Engaging with Social Media

Library marketing expert Nancy Dowd published an article in the May 2013 issue of Library Journal titled "Social media: Libraries are posting, but is anyone listening?" Dowd points out that although the majority of libraries use social media to disseminate information to their communities, many don't keep track of their efforts or claim success in getting followers to interact. With this in mind, libraries that want to create or revitalize their social media presence should consider devising a plan. This chapter will present highlights from a social media case study done at the Emily Carr University of Art and Design Library and through the experience of the study outline ways in which organizations can develop objectives for their social media usage, strategies to increase online presence and interaction with their community, and ways to assess their presence. As well, some innovative ways libraries use social media will be offered, with a focus on the visually rich field of art libraries.