Reasons why Libraries should be on Social Media

Created by Me using Wordle

National Library of Australia 
http://www.nla.gov.au/social-media
The NLA could sit in its lofty position in Canberra, focussing on its collection, but staff have chosen to use Social Media to engage the country in the collection. New
acquisitions, events, exhibitions are all advertised on Facebook and Twitter, and then many are broadcast using YouTube or Podcasts. Blogs add a behind the scenes look at the activities and functions of the library. Social Media enables all Australians to be part of the experience, no matter where they are in Australia.


State Library of Queensland 
http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/whats-on/news/social
The SLQ uses Facebook, Twitter and an extensive list of web feeds to keep clients informed of services, exhibitions, talks, events and acquisitions. Talks are podcast so that clients can experience events without having to attend. Like the NLA, the SLQ uses Social Media effectively, pushing its services out rather than hoarding the collection in a building.


Charles Sturt University Library
http://www.csu.edu.au/division/library/
CSU Library connects with its clients by Tweeting regularly, thus promoting services
and additions to the collection. Podcasts and online library tutorials assist clients, especially distance education students who are unable to visit the physical library. It is interesting to note that since the blogs do not appear to have generated any comments they act more as an advertising tool rather than a collaborative tool.


Why your library should engage with Social Media

• A proportion of your client base may never actually visit the physical space
• Using Social Media such as YouTube or podcasting is an inclusive practice - no client is left out of events due to an inability to attend
• Social Media gives clients a platform to comment on services
• Social Media, used correctly engages your audience and gives them a sense of belonging to "the club" and a sense of ownership
• Social Media allows you to "push out" information - thus elevating the library's position in the information chain
• Regular posts in social media is reminds clients of your presence as well as the services you offer

RSS Feeds

RSS Feeds, or Really Simple Syndication are an excellent way for libraries to keep their clients abreast of the latest news and events.  


One of the most fascinating uses of RSS Feeds in my experience is via the Parliamentary Library in Canberra.  Naturally it is of vital importance that parliamentary members and their staff are kept completely up to date with every piece of news, reports, new legislation, bills etc regarding their portfolio.  Using RSS Feeds, clients of the library can subscribe to relevant feeds.  The reader will create a list (continually updated) of headlines, with a short summary, thus reducing the time spent finding resources.  This library service would be an invaluable tool for members - saving them time, offering the very latest and most accurate of information, and without the trouble of trawling through vast amounts of information.  I can imagine that fast access would have saved embarrassment many times.  The service for this library would not be used for the mere fascination - it would be used to enable members to carry out their duties effectively - in other words, a tool of trade.


A completely different application for RSS Feeds has been adopted by the Cairns Libraries: the public library service in Cairns, North Queensland.  Clients can choose to track their library accounts via an RSS Feed by setting up an account with "Library Elf" and then choosing the option of RSS Feed as the notification tool.  Clients can be reminded of due dates or be alerted to reserved items which have become available.


There are some drawbacks with this service.  Library Elf is run by an independent company and therefore is not fully integrated with the Cairns Library Library Management System (LMS).  The sign-up page for Library Elf includes a disclaimer regarding it's ability to retrieve information from Cairns Library.  The other issue is that with web-based RSS services, notices may be viewed by the general public.


Both these issues may impact on how well-adopted this service is, but nevertheless, it serves as an interesting variant on the application of RSS Feeds.


Cairns Libraries (2011). Library Elf. Retrieved July 31, 2011 from http://www.cairnslibrary.com.au/pages/LibraryElf.html


Parliament of Australia (2011) RSS Feeds. Retrieved August 19, 2011 from http://www.aph.gov.au/rss.htm