This document discusses how public libraries can use Tumblr to engage new audiences, especially young adults. It provides tips for getting started with a library Tumblr account, including choosing a theme, describing the library's mission, using consistent branding, and gaining administrative support. The document also offers strategies for using Tumblr for readers' advisory services like book lists, reviews, and discussions. Additionally, it profiles several notable public library Tumblrs and suggests ways libraries can promote local content and events.

1. for public libraries
Molly Wetta for ALA TechSource
#tumblr4publib

2. Molly Wetta
Collection Development Librarian (and official tumblarian)
Lawrence (Kansas) Public Library
lawrencepubliclibrary.tumblr.com
personal tumblr: mollymwetta.tumblr.com
readers’ advisory tumblr: findyournextbook.tumblr.com
twitter: @molly_wetta
mollymwetta@gmail.com

3. Agenda
● Getting Started
● General Tips
● Building Community
● Readers’ Advisory on Tumblr
● Notable Public Library Tumblrs
● Beyond Readers’ Advisory

4. What is tumblr?
the boring answer:
a microblogging platform and social media
site that supports multimedia content.
“the best baby twitter and wordpress didn’t
know they had”
But what is tumblr *really*?

5. tumblr is...
#CAT GIFS

6. tumblr is...
#BOOKS
#READING
#LIBRARIES

7. tumblr is...
#FANDOM

8. tumblr is...
CONVERSATION
#YALIT
#booklr

9. tumblr is...
YOUR COMMUNITY
#LFK
#LAWRENCE KS

10. Why should libraries use tumblr?
● vibrant bookish + library
community
● reach new audience
○ the young folks (18-34)
○ heavy internet users
● users spend longer per visit
than other social media
(http://mashable.com/2013/04/17/users-stay-longer-on-tumblr-than-facebook/)

11. Getting Started
● theme
pick a clean design
navigation + index
● description
specify location + mission
● website/logo
consistent branding across platforms
● URL
if possible, keep handle consistent with other social media accounts

12. Administration Buy-In
● explain your goals
● have a plan
● have a schedule (how much time will you
devote to it?)
● show positive examples of library tumblrs

13. Goals
● engagement + interaction
● quality content that supports strategic goals
● extension, not duplication, of services

14. Measures
What does success look like?
● posting consistently
● strong local following
● reblogs from high profile accounts
● YOU DECIDE
How to get numbers
● Google analytics
● native analytics

15. Assemble Your Team
● recruit experienced tumblr
users (even if they’re not
on web/social teams)
● have a clear leader
responsible for voice and
schedule
● mix of front-line staff and
those who work behind-
the-scenes
● coordinate with staff
managing other platforms

16. Copyright and Ethics
● fair use
● reblog with attribution + preserve notes
● takedown notices

17. Copyright and Ethics
Bobby Finger, one of 27 curators of the tumblr #gif tag:
“Unattributed sharing doesn’t irritate me at all. I think part of
the unspoken agreement you have when uploading a GIF
anywhere on the Internet is that it’s no longer yours — it’s
part of the great big community pool we all visit when
wanting to express how we’re feeling in the way nature
intended: on a loop.”
Ann Friedman, “What Journalists Really Need to Know About Animated Gifs.” 24 November 2014. http://www.poynter.org/how-tos/writing/183802/what-journalists-need-to-know-
about-animated-gifs-really/

18. Gifs Through Native Search

19. Hashtags
● be consistent: these curate your content
● first 5 featured
● okay to get a meta/silly with hashtags

20. Hashtags to Watch and Use
● books + lit: #lit, #yalit, #booklr, #book advice
● libraries: #tumblarians, #libraries
● fandom specific (may not be what you think)
supernatural: #spn
hannibal: #fannibal
#doctorwho vs. #drwho

21. General Tips
for the care and feeding of
your public library tumblr

22. Reblog! Add your own comments.

23. Interact with other
libraries.
Interact with
authors.

24. Participate in memes.

25. Capitalize on breaking news.

26. Celebrate Internet holidays.

27. Sometimes a post totally bombs.
It’s okay.

28. Questions?

29. Connecting with Your Local Community
● Find your local/regional hashtag
● Follow other blogs focused on local content
● Reblog/Like other local power users
● Host a real life Tumblr meet up

