Think Outside the Book: Online Service as Outreach
March 28th, 2008 by Rick RocheThink Outside the Book seemed like two totally different presentations. I found the latter part, after a portion of the audience had disappeared, most addressed my library’s teen issues. (The presentation was in much too large a room anyway.)
Sarah Cofer, the Teen Librarian at Worthington Libraries, Ohio, told about how she and the other teen librarian have used a blogfusion blog to market the library to teens. Their colorful website is called Worthingteens and is worth a look. They promote books, announce programs, conduct polls, and point to cool websites.
A key point was that they increased the visibility of their website greatly by starting MySpace and FaceBook accounts, which they maintain mostly to attract viewers to their library site. They do use the popular social sites for some communications, as well. They have set up the sites so that an update on their website automatically updates the other sites.
Cofer also said that a Meebo widget showing when she was available to chat was much more effective than one showing that an unnamed person at the library was available to chat.
Cofer advised librarians trying to attract teens develop their websites slowly, in stage. Do not overwhelm the teens or burn out the librarians with many offering. Add features one at a time so they are noticed.
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