Thing 1:Twitter (or Twitter revisited)

Twitter is the social media tool I use all the time; in fact friends and family would probably say I’m an addict and since I got my tablet and smartphone I'm probably worse! I began tweeting as @Chrissie72 in 2009, but my interest really took off when I set up a Twitter account at work. I thought I’d write a little about how @nulibrs has evolved. 

In November 2009 I was asked to investigate how the Customer Services section (formerly Reader Services) of the Robinson Library could launch a Twitter page. Initially I emailed staff to ask for comments and suggestions. Liaison staff who were already experimenting with Twitter were contacted to see how they used this application. Once this information was fed back to the head of CS, it was decided to set up a team of staff who would be responsible for posting information. Most staff had never used any kind of social media before so it was a case of giving it a go to see how it worked.  However, we were convinced of the potential usefulness of social media and saw it as another way help disseminate the message about our services and resources. 

   

After some discussion, we proposed some suggestions for tweets;

• Changes to opening hours.
• Promoting new services e.g. lap top loans, e-book readers, new lockers, etc.
• Any disruptions to services.
• Answers to anything that crop up regularly from e.g. reminder that a different password needed to renew books.
• Routine things such as staff due dates, occasional reminders about checking receipts, any other problems.
•  Did you know? e.g. that you can book STC books, that you can borrow laptops.
• To ask for feedback for when we're looking at new things -  ask people what they think.
• Current 'events' e.g. EndNote week, Postgraduate open days.
•  Could have a 'service of the week' or 'how do I do X'  question

Although @nulibrs started off slowly, it has really taken on a life of its own! I think one thing that makes @nulibrs stand out from the crowd is the way in which staff engage with followers; it’s not just about sending out information from the list above, we take part in conversations and build relationships with followers too which I think gives library staff a more human side. 

We have used hashtags as a way of indexing tweets by subject, for example #robrenew (for the library refurbishment) and #Robreads (book recommendations). We also regularly run competitions which have proved to be very popular.

I can’t really say much about using Twitter for research, but a colleague has put together a really useful guide on using Social media for research. Personally I find Twitter helpful for keeping up to date with what’s going on in Library land and hashtags and lists are a very useful way of doing this without being overwhelmed with information.

The use of social media at the Robinson Library seems to have grown organically; staff tend to try new things and report back to colleagues on the appropriateness (or not) of these tools. This has worked well so far with both Customer Services and Liaison staff managing and updating Twitter, Facebook and our other social media tools.

23 Mobile Things

A couple of years ago I completed 23 Things for Professional Development, an online, self-directed  programme which introduced a range of tools to help personal and professional development. It was a mix of various social media tools and other more 'traditional' tools. I enjoyed the programme and found it very useful, so when I came across ’23 Mobile Things’ on Twitter it immediately got my attention! As an enthusiastic smartphone user this looks like a good way to build on my knowledge of social media while exploring the ways mobile technologies can be used to deliver library services. Although there are some tools which I’m already familiar with there are several I’m only vaguely aware of, so it will be good to learn more and blog about each ‘thing’ as I go along.

Thing 12: Putting the social into social media

As I’ve said before, I love Twitter and am a bit of a social media fan. However as I’m a bit behind I’m just going to try and answer the questions we were asked to consider. 

Are there any other advantages to social networking in the context of professional development than those already outlined above? 

Personally, since starting CPD23 I feel more like I’m part of a community, though I’m still more of a lurker and haven’t contributed much yet.  It’s reassuring to know that there are people out there all doing the same thing, many who like me are newly qualified. Also, Twitter is a quick and easy way of keeping up to date; I’ll always check Twitter first for news and information.

Can you think of any disadvantages?

Of course there are downsides to social media: it can be extremely addictive and time-consuming if you’re not careful!

Has CPD23 helped you to make contact with others that you would not have had contact with normally?

Until CPD23, I didn’t realise how much it could be used professionally. However, now I follow more library people, including fellow CPD23-ers who I wouldn’t usually have any contact with. All I need to do now it to try and participate more!

Did you already use social media for your career development before starting CPD23? Will you keep using it after the programme has finished?

I used Twitter while doing my dissertation, basically tweeting about what I was up to. In addition, studying by distance learning meant little contact with other students so Facebook was a good way of staying in touch.

Although I’ve dabbled with other networks such as Google+ and Linkedin I haven’t fallen in love with them, so for now I’m just going to stick with Twitter.

In your opinion does social networking really help to foster a sense of community?

Definitely. I think since beginning CPD23 I have felt that I’m a little more engaged with the Library world. For instance, when I’ve asked questions other twitterers have been quick to help. So I agree that it’s a good place to ask questions and share ideas.