Social Media at BCL

Libraries are always in a state of changing and adapting to new ways of providing services to our communities.  Anyone who's breathing knows that Facebook and Twitter exist and that some people use these platforms to communicate and connect with other people.  So, do libraries need to take advantage of social media platforms to get our message of "access for all" out into the world? "Yes," says the 2013 State of America’s Libraries Report from the American Library Association.  Embracing new technologies to improve our services is just the way that libraries roll.  Sometimes the upswing is a little shaky (the angst-ridden days of the initial upload of the SC LENDS system a couple of years ago immediately comes to mind); sometimes the experiments don't work out as planned (PC Reservation didn't perform as hoped); but, more often than not, new efficiencies are created through the use of new technologies.

The amount of time and resources available limits our options of social media platforms.  In most libraries, staff have to "work in" management of social media into their other responsibilities.  That is definitely the case here in the Beaufort County Library system.  No one person is assigned "social media management" as their major, or only, responsibility.   How can we give our community the biggest bang for their bucks (which pay for our time and expertise via the County's funding for the library system)?  

Facebook and Twitter have a broad reach and are good platforms to share news about about upcoming events. Pinterest is a photo-sharing site that allows libraries to have separate boards for new books, library events, films, and even book-themed art.What "social media" does the BCL maintain? Click here and see!

On a more local history note: In addition to writing this blog, Connections, (at least once a week, but generally several times a week), the BDC has a Facebook page (at least one posting per day that we are open for business), and a Wordpress blog that holds some of our "Recommended Reading" lists on local people, local places, and local topics of note.  Occasionally we post images into the system Flickr account.  You can even see reviews of some of what we've read in the Library system's Pinterest "What We're Reading" account.  (The BDC doesn't have a Twitter account because there is no way I can say what I have to say in 140 characters or less!)  It's ironic that the "dusty old stuff" part of the Library system, the BDC, is so deeply involved in the newest phases of library services, social media.

The BDC is on Facebook

Did you know that you don't have to have a Facebook account to see what we post on the BDC's Facebook page?  Please visit us often.  If you want to post a comment, though, you'll need your own Facebook account.

Uncertain about how to use Facebook? Click here for a "Facebook Beginner's Guide." (The Library even has classes to help you get comfortable with Facebook. Check our calendar for upcoming classes.)

Why should you bother visiting us on Facebook?  There are unique posts on Facebook, just as the longer format of blogging allows different content here in Connections.  Sometimes there is a slight level of overlap but seldom is the content exactly duplicated across the formats. In fact, you missed some unique Facebook postings about local African-American history during February on our page. Ever heard of "The Yellow Canary?" On our Facebook page you can find out more about this significant African-American politician and South Carolina State University President!

Just don't expect the BDC to "tweet."  I can't possibly boil down such fabulously rich content as we have in the Library's special collections and archives unit into a mere measly 140 characters or less! To put it colloquially, "It ain't happening."

We Did It!

Thank you to all the folks who rallied other folks to like the BDC's Facebook page.  Visit it at http://www.facebook.com/BDC.BCL for a slightly different spin on what it is that we do here in the Beaufort District Collection.  We reached our goal of "50 Likes" by Halloween.  We couldn't have done it without our Friends. 

BDC Celebrates Archives Month (Continued)

Weren't able to join us for a “Behind-the-Scenes” Tour?  While a "Behind-the-Scenes" Tour is the best way to understand what it is we do in the Library system's special collections and archives unit, we try to share facets of our work via social media and our Research Room displays.   

You will have noticed that this blog has included entries about some of our own local natural disasters.  Check out the entries behind the "earthquakes," "Great Sea Island Storm of 1893," and "hurricanes" labels.  We just encouraged participation in the Great SouthEast ShakeOut to learn some protection strategies during an earthquake.  We've posted a revised list of materials on the topic of the Sea Island Storm.  We've loaded  the Research Room display case with materials from our holdings on hurricanes, floods, fires, and earthquakes.  We've put a few images of these events online via Facebook and this blog. 

Be sure to keeping reading Connections and become our Facebook friend to make certain you see some of the “good stuff” about the bad natural disasters that have befallen Beaufort District throughout its long history. 

To see everything we have on a particular topic, you'd need to make an appointment and come to the Research Room for a research consultation.  Many of the items are fragile. 

 

Looking for a Few Good Friends

... for the Beaufort District Collection's Facebook page.

Goal:  50 Friends by the end of Archives Month (i.e., Halloween, Oct. 31st). 


To be an "official Friend," you'll have to already have a Facebook account or sign up for your own Facebook account.  However, our BDC.BCL Facebook page is open to the general public so you can always read what we post.  Being a Friend allows you to post comments about what we post.  

New to Facebook? Click here for a "Facebook Beginner's Guide."

Please help us reach our goal of 50 Facebook Friends by Halloween!

BDC.BCL is now on Facebook

www.facebook.com/BDC.BCL

Libraries are all about using social media tools to understand what our communities want from us and to share what it is that libraries provide for our communities.  We want to start a conversation about the local history services offered through the Beaufort District Collection.   So, in addition to my other duties, I've taken on creating and maintaining a BDC.BCL Facebook page.

Some of the Facebook posts will be quite similar to content posted in Connections; some of the posts will be unique to the media upon which it is hosted in cyberspace.  Sometimes the content may overlap between the media. 

All I will promise that every day I am in the office I will post a Facebook entry of some sort relating to our library offerings of local history, culture, genealogy, archaeology, and the environment; activities around the County relevant to our scope; or on matters of advocacy for cultural heritage institutions, libraries, and archives.    

Please "Like" us when you visit http://www.facebook.com/BDC.BCL.  Feel free to ask a question about our library services or programs.  I'll do my best to respond quickly to your inquiry.

BCL Facebook Update

This is from Gina Molter, our Social Media go-to person: 

Beginning June 1st, BCL will no longer be having a system-wide Facebook page, so be sure to find and like your branch's Facebook page to keep up with all the happenings! Just click on the link by the Branch and it will take you to their page on Facebook where you can "like" your branch and follow their posts.

This is from me:

You may need to set up a Facebook account (if you don't already have one) to participate.  St. Helena Branch Library does not have a Facebook page yet.  

These are from Gina:

• Bluffton Branch Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bluffton-Branch-Library/262459100531 
• Lobeco Branch Library Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000824481042  
• Hilton Head Island Branch Library Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hilton-Head-Island-Branch-Library/407994615082 
• Beaufort Branch Library Teens Facebook (with limited access): http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003583301816 
• A Beaufort District Collection Facebook page is being designed.  I'll let you know via this blog when it's up and running properly. 

The Library is on Facebook.

Beaufort County Library has a Facebook page.

Read Us!

Like Us!

Learn more about all that the BCL system has to offer you.  

Free Online Class: Social Media for Family Researchers

Just a reminder that there's still time to register to participate in a free one- hour class "Social Networking for Genealogists" with Debbie Bloom, the Walker Local History Room Manager at Richland County Public Library.  The class will be presented live over the internet tomorrow beginning at 10 am. 

The class is a look at some of the online tools genealogist can use for research, such as blogs, readers, iGoogle, wikis and Facebook.

• Register today! at https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/136972398