What I'm Reading Now . . .

School Libraries on Facebook:  The "Cool-Factor" Does Matter

Many libraries are using Facebook to create connections to their students, family, and community.  Tons of photos of students, library and school activities make the sites a place that students will definitely want to visit – even if just to see their own picture.  In reviewing school library Facebook pages, I noticed the best library pages had multiple posts about new books in the library, book trailers and “book-turned-movie” movie trailers.  Student made book talks and videos of students and their projects supported the “cool” factor on the best pages.  News of author visits and links to excellent websites were in abundance, along with literacy cartoons and sayings that made the sites look very much like a personal-use Facebook page.

Each site I reviewed appeared to have control over the comments posted on the page, but the ability to private-message the library appeared to be available.

Advantages of using Facebook to promote your library are obvious:  Students are on Facebook.  They are familiar with the program as are most of their parents.  Having a well-developed and current Facebook presence makes the library seem more like the hub of school activity – not just library activity, and it brings connection to the school and its available resources.

Disadvantages might be in keeping the information current and interesting.  Otherwise, students might look at the page once or twice and never return to find valuable information.  The Facebook page is almost like a restaurant . . . It gets one chance, and if it’s not appealing, people will not visit again.  But if students find themselves, their interests, and valuable information on the page, they will visit again and again.  Too, control over what is posted must be controlled, limiting some interactivity.

The following library Facebook pages all are rated with 5 of 5 available stars, and they are definitely worth viewing!

https://www.facebook.com/stroudlibrary:  Beginning with a beautiful cover photo of their library, the Stroud Elementary School Library in Athens, Georgia, has a link to their elementary school web page.  Additionally, the library’s hours and phone number are placed right under the cover photo.  New books and book trailers are posted on the site as are user reviews from library patrons.  Videos of students and their projects make the site a cool place for kids to visit.  First and second graders interviewed each other using Flipgrid.com, as they talked about books they read in the library.  From this dynamic website, I found:  http://booksforkeeps.org/ - a program in Athens that distributes book bags to disadvantaged students every summer.  (I got so excited about this program that I emailed our superintendent, our ELA director, our No Excuses University leaders – local and national!)  Wow!  This site is incredible – lots of photos and news about everything going on at Stroud Elementary – not just in the library.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fountain-Lake-High-School-Library/315089674676:  Fountain Lake High School Library has links to Pinterest where patrons can view the librarian’s book suggestions.  New books are posted on the page, along with student-led book talks.  There are lots of pictures of fun activities in the library, making this library look like a fun place to be!  Also posted are days that the library will be open on Saturdays and in the summer!  That’s cool!  The site also shows student using new technologies in the library, and author visits are announced with picture follow-ups.  Nice FB page!

https://www.facebook.com/tafthslibrary – Taft HS Library is in San Antonio, and it, too, grabs your attention with its attractive cover photo.  Address, library hours, and phone number are just under the cover photo.  Lots of pictures about new books, author visits, and links to cool websites make the site appealing.  Also on the page are movie trailers for books-turned-movie (like The Maze Runner), and book club information.