Building an Active
Online Community
Presented by:
Ligaya Ganster
Bridget Schumacher
University at Buffalo Libraries

"Facebook is a social
utility that connects you
with the people around
you".

It's not just a Fad!
• More than 250 MILLION active
users!
• 4th most trafficked Web site in the
world
• Over 55,000 regional, work-related,
high school, and collegiate networks
• 30 MILLION active users accessing
via a mobile device

Facebook Profile

Facebook Profile

Facebook Groups
• Admins can send
messages to group
members
• Can be closed to
certain members
only
• Ability to invite
members to events

Facebook Pages
• Visible to
audience outside
of Facebook
• Send updates to
Fans
• Add
applications to
enhance Page

Groups vs Pages

Anatomy of a
Facebook Page
Basic Features
• Information
• Notes
• Photos
• Fans

Anatomy of a
Facebook Page
Other Basic Features
• Wall
• Favorite Pages
• Video

Collaborate & Share!

Photo Album

Facebook Applications
Every month, more than 70% of FB members
use applications built on the Facebook platform

WorldCat ,
JSTOR, & CiteMe
applications

Applications Useful for
Librarians
• LibGuides Librarian
• MyFlickr
• Delicious
• weRead
• Slideshare
• CiteMe
• Bookshare

Custom UB Libraries
Application

Or get
someone
like him
to do
it….
http://vimeo.com/1812624

Creating a Page
http://facebook.com/

Admin View

Insights

Department of Media Study

Buffalo & Erie County
Public Library

UB Green

Center for the Arts

Why do you need a
Facebook Page when you
already have a website?

Importing Blog entries from UB
Libraries homepage
Buried Link

The old Student Support website

Notes
Application

Student Comments

“The new style of
marketing is characterized
by conversation and
community.”
-Society for New Communications Research, 2008

Marketing Ideas
• Listservs
• Student Associations
• Advertisements
• Signage/Flyers
• Facebook Badge
• Word of Mouth
• Twitter & Blogs

Pros
• Free marketing and • Collaboration made
outreach easy
• Outreach to • Conversations
international between users
community
• Consolidation of
• Outreach to key website areas
prospective students;
high school students

What Students are Saying…
"Wow, that is really
amazing this extension…
Here in Europe universities
are lacking of doing
innovative stuff like this...
I should really consider going
for that exchange program
with Buffalo my next
semester."
- International Student

Facebook & Int’l Markets
Facebook took over the global lead in social networking
sites in April 2008
Facebook had made "an effort to become more culturally
relevant in markets outside the US"
It's introduction to natural language interfaces in
several markets has helped propel the site to 153% growth
during the past year
-comSCORE, August 2008

Cons
• Find or become the • Monitor and constantly
person with the skills update the page
to create custom
application • Prepare and plan;
must have everything
• Network and stay ready before you
updated with Facebook publish the page
changes
• Create a marketing
campaign!

QUESTIONS ????

Further Questions?
Ligaya Ganster,
lganster@buffalo.edu
Bridget Schumacher,
bss4@buffalo.edu

Presentation available at:
http://www.slideshare.net/bschu1022