building strong digital libraries
DESCRIPTION
Powerpointo for a webinar for LANCR Ottawa Libraries, 4/19/2010.TRANSCRIPT
Building Strong Digital Libraries
Sarah Houghton-JanDigital Futures Manager, San Jose Public LibraryAuthor of LibrarianInBlack.net
times are tough
5 Things We Can Do Right Now
1) Find out user needs
2) Use free technologies to save money
3) Plan projects effectively
4) Assess projects thoughtfully
5) Market our services the right way
#1: Find out user needs
“Understanding local patron culture is essential to
creating used and useful technology services.” -
Char Booth
Taking the Ass out of
Assumption (Char Booth): slideshare.net/charbooth/local-user-research-taking-the-ass-
out-of-assumption
Taking the Ass out of Assumption (Char Booth): slideshare.net/charbooth/local-user-research-taking-the-ass-out-of-assumption
Listen to your users.
It really is as simple as that.
#2: Use the social web
The Social Web Reach out to users in their own space
Let them choose to come to you, to add you to this part of their lives
Ask your users what sites they use
Social Review Websites
CitySearch InsiderPages JudysBook Yelp Local2Me
Image from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aaronschmidt/217887378 7/#comment72157603674521448
LOVE, BABY, LOVE!
and then there are weird social networks…
Social Networking Guidelines
SJPL has a set of Social Media GuidelinesPersonal Social Media Participation
Site Set-Up, Management, and Profile Standards
Online Posting Guidelines for Users
Additional Posting Guidelines for Staff
General Social Media Best Practices
Notifications and Comments
Statistics and Publicity
Evaluating Additional New Technologies
+ specific guidelines for each site
Social Networking TipsFacebook, Twitter, Flickr, MySpace, Ning, etc.
Profiles vs. Pages
Broadcasts vs. Conversations
Best practices – who posts what when?
Setting Up a Social Network
Username Check: CheckUsernames.com
Usernames Claim/Log-In: Open ID and ClaimID
Maintaining a Social Network
Update Syncing: Ping.fm or Hellotxt.com, Facebook’s Twitter app (can’t sync pages!)
Multiple Account Management: Seesmic, HootSuite, other apps
Metrics for Social Networks
Social Network Monitoring: Filtrbox, MyBUZZmonitor, TwitterSearch
Stats: Twitter Analyzer, Twitter Counter, built-in Facebook page stats (weekly email)
Online Book Displays
Westmont Public Library
http://www.flickr.com/photos/westmontlibrary/549380055/
Location-Based Social Sites
Entries for libraries, trips, tips, contests
Historical walking tours (Wolf Walk)
#3: Plan projects effectively
Sarah's Awesome 10 Step Project Plans
1. Background2. Aims & Objectives3. Overall Approach4. Project Outputs5. Technology Requirements & Impact6. Training7. Project Management8. Marketing9. Budget10. Evaluation Plan
BaseCamp
Staff Training
Part of training is information.
Provide staff exposure at least 1 month before soft launch
Offer staff formal training in that time
- Play with it, touch it, and learn it.
- Fun. Rewards. Food.
- Types and numbers of trainings
Getting Staff Buy-In
Inform early and constantly.
Ask for & use input.
Demand consistent managerial support.
Soft Launches
Beta test everything!
1. Launch the new service for a small group of staff first (to find big bugs).
2. Launch for entire staff (and ask for feedback, problems, suggestions).
3. Launch for users (without “hard” promotion and ask for feedback).
4. Do a hard launch and promote.
#4: Assess projects thoughtfully
Evaluating New Services
Survey users and staff 6 months in: Would you recommend this service to a friend? Why or why not?
Evaluate the library's follow-through: Has adequate marketing and training been done?
Evaluate statistics: How much staff time is being used?How much is the service used?
Project Evaluation Plan
Results of Evaluation
Continue service
or
Discontinue service
or
Extend pilot
and - change aspects of the service - do more promotion or training
Discontinuing a service is not failing.
Persisting in a failed effort is failing.
#5: Market our services
thoughtfully
Marketing ≠ Bookmarks
Raising Awareness
PR in our physical presence
PR in our online presence
F2F World Marketing Ideas Open communication & discussion
in the library outside the library
Outreach to partners & community groups Word of mouth Dynamic physical marketing
LCD screens in-library or in the community Flyers, posters, geocaching in the
community
Online Marketing Ideas Have a good URL Updates & flyers on Facebook & Twitter Short promotions on receipt printers, email
alerts, newsletters, catalog, website banners Ensure search engine findability Events websites (Eventful, Going, Upcoming) Get links from partners Create spaces w/ tips/tours in location-sites
(Foursquare, Gowalla)
$10 = 5000 Facebook Flyers to targeted audiences
Facebook Flyer image by Steve Lawson: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuttlibrary/1546577200
Twitter ads next?
Rejoice in failures...for failing indicates that you
have encountered a boundary that needs testing.
Questions?
Sarah Houghton-Janweb: LibrarianInBlack.net
email: [email protected]
IM: LibrarianInBlack
Twitter: twitter.com/TheLiB
Skype: LibrarianInBlack
Facebook: facebook.com/librarianinblack