30. Feature Local Content

31. Use high quality photos.

32. Show your personality!
Interact with patrons.

33. Promote your events
strategically.
Know your audience.

34. Reblog and add a local twist! Feature
your services, programs, and
collections.

35. Curate local artists
Feature current events

36. Spotlight local, but
with wide appeal.
Spotlight novel ideas or
innovative marketing.

37. Showcase staff. Show your
personality.

38. Track any mention of your library. You
never know what you’ll find.

39. Share local events your followers will be interested in.
(bonus! may lead to outreach and partnership opportunities).

40. Questions?

41. Readers’ Advisory on Tumblr
● booklists (don’t be afraid to think outside the box!)
● graphics and flowcharts (these are crazy popular)
● book reviews (especially in gifs!)
● personalized recommendations (through the ask box,
can be private or shared with everyone)
● book discussions (#reblogbookclub)

42. Flowcharts + RA Graphics

43. Put a creative or unique spin
on the booklist theme or topic.

44. Take inspiration from
pop culture
and other forms of media.

45. Tumblr runs on fandom -- really,
pop culture content is the way to
go.

46. Start with image that introduces
content or theme.
Use a gif.
Tag official
account.

47. Like-->Try--Why posts done two ways.

48. Mix photo slide of
recommendations with text with
gifs and descriptions.

49. Title to introduce
post with image
and text.
Text to explain
images (for
visually impaired).
Attribution to
author gives
personal touch.Images! Tumblr is
a highly visual
platform.

50. Collaborate with other
libraries.

51. Ask Box Recommendations

52. Personalized Book Suggestions

53. Review Books in Gifs
● Curate a gif library
● Find that perfect gif
● Reaction gifs!
● Tell the synopsis in pictures
● labor intensive, but fun

54. Virtual Book Discussions
● #reblogbookclub: the official tumblr
book club
● follow via hashtag
● discussions, author talks, fanart
● not constrained to a particular time like
a twitter chat
● one book, one community events

55. Index RA Content

56. Questions?

57. Notable Public Library
Tumblrs
and Beyond Readers’ Advisory

58. Pickerington Public Library
http://pickeringtonlibrary.tumblr.com/

59. Austin Public Library
http://austinpubliclibrary.tumblr.com/

60. Local History and Archives
Hennepin County (MN)
Public Library
http://hclib.tumblr.com/

61. Spotlight on Community
Evanston (IL) Public Library
http://evanstonpubliclibrary.tumblr.com

62. Curating Content
Darien (CT) Public Library
http://darienreads.org

63. Focus on Makerspace
Denver (CO) Public Library
http://dplidealab.tumblr.com/

64. Questions?

65. Molly Wetta
Collection Development Librarian (and official tumblarian)
Lawrence (Kansas) Public Library
lawrencepubliclibrary.tumblr.com
personal tumblr: mollymwetta.tumblr.com
readers’ advisory tumblr: findyournextbook.tumblr.com
twitter: @molly_wetta
mollymwetta@gmail.com

66. image credits
Slide 10: CC image by Flickr User Darren Larson http://bit.ly/1HK2GVU
Slide 11: CC Image by Flickr User Joey Rozier http://bit.ly/1MjAJuq
Slide 12: CC Image by Flickr User steve9567http://bit.ly/1DqEIgs
Slide 13: CC Image by Flickr User sarahluv http://bit.ly/1JsRpJK
Slide 14: Avengers wallpaper http://cupegraf.com/345702-avengers-assemble.html
Slide 16: CC image by Flickr User Horia Varlan http://bit.ly/1I4j6Ye
Slide 20: CC image by Flickr User Kristina Alexanderson http://bit.ly/1gK9hsA
Slide 28: Downtown Lawrence Mural by Molly Wetta
Slide 40: CC image by Flickr User by Anna Creech http://bit.ly/1Gwh1Dl