Getting Social at Vancouver Public Library

Getting Social at VPL Cecily Walker, Web Services Librarian Online Information & News

What is social media?

Social media is a social trend in which people use technologies to get the things they need from each other instead of from organizations.

Why do we use it?

40% of Canadian social media users use it to communicate with organizations “ Social Media Reality Check”, CNW Group & Leger Marketing, 2009

63% of Canadian social media practitioners use it to gather media and information. “ Social Media Reality Check”, CNW Group & Leger Marketing, 2009

Two-thirds of the world’s Internet population visit social networking sites Nielsen Wire, 9 March 2009

Because people are already talking about us and we aren’t in control of the conversation.

“ I am proud and delighted I am now the owner of a Vancouver Public Library Card. I’m a happy camper…”

Raul Pacheco, Ph.D.

http://www.hummingbird604.com

Photo courtesy of Rebecca Bollwitt, http://www.miss604.com

“ Firstly - why would you want you want to use Amazon to search the VPL? Two reasons: First, it is WAY easier to find books on the Amazon site then the library site, so you can leverage Amazon's search engine to find books (or book recommendations) at the VPL. Second, it's a great way to keep the book budget in check!” David Eaves http://www.eaves.ca

“ It's a library. We can't understand why they're quite happy to have our book in their library but we're not allowed to talk about it.” Dr. Philip Nitschke

People around the world contribute photos of the Central Branch to flickr … including one photographer from New South Wales.

Does this building look familiar?

“ This movement can’t be tamed. It comes from a thousand sources and washes over traditional business like a flood. And like a flood, it can’t be stopped in any one place. Often it can’t be stopped at all.” Charlene Li and Josh Bernoff Groundswell: Winning In A World Transformed by Social Technologies

You can’t stop it… From flickr user sethw

But you can understand it. From flickr user gak

But how?

Understand the technology

Be aware of information flows From flickr user Pliketi Plok

Create explicit – but flexible - policy guidelines

Experiment. Learn. Grow.

Photos from flickr (Creative Commons licensed works only)

And from iStockphoto.com