Types of Social Media Being Used @ the Hot Springs Public Library

Before taking this Social Media Class, our library was not using any type of social media to promote and connect with the community.  Since then we have created a very successful FB page of which all staff has input, but only one member actually makes the posts.  We feel we have reached patrons we wouldn't have with our webpage.  We have also created a Pinterest page which all library staff has access to pin new ideas for summer reading, end caps, ideas for our book club etc.  We have introduced Good Reads and Shelfari to our some of our patrons to keep track of books they have read, would like to read, and ones they feel are personal favorites.  We are in the process of working with Instagram to help us post pictures to our FB account.  As for Twitter, we haven't found an application for the library as of yet.  We are always looking for new ideas to connect the library with the community at large.  This has been a great resource!

Libraries Using Instagram

http://instagram.com/uoregonlibraries#
It looks like this library has folks share interesting photos they have taken using Instagram.

http://web.stagram.com/n/queenslibrary/
Queen's Library has posted community events using Instagram.

http://www.lib.muohio.edu/instagram-contest/
Miami University's Library is using Instagram for a photo contest inside and outside the library.

YouTube for Libraries

Here is a great clip for how to take care of library books once they are checked out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD0o_1bsqsk

Pinterest for Libraries

http://www.pinterest.com/rachelnsmith/library-displays-programs/

http://www.pinterest.com/aahlvers/library-stuff-book-displays/

http://www.pinterest.com/smrld/library-wisdom/

I saved these three URL'S and would use Pinterest for the library in the following ways:
-book display activities
-story time activities
-teen program ideas, teen advisory direction, and teen after-school activities
-end cap displays
Actually the list is endless and we have started our own library Pinterest page.  Never having to reinvent the wheel again!
Edie

Facebook for Libraries

This past week I have been perusing library Facebook pages.  It has been a little addictive, as there is so much potential for reaching a multitude of audiences.  We here at the Hot Springs Public Library do not currently have a Facebook page.  All of us have been looking at different accounts.  I searched the Worthington Libraries, Marathon County Public Library, and the Livermore Public Library.  Much of what was on these pages we have on our website.  Only one problem exists in that many of our patrons aren't even aware of the existence of our website.  Plus much of what is done on our site is controlled by someone else.  What I noticed about FB is that it is current and very appealing to  a wide variety of patrons.  They aren't just about the library either.  Many community events were listed.  What a great connection to your community.  Here are just a few of the postings I observed to be beneficial for a library: directions, photos, book reviews, data base connection, new items, library activities such as movies, story time, computer classes, book display ideas, poetry posts, old photo posts, quotable quotes, you tube posts, authors birthdays.....the list of possibilities is endless....I am sold!  I did notice that some of the information was outdated and in order to be effective the page must be updated frequently.

Eddie's Space

Hi,
My name is Edie Hooper.  I am a third year library clerk at the Hot Springs Public Library.  We are eager to learn about social networking and how to successfully implement it here at our library.

useful websites

One of the sites we make use of here at the Hot Springs Public Library is http://www.abebooks.com/  We use this site when gathering information about old books that are donated.  Any books we feel might be of significant value, this site is very helpful for giving us direction in terms of selling. 

We also use http://www.infoplease.com/ for a online reference resource.  It includes a dictionary, thesuarus, encyclopedia, and many other facets which are useful to our student patrons.

Kids that are looking to reinforce math and reading skills, we recommend  http://www.funbrain.com/  This site is useful to a wide variety of ages. It includes both learning and fun!