Pinterest Basics

Basics

Melissa M. Dragoo

Youth Services LibrarianHamilton East Public Librarydragoom@hepl.lib.in.us

What is Pinterest?Pinterest is an electronic pinboard. It is a website that allows you to store and organize interesting/useful things you find on the web. You can also see what other people are pinning and re-pin the things that they find.

The Mission of Pinterest

Our goal is to connect everyone in the world through the 'things' they find interesting. We think that a favorite book, toy, or recipe can reveal a common link between two people. With millions of new pins added every week, Pinterest is connecting people all over the world based on shared tastes and interests.

How Do People Use Pinterest?

Ready, Set, Go!

http://pinterest.com/

Getting StartedChoosing your Username and Account Name•User name will be in your URL•Account Name will be displayed on your Pinterest Page

Example: Generic Public LibraryUser Name: www.pinterest.com/gplAccount Name:First Name: Generic; Last Name: Public Library

Your Profile

Ok…now what?

Searching • In the top left hand corner, type

your search terms into the box• Choose Pins, Boards, Pinners• You can choose to follow Pinners,

Boards or re-pin specific pins

Creating a Board

Re-pinning

Original Pins

Things to Consider

• Come up with a list of priorities for the board. Do you want to start small and focus on highlighting your collection? Promote your programs? If you clearly delineate your goals, it will give your pinning focus. (Re-visit this periodically and update as needed)

• Keep it fresh! Create a goal for the number of pins you would like to add per week

• Who will maintain your page? Will it be one person responsible or a team? Keep in mind that if someone isn’t assigned responsibility for the page, it can easily fall by the wayside

• Will you allow non-staff to pin to certain boards? Who will be in charge of monitoring these boards?

• Promote your Pinterest page on your website, blogs, Facebook page, Twitter feed, etc.

• Will your board be library wide? Branch specific? Divided by population served?

• Consider adding Pinterest specific policies to your Social Media policy

Copyright Issues

• There is concern of copyright infringement by re-pinning others work•Avoid this by writing original comments/descriptions when you re-pin•Uploading original content is also a safe bet• The burden is on the infringed party to notify you to remove an item

Useful Articles

http://www.davidleeking.com/2012/03/15/pinterest-for-libraries-what-were-doing/#.UKLzrYfj8nk

http://edudemic.com/2012/03/20-ways-libraries-are-using-pinterest-right-now/

http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2012/02/industry-news/use-pinterest-to-promote-your-programs-and-services/

http://articles.businessinsider.com/2012-03-09/tech/31138590_1_dmca-copyright-holder-social-media

http://www.businessinsider.com/commenting-could-keep-pinterest-from-getting-sued-2012-3

Library Pinterest Pages of Note

http://pinterest.com/topekalibrary/http://pinterest.com/nypl/http://pinterest.com/fullertonpl/http://pinterest.com/hcpl/http://pinterest.com/oplteenzone/http://pinterest.com/grimshawlibrary/http://pinterest.com/scplteens/http://pinterest.com/mcplmo/http://pinterest.com/fwlys/