How Facebook Can Help Market Your Library
According to Facebook statistics, more than 800 million users have an active account. Facebook has taken social media interaction to a new level of communication. It provides an outlet to market your library for FREE, interact with your patrons or students, and share valuable information. Below, I will share why creating a page will help your library, the benefits, and what steps to take next.
If you don’t have a library page set up in Facebook yet, take into consideration all the benefits you can receive from having a library page.
- Library patrons can “like” your page, allowing them to follow the library and receive any updates that you post.
- Every time someone “likes” your page, all their friends see that they “like” your library. This leads to easy promotion that attracts other followers to your library Page.
- Your Facebook library page will allow you to share information like hours, programs, special events, online resources, and updates. You can also post photos, videos, and applications (like searching the library catalog).
- Anything you post on your library page is then sent into the “feeds” of your followers so they can always catch an update.
Here are some great perks of having a Library Facebook page.
- You can share information for free. This is a good way to market the library at NO COST!
- Patrons can communicate with each other through the library page, share thoughts about a book, or a master gardening class.
- Customer Service – you can answer Patron questions and promote library events, get feedback on classes, or promote local authors and community events.
- Get Feedback: ask patrons what they are reading or what authors they like (the more discussion, the more interaction, the better the results)!
If you have a library page and you are looking to reinvigorate your pages activity, think about a few of these ideas.
- Add a Social Media button to your website and blog. https://developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins/
- If you have a mailing list, send out an announcement to “like” your Facebook page.
- Add a Facebook link to your email signature (easy promotion every time you send an email).
- Link your blog or twitter account to your Facebook page (this is an easy way to share information in multiple locations).
- Post on your Facebook page “Help Us Get to 200 Likes” Set the goal to a higher number than what you have. Current members will share with friends, family, and businesses.
- Post pictures from classes in the library or reading club. Make sure to tag and share them, with the patrons permission, then their friends who don’t know about your page will “Like” your page.
- Place a link to your Facebook page on your other social media sites.
- Add a “welcome” or landing page for new users.
Take a look at some of these pages. It will help you get an idea of what Facebook can do for your library!
Hernando County Public Library You can search the online catalog and join their mailing list.
New College of Florida Jane Bancroft Cook Library You can access the Ask a Librarian service right through their Facebook page, easy access for the students.
Pasco County Library System Check out the special app they have for Hours and Locations.
Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System Check out their use of photo albums for Florida Library Snapshot Day and the Hispanic Heritage Contest, fans love to see photos especially of things they have participated in.