Read all about it! marketing and libraries

I have to agree that how we market ourselves as professionals and our services is extremely important.  I don't think the marketing skills need to be elaborate as simple things can tend to be more effective.

How people and students perceive us as individuals can influence their decision to use the library or not.  Are we friendly, approachable, willing to listen and explore new things?  Simple things such as Tea and Coffee for Easter term, while providing an area and time for students to have a break, can also be a marketing tool, encouraging them that we are here to help.  If those students then tell there friends, who also decide to use the library for its friendly, warm atmosphere then mission accompished.

"If we don’t have a presence there too we’re missing a trick." This statement about not getting involved with using social media techniques, I believe to be true as it is also my belief.  As I've previously commented on this blog, I think as librarians we need to be actively using social media, whether its, blogs, facebook, twitter or other mediums, in order to get our message and services out to our users.  As each person is different we need diversify away from traditional communication tools and have a presence on these new online forums.  The idea isn't to abandon traditional methods, just be more inclusive to everyone.  For example if a student doesn't use their Hermes email, but follows us on Twitter, they will still be in contact with the library and what we have to offer.

As for what I'm going to do in relation to social media marketing, continuing with facebook and twitter is a must.  We're also going to try and promote them more at the freshers fair this year.  In conjunction with tutorial we may try and set up a doodle poll to find out what sites our students use most and what method of communication they would like us to use.  I'm also very impressed by the Quinlib blog and may see if we can get this off the ground next term.

The trials and tribulations of blog creation

Create your own blog - that instruction for Thing 3 seemed pretty straight forward until the trepidation set in!


How many would be Cam23 bloggers sat there and did the following I wonder?:
a. panicked
b. questioned whether your writings be good enough and if anyone would read them
c. spent ages trying to think of a good blog name
d. stressed about the look and design
e. all of the above


Would I become "Marvin the Paranoid Anroid", or Lance Corporal Jones from "Dad's Army" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR6wok7g7do&NR=1. If so then welcome to my world three weeks ago!

I think the hardest part for me was trying to think of a good blog name, as I find I pay more attention to the blogs with interesting names that draw me in to look at what their saying.

Eventually I decided on the name of Seshat Scribe, as I'm a keen egyptian fan. Seshat was the Ancient Egyptian goddess of wisdom, knowledge, record keeping and writing. She was also known as "Mistress of the House of Books" because she looked after the library of the gods and was the patron of all earthly libraries. I thought the name would therefore be apt for a librarian setting out on her first blogging journey.

Over the last 3 weeks, I've found I quite like blogging, but it does seem to take alot of time. I like to think about what I'm going to write and try to put it into context for any subsequent readers. I do agree with Larry Brauner's reason no. 23 http://online-social-networking.com/top-reasons-why-i-blog it does help me reflect on information and how it can be used. Evaluation and reflectivity are key tools in learning, and something we must do in order to improve services and not become too stale.