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Continuing the Conversation: Facebook in the Library

Submitted by Daniel A. Freeman on November 2, 2011 - 2:35pm

We just wrapped up David Lee King’s ALA TechSource  Workshop Facebook in the Library: Enhancing Services and Engaging Users. We had some great discussion during the event--here are some more questions to discuss. Whether you attended or not, feel free to join the conversation!

Questions from Today’s Event:

  • What are key issues for deciding whether a library should have multiple Facebook pages, that is for different audiences, like children and families, or branches?
  • Do you need to reach a certain level of followers or fans before Event pages make sense?
  • What are your thoughts on offering reference service through Facebook?

The Preliminary Readings from Today’s Event:

Today’s Slides:
Facebook in the Library: Enhancing Services and Engaging Users


Comments (7)

I would also like to know how

I would also like to know how to do this. It seems I am unable to comment as myself on our Friends of the Library page only as an admisnistrator. This was set up by another individual so I'm still learning. Thanks!

Jennifer answered the how to

Jennifer answered the how to part... For the other part - yes, you have to have a personal Facebook profile that has been made an admin of your Facebook Page first. Hope this helps!

Answers to the questions in

Answers to the questions in the post ...

Q: What are key issues for deciding whether a library should have multiple Facebook pages, that is for different audiences, like children and families, or branches?

A: The main thing that needs to be figured out here is this - are the audiences (or potential audiences) different? For us, they were - our main Facebook Page serves the community in general. Our Art Gallery's Page serves art lovers. That group does Topeka's Friday Art Walk tours, and visits other art galleries in town … not necessarily library users. And our Teen Page has a niche audience (teens). So look for those unique yet active groups, then separate them out if you find yourself posting library stuff AND art gallery stuff, for instance.

Q: Do you need to reach a certain level of followers or fans before Event pages make sense?

A: It makes more sense on an active Facebook Page. That doesn't necessarily mean a certain amount of fans - you can have an active page with 20 followers (if they all regularly participate).

Q: What are your thoughts on offering reference service through Facebook?

A: That could be cool! And easy to do, too. You have a variety of options here, including: private chat, private messaging, and comments on your stories/status updates. Any of these work fine. The obvious thing to watch for with the comment thing is privacy - you just need to know when the question/answer needs to be taken to a less public forum. And you will also need to make sure someone is regularly watching Facebook for comments if you offer reference services via Facebook.

I'm looking for examples of

I'm looking for examples of academic libraries that have active and engaging Facebook pages. Does anyone have suggestions?

Go to the profile page for

Go to the profile page for your library. In the second box on the right hand side, you will see "use facebook as (name of library page)". Click on that & you will now be able to post as the library. When you are through, go back to the same spot & it will now say "use facebook as (your name".

Here's a question that came

Here's a question that came up during David's presentation yesterday:
He said (at minute 24:02) that changes to fb pages include the ability to "comment as yourself OR as your organization - there's a little toggle switch on a facebook page" and this means that a page can friend another page. Where can I find this toggle switch? Does there have to be some kind of link between my personal profile and my library page or ? Hope someone can answer this!

Here's a question that came

Here's a question that came up during David's presentation yesterday:
He said (at minute 24:02) that changes to fb pages include the ability to "comment as yourself OR as your organization - there's a little toggle switch on a facebook page" and this means that a page can friend another page. Where can I find this toggle switch? Does there have to be some kind of link between my personal profile and my library page or ? Hope someone can answer this!
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