefits for libraries: • More patrons. • Adds value to the library. • Great way to reach out to and interact with patrons. • Ability to share valuable information through the internet. • Market the library at no cost. • Benefits for teens: • Ability to enjoy the benefits of the library from home. • Comfort level of communication. • Allows interaction with other teens • Gives teens a voice in the library
Questionnaire • What is the main social networking site you use? • a. Facebook b. MySpace c. Blogs d. Twitter e. Other • How do you mainly access your social networking? • a. Cell Phone b. Home Computer c. School Computer d. Library Computer e. Don’t use social media • How many hours a day do you use social networking? • a. Less than 1 hour b. 1 – 2 hours c. 3-4 hours. d. 5 – 6 hours. e. 7 – 8 hours f. 9 – 10 hoursg. More than 10 hours
Questionnaire Cont’d • Would classes at the library on social networking be something that you would go to? • Yes or No • If equipment that is used for social networking (computers with internet, cameras for video blogging, etc.) was available at the library, would you come into the library more often? • Yes or No • What would you like to see added to the library in a social media setting? • _______________________________________________
Conclusion • Libraries need to connect with teens • Encourages lifelong users.