The document discusses how libraries can reach patrons who do not use social media. It notes that 33% of online adults do not use social networking sites. The document advises libraries to respect people's decisions not to use social media and to promote programs through various alternative methods, including print flyers, local newspapers, radio, and the library website rather than solely relying on social media outreach.

1. Out of Network: How to Reach Library
Patrons Who Don't Use Social Media
Webtreats, Flickr.com, CC-BY

2. Amber Gray
Ellen Gustafson Grace Allbaugh
you can download today's slides at
[Ellen will upload to SlideShare and post link]

3. social media icons from Somacro, veodesign.com, CC-BY-SA
Please use your *magic wand*
to select the social media site
you use the most.
none
other

4. According to the
Pew Internet Study on Social Networking...
67% of internet users are also
users of social networking sites
Thus, 33% of
online adults
do not use
social media

5. How do we serve users
who want to be
part of the library community
without
joining social media sites?

6. Why don't people use
social media sites?
"She's My Diamond," Thomas Hawk, Flickr.com, CC-BY-NC

7. Why don't people use
social media sites?
they don't they don't
know how want to
... but don't assume you can tell the difference between these two groups!

8. Why don't people use
social media sites?
● They were never
exposed to information
they don't about how social media
works.
know how ● They don't know why
one might want to use
them.
● They are embarrassed to
ask about something it
seems everyone knows.

9. Why don't people use
social media sites?
● They are concerned
about their privacy.
● They want to they don't
maintain their
connections offline.
● They do not want to
want to
be part of a global
popularity contest.

10. "Left Out," charamelody, Flickr.com, CC-BY-NC

11. What Can Libraries Do to Help?
"The Kids Are Ready for the Puppet Show to Begin," plymouthdistrictlibrary, Flickr, CC BY-NC 2.0

12. Respect people's decisions
Too often, people who explain that they
do not use social media are pushed into it
or pushed toward "getting over" their
reluctance.

13. Respect people's decisions
Listen to what the
patron is telling
you. Respect
people's decisions
not to use these
sites and proceed
from that point.
"Chat," plymouthdistrictlibrary, Flickr, CC BY-NC
2.0

14. Respect people's decisions
Do not try to change their minds.
Remember, it is our job to "distinguish
between our personal convictions and
professional duties" (ALA Code of Ethics,
article VI).

15. Respect people's decisions
Not being a social media user does not
mean that a person is incapable of using
a computer or the internet.

16. Respect people's decisions
Not being a social media user also does
not mean the person is stupid. Respect
the user and "provide courteous
responses to all requests" (ALA Code of
Ethics, article I).

17. Disclaimer:
Social media are great!
● Social media are
useful tools and can
definitely be avenues
to promote library
events and services.
● All we're saying is,
don't rely solely on
"Computer", plymouthdistrictlibrary, Flickr, CC BY-NC 2.0
them.

18. Think about your audience
● What is the audience you are trying to
reach with your promotion?
● For some audiences, social media will be
the right forum. For others, it won't be.

19. Think about your audience
We want to
"provide the
highest level of
services to all
library users" (ALA
Code of Ethics,
article 1), no matter
what tools we use
to reach them.
"Pippin Puppets at the Library! Meet 'the Headmaster',"
plymouthdistrictlibrary, Flickr, CC BY-NC 2.0

20. Don't promote your library only
through social media
If you are only promoting your library
through social media, you're not reaching
patrons who don't use them.

21. Don't promote your library only
through social media
In addition, children
under the age of 13
are technically not
permitted to have
accounts on social
media sites, so you
aren't reaching
them either.
"Smiling little readers!," plymouthdistrictlibrary,
Flickr, CC BY-NC 2.0

22. Alternative methods of library
program promotion
Have your own website that doesn't
require/use a login through a different
social media site.

23. A good example: Ann Arbor District Library's website: aadl.org
● Prominently features events on front page of website
● Includes links to events, organized by library branch, age
group, event category and library series
Images come
from AADL
website.
4/14/2013

24. Alternative methods of library
program promotion
Post promotional
materials in pertinent
places within the library
space.
● Put information about
children's programming
in the children's room
● Post Upcoming Events
in the front of the
library
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dreamsjung/3923524134/lightbox/

25. A good example of well placed promotional
material: University of Michigan Library's, "Is that
the library in your pocket?" campaign
http://commblog.lib.umich.edu/2011/02/23/is-that-the-library-in-your-pocket/

26. Alternative methods of library
program promotion
Alternative online presence: listservs or
email chains rather than social media
networks perhaps. This makes it more
personal and they are more in control.

27. AADL as an example:
● The staff posts events in a blog attached to the
AADL website. This way, patrons can set up their
own RSS feed and get alerts
● This is a compromise for people who have an
online presence, but choose to avoid social
media sites
aadl.org 4/14/2013

28. Alternative methods of library
program promotion
Do not be afraid to promote outside the
library. Sometimes traditional methods of
promotion still work best.
○ Work with local newspapers print or
online
○ Put up flyers in public areas like coffee
shops
○ Collaborate with other organizations
○ Word of mouth always works. Talk to
library patrons

29. Geek The
Library
Campaign
geekthelibrary.org

30. Examples of Programming
Without Social Media
● Letters/Cooperation with Popular Company/Coupons
○ Hogan, Jan. "Library promotion aimed at kids," Las Vegas Review 25 October 2010. http:
//search.proquest.com.proxy.lib.umich.edu/docview/260147164?accountid=14667.
● Fortune Cookies at University Events (second half of the article)
○ Jennings, Eric and Kathryn Tvaruzka. "Quick and Dirty Library Promotions that really
Work." Journal of Library Innovation 1, no. 2 (2010): 6-14. http://search.proquest.com.
proxy.lib.umich.edu/docview/865644166?accountid=14667.
● Billboards and Posters in Public Spaces
○ Bizzle, Benjamin, "A Philosophy of Bold Promotion in Arkansas." Information Today, Inc.
2012. http://www.infotoday.com/mls/sep12/Bizzle--How-To--A-Philosophy-of-Bold-
Promotion-in-Arkansas.shtml
● Radio Interviews/advertising
○ Humphrey, Megan, "New Radio Campaign Bridges 'Opportunity Gap' for Latinos by
Promoting Library Use." American Library Association. 2008. http://www.ala.
org/news/news/pressreleases2008/october2008/campaignunivision
● A General List of Examples (some need small adaptations):
○ http://www.lrs.org/documents/field_stats/promoting_library_sponsored_events.pdf
○ http://www.ala.org/alsc/issuesadv/kidscampaign/signup

31. Sources Cited
● Pew Study - Demographics of Social Media Users
○ http://pewinternet.org/~/media/Files/Reports/2013/PIP_SocialMediaUsers.pdf
● ALA Code of Ethics
○ http://www.ala.org/advocacy/proethics/codeofethics/codeethics
Additional Resources
● Whose Space? Differences Among Users and Non-Users of Social Network Sites
○ https://umdrive.memphis.edu/cbrown14/public/Social%20Media/Hargittai%
202007.pdf
● On Social Media and Children Under 13.
○ http://www.thedigitalshift.com/2012/11/social-media/kids-online-report-young-
childrens-social-networking-habits-harder-to-track-than-teens/
● The World Would Be Better Off Without Social Networking
○ http://othstoday.com/the-world-would-be-better-off-without-social-networks/
● The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents and Families
○ http://pediatrics.aappublications.org.proxy.lib.umich.edu/content/127/4/800
● Geek the Library Promotional Campaign
○ www.geekthelibrary.org

32. Questions?

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