Dundee Library – Making Facebook Work

May 20, 2015 By SAL With no comments yet
By Margo Gustina, Member Services Consultant – Southern Tier Library System
Wednesday, May 12, 2015
WARNING: This Website Wednesday may contain news about the Member Library Directory that could be disturbing to some readers. 😉Before we launched the new website, there were two continuously maintained websites: one for the public and one for member libraries. While many of our efforts directly provide either fiscal or infrastructural support, our primary service base is our member libraries. This means that with the new website came the decision to have only one website (the better to maintain it, my dears!) but it would be awesome.

Here’s another decision that was made: we would no longer have library directory pages for libraries. Take a moment now to visithttp://www.stls.org/for-the-public/member-libraries. If you click the map or the name of a library, you are taken directly to the primary web presence of that library. You might notice that not infrequently this link takes you to a Facebook page.

So let’s get into what makes a good Facebook page, because if this is your primary web presence, it has to be informative and welcoming. I present you the Dundee Library Facebook page:

Rachel Knapton shared some Facebook insights with us:

How often do you post information on your FB?

I typically post after a photo opportunity with the kids (a particularly fun craft that they really enjoyed), or when I’m advertising for an event, like Family Movie Night. 

I notice a lot of photos. Is there a reason for that?

Photos get more traction on Facebook than posts. People see them and “like” them more.  It also shows how much fun we have at the library.

I see photos of kids that attend your events. Do you get permission from their parents?

I have written or verbal permission from all caregivers before posting photos. Most parents are fine as long as names aren’t included, and I only have one family that is adamant about leaving their kids out of pictures.

What is the best thing about using FB?

The access to a larger audience. I can send newsletters all day and post our calendars on our website, but quite frankly, my younger parents don’t really see them. On Facebook, I can share to my own page (where I am friends with a number of local young parents) to be doubly sure they see the event or picture.

I notice that you set it up as a page, not as a person. Why?

A page can be liked by anyone. A person or a group has to be requested. The easier you can make things, the more likely people are to get involved.
Tips for a great Facebook page
Every library Facebook page should include:
  •  
    • Hours
    • Contact info – phone, fax, email
    • Physical address and map (FB does that part for you)
    • IF you don’t have a separate website, put http://www.stls.org
    • Timely communication
    • Photos from library events, local happenings, and things in your library

Don’t include:

Want to learn more about using Social Media or WordPress to promote your library with one on one support? Register now for the upcoming full day ExCEL workshops: Social Media @ Dormann Library, June 3rd; Website Builder@ Dundee Library, June 9th. Need a scholarship to attend? Email Margo at gustinam@stls.org for an application. Seating at all ExCEL workshops is limited to allow for best one on one attention so register soon!
In appreciation of all you do,
Margo
Margo Gustina
Member Services Consultant – Southern Tier Library System
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