The Librarian's Nitty-Gritty Guide to Social Media - Softcover

The vast array of social media options present a challenge to today's busy librarians: it's tough to keep current, let alone formulate a plan for using these tools effectively. Solomon, a librarian with extensive experience in web development, design, and technology, cuts to the chase with this invaluable guide to using social media in any kind of library. With a straightforward and pragmatic approach, she enlarges her best-selling ALA Editions Special Report on the topic and Presents an overview of the social media world, providing context for services like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, and analyses how adults' and teens' use of social media impacts the library Offers advice on easy ways to use these tools on a daily basis, with planning strategies for posting and scheduling Addresses the fine points of Facebook, comparing the various types of profiles and accounts Guides readers in the basics of crafting eye-catching status updates, and other social media best practices Shows how to manage and monitor accounts, including pointers on dealing with negative feedback Including a bibliography of additional resources, Solomon's guide will empower libraries to use social media as a powerful tool for marketing, outreach, and advocacy.

Laura Solomon is library services manager for the Ohio Public Information Network and former web applications supervisor for the Cleveland Public Library. She has been doing web development and design and conducting classes in public libraries and as an independent consultant for more than a decade. In 2009, the Ohio Library Council recognised her for her role in saving more than $147 million of public library funding by utilizing her expertise in social media tools. She was tapped as one of Library Journal's "Movers and Shakers" for 2010. She earned her MLS from Kent State and was awarded her MCIW (Master Certified Internet Webmaster) in 2004. Visit her blog at www.meanlaura.com.