Getting Started with Facebook is brought to you by Tutor.com.Tutor.com is a Proud Sponsor of YALSA’s Teen Tech Week™ | ©2010 Tutor.com

Getting Started With Facebook:A Guide For LibrariesGetting Started With Facebook:Getting Started With Facebook:

Why ?Social Media is a broad universe with lots of different ways to connect with your community. If the people you most care about are teens, then Facebook is the best fi rst step in your social media strategy. Especially if your library has limited time, budget and resources.

• It’s where teens are. 18.5 million teens, ages 13-18 are on Facebook, and over half of these users check the site every day.

• It fi ts your budget. Because it’s free! There is no cost associated with setting up a Facebook account.

• It’s easy to get started. You don’t need a lot of training, setup time, tech help or a consultant to have an engaging Facebook page. You will need some time to maintain and grow the page, and this guide will show you how.

Getting Started with FacebookYour fi rst step is to set up a Facebook Page instead of a group, or a personalprofi le representing the library. All Pages must be associated with a personalaccount. Once you have decided on the personal account, and signed in, youcan visit www.facebook.com/page, and follow the instructions.

Once the page is created, here’s what you need to do fi rst before telling theworld about your Page.

• Set up and add additional administrators. This will be the personal accounts of whomever you have designated as the people responsible for updating the page. These additional administrators can be removed or added as needed.

• Fill out your information, including your website address and open hours.

• Remove all tabs without content. Your Page should be clean and easy to navigate.

• Upload a picture of your library or your library’s logo.

• Become a fan of local community businesses and resources. You can do this by going to their pages and clicking “Add to My Page’s Favorites.” This will show support for the sports teams, vendors, shops and schools in your community.

• In the “Manage Permissions” section, Set the Wall Tab to show “All Posts” and check “expand comments on stories.” Set the Default Landing Tab to “Wall” and check all of the posting ability boxes. This will require vigilant monitoring for the page, but allows the most interaction.

Once you are set, and ready to go – tell the world! If you are already on Twitter, be sure to let your followers know they can now Like you on Facebook. If you maintain a blog, put up a post about your new Page. If youaren’t engaged in any other form of social media, then be sure to put the link to your Facebook Page on your library’s website, especially on the teen-focused page(s). Don’t wait until the Page is perfect. It never will be,it evolves and gets better with feedback.

Why Facebook?

Library Facebook Pages That Work

Multnomah County Library

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Getting Started With Facebook: A Guide For Libraries

• Ask questions. You want teen feedback, and they love giving it. Suggestions on which books to order. Special events they’d like the library to organize. What they are reading or studying in school.

• Share. People connect to the library because they want to stay updated, but they also want to feel like an “insider.” Tell funny stories or post interesting stats (the most requested book of the week, or how many students showed up for Gaming Day).

• Trivia. Whether its Harry Potter Trivia or snippets about the community, everybody loves learning something new, every day.

• Interesting Links. Something fun happening in your town? News on library budgets? Share what interests you with everyone on the page.

• Get Teens Involved. Your teen advisory board is a great resource! They use Facebook the most, so get their input on what they’d like to see you post, or features and apps you should consider adding. Make sure you incorporate their feedback—this is a great collaborative project!

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)Facebook Content: Keep it FreshThe only thing worse than not having a Facebook Page is having a staticpage that is not regularly updated. Your page will require some care and feeding, but with it you’ll get lots of great feedback and interaction with your community. Here are some ideas that you can easily do to make sure your page is vibrant and fun.

• Pictures and more pictures! Nothing gets people talking more than pictures. Here are some ideas for your Page: Covers of new releases, such as books and DVDs. Shots from local events and library happenings. Capture the special features of your library, including reading nooks, study spaces, recommendation section.

• Events. Be sure to update your fans and invite them to events at your library, whether it’s fi ne amnesty day, or changes to the book club schedule.

• Reminders. You may have announced your new afterschool program, or library apps, but sometimes people forget. Post updates reminding people about all the programs your library offers.

Remember: Do not post photos of minors without their parents or guardian’s permission.

Remember: Do not post copyrighted material without permission of the owner.

Library Facebook Pages That Work

Skokie Public Library

Library Facebook Pages That Work

Palm Beach County Library System

News on library budgets? Share what interests you with News on library budgets? Share what interests you with

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Do not post copyrighted material without permission of the owner.Do not post copyrighted material without permission of the owner.

Palm Beach County Library SystemPalm Beach County Library System