Week 5: Featured apps: Readers advisory tools: Shelfari, GoodReads, LibraryThing

Question of the week:  What kinds of social media apps do you think you might use in your library?  If you use some already, what ideas did you get for making better use of them?

I only use Facebook right now in the library.  I did learn that I really need to keep it up to date and post regularly.  It is very difficult for me to find time to do posts.  Also, this site and all the other social network sites are blocked on my desk computer because of being in the school.  I have to go to the public computer that is away from my desk.  It is very difficult when I am the only one in the library many days.  I don't feel that I will add any other social network site to the library right now because of this difficulty.   I do feel that I want to make a goal to stay up to date and post on Facebook regularly.  I did learn a lot about other sites from this class.  I had no knowledge of Instagram and I plan on "playing" around with that more in the future.  Thanks for all the good information. 

Week 4: Featured App - Instagram

Question of the week:

Find 2 libraries that are using Instgram in their marketing of plan.
1. Post their URLs for fellow students to see.
2. Give an example of what they are specifically using it for in their library.
 

The first library I found that is using Instagram was from the Los Angeles County Library.  

http://colapublib.org/  They are using it to promote programs that they are doing in the library. 

The second library was Queens Library.  http://www.queenslibrary.org/  Again they are using it to promote programs and their grand opening.  

I am not sure that I will use this to promote my library at this time.  I did not know much about Instagram and would like to spend more personal time on it before I incorporate it into the library. 

Week 3 Featured App: Youtube

Find a library video on YouTube that teaches you how to do something.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjaYsOJ5ljk&list=PLsyd3jCqROD2Trpt8JrQS6Ry_wEGo4JjS
This is a fun video that introduces libraries and Librarians to students.  It's titled "Ode to Librarians." It has a catchy rap song that gets stuck in your head.  The animation isn't the best, but I like how they show librarians as being superheroes. This is more for School Librarians and is a good video to use at the beginning of the school year. I plan on using it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Hk28DFxLbY
This is a series of "Kid's Snippets."  This one happens to be about going to the library.  They are adult actors with little kid voices.  This shows a misbehaving boy in the library.  It is a cute little video to remind kids of how to act in the library.  This is a fun way to bring up rules.

Week 2 Featured App: Pinterest

Library Institute Question of the week:
Find 2 library pinterest boards and tell us why you would use them at your library?

I love Pinterest and find it very addictive.  I introduced it to my very artistic/crafty daughter and now our house is full of Pinterest inspired projects!  I have even showed some of my older patrons how to use it.  They now are blaming me for their obsession.   I use it quite frequently when looking for ideas for my classes and the library. 

I used the following search for finding Summer Reading Ideas.  I have pinned many of these ideas on my own boards.  http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=Summer%20Reading%20program

I have also used this search for boards when looking for Library display and ideas and the last one I found some neat bulletin board ideas for Christmas.  

http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=library%20displays&rs=ac&len=7

http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=library%20bulletin%20boards%20for%20christmas&rs=ac&len=10

I even "copied" an idea for Christmas and made a "book tree" on my desk this year. People think I'm so creative, but I really am just a copycat.  Pinterest is great!