Twitter in the Library:Followers and Managers and Widgets--Oh

My!

Twitter: What is it?

“A real-time short messaging service that works over multiple networks and devices…In countries all around the world, people follow the sources most relevant to them and access information via Twitter as it happens—from breaking world news to updates from friends.”

From the Twitter website: http://twitter.com/about#aboutAccessed 10/8/2009

Twitter: A HistoryLaunched in July 2006; began as a “daylong

brainstorming session” by Odeo, a podcasting companyOriginally used as an internal communication service by

OdeoSpun off into its own company in April 2007The tipping point? 2007 SXSW Festival! Followed by wild popularity after users like Oprah and

Ashton Kutcher began tweetingLibrary use has skyrocketed, with use of Twitter at

conferencesNotable conference use? @ALASecrets2009

Library Journal article: http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6671858.html?&rid=##reg_visitor_id##&source=title

Twitter: Words to KnowTweet: Text-based post of up to 140 characters that a Tweeter sends

via a Twitter accountFollow: Regularly receive another user’s TweetsDM (Direct Message): A way for Tweeters to send private messages Trending Topics: The current, most frequently tweeted, words,

phrases, and hashtagsFavorites: You can save Tweets as favorites by clicking the star at the

end of the Tweet (alternatively, you can delete by clicking the trash can)

RT (Re-tweet): Tweeting someone else’s message with @Username to attribute the tweet

#Hashtag: Basically, a tag!URL Shortener: Tweets can only be 140 characters, so sites being

referenced are often listed with a URL shortenerView more on the Twictionary: http://twictionary.pbworks.com/

Who Uses Twitter?According to a recent NY Times article,

Twitter is reaching a non-traditional demographic (older people; age 35-54) for social networking sites.

According to the recent LSU Libraries Online Participation Survey, 80% of our STUDENTS (graduate and undergraduate) know what Twitter is, but don’t use it. A small 16% uses Twitter on some level (from following others—13%, to posting frequently—3%)

Why do they use Twitter?The “older” demographic seems attracted to

Twitter for its professional development value; they like to stay updated on professional and industry news via Twitter

It’s easy, simple, and is suited to mobile