We have been asked to discuss how we might use social media in our libraries. We are on facebook, but I think we could utilize it more. I understand that our library should have a social media policy. I will share the information I gained with my Director and board. Twitter is a medium I plan to research more. We even had a patron who thought we should go for it. He said he thought quite a few people would follow us. As for Instagram, I am not sure. I will need to do more research. I am not sure it would be worth the time. I follow Pinterest to get ideas for our library. I rarely have an original idea so I don't know if the library wants to have a board for people to follow...another thing to discuss with the staff. Youtube has gotten so big. It would be fun to have some things on there but, again, I think it would need to be something unique or people might not wade through all the options to find our video. Shelfari is definitely a website I am going to do more with. I really like goodreads and have had some good luck winning some books that I read, review and donate to my library. Shelfari is colorful and fun. I plan to investigate that further. Thank you for this class and helping us get our feet wet in some areas that we haven't experienced yet. I look forward to Institute in June and to further RACE webinars in the future. MERRY CHRISTMAS! -RHONDA

With Anne's help I found a couple of libraries using instagram by going through FB. Carroll County Public uses this medium for showing pics of library events. Also, Rapid City Public has many book displays and other library displays photographed.

after class I went to you tube and searched library how to. Paged through a few but liked http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rO7RHoGR7hg neat how to for kids to find books - done by kids!

Week 2

www.pinterest.com.ninahtaylor/library-display-ideas/ This is a board I will use for ideas for making book displays for the YA. www.pinterest.com/lauraladd/laura-ladd-photography/ this is a great board for Dr. Seuss Birthday Party ideas.

Watched the first class today.  I went to facebook and typed in library to see what I would get.  When I opened NYPL, I noticed they use FB to announce and event, promote their other social media sites and promote books and reading in general.

I viewed the Cincinnati library FB page.  In addition to the above, they were asking patrons to share heartwarming library stories.  They also posted tidbits (trivia) to encourage circulation of certain books.

Cozard was promoting events at the library and in the community.  Custer showed new arrivals.  Sully listed library closures, requests for purchases and request for items they utilize in the library. 

We usually use FB to promote library activities and events.  I liked seeing the libraries that promoted ebooks.  We need to look into getting those links on our FB page as well.
Rhonda

I am utilizing the blog I set up for a previous class.  This is my fourth year of institute.  I am excited about learning more about social media and how I can use it in my work.

WEBSITES: I learned about the search engine http://www.duckduckgo.com/.  This search engine doesn't "profile" you.  It gives hits to sites you may not get to right away with google etc. which tend to direct you based on other sites you have visited.
I also like to use www.kidsblogs.nationalgeographic.com/dogeared.  I like to see what other kids have written about books they have read.  Periodically we put together a display of the books they have read, print out the remarks and put them with the books.
I use http://www.dltk-kids.com/ and http://www.preschooleducation.com/ for the preschool story time group.  I find craft ideas to add to stories.  Also try http://www.mothergooseprograms.org/.