Social media for creative libraries

“Social Media for Creative Libraries” is the second edition of the 2007 title “How to Use Web 2.0 in Your Library” from the well-regarded UK blogger, Internet and social media consultant, Phil Bradley. The author says the book:

[…] explains how librarians and information professionals can use online tools to communicate more effectively, teach people different skills and to market and promote their service faster, cheaper and more effectively (retrieved from www.philb.com/aboutme.html).

He chooses not to focus on a particular library type, preferring to consider common activities in libraries and social media tools available to perform them.

The book introduces social media, taking a broader concept of it than some might expect. Familiar sites (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) are discussed in context; but its strength is the coverage of a range of more focused and perhaps less familiar tools to enable common library and marketing functions such as: authority checking of content from social media sites and the potential of Google + to assist; guiding tools (use of home pages, Pearltrees, bookmarking packages and more); current awareness and SDI curating tools; presentation tools that enhance Powerpoint presentations and create a sense of aliveness; away from Powerpoint it summarises select software that bring video, animation and creativity to presentations.

Teaching and training tools are covered including use of screencasting, screencapture and Google + Hangouts and other interactive tools for educating for information literacy skills. The two chapters on marketing and promotion discuss planning (“why do you want a Twitter account”), practicalities and tools available to evaluate impact and reach of a library’s social media activity.

The last part of the book is somewhat different, a guide to developing social media policy to “protect the staff and the library”. It has an appendix that analyses some social media disasters and makes suggestion of how to react when things go awry. This section I like for LIS students or people working “in” libraries who are not necessarily library managers, not least because it suggests how to avoid social media trouble as an employee especially where one is in the process of developing a professional persona.

Overall, the book is about the potential of many online tools to enhance the user experience and online engagement. It is not a technical guide to the nominated online tools (given web-based instruction is readily available). The common attribute of each chapter is that many of these tools are free or nearly so. It is written in the first person, therefore could be perceived as somewhat self-promotional. However, it acknowledges alternate perspectives, highlighting areas of debate within the social media and library community. It is well-indexed, readable and, at 165 pages, not long. It is available as an e-book.

The sad thing about any publication that is fixed in its entity is that it dates quickly. Author Bradley acknowledges this. Each chapter is supported by a video hosted by Facet Publishing on its You Tube channel, with the suggestion that these will exist post-publication to provide updated information. His blog also maintains commentary on new tools and activity in the social media environment as they pertain to libraries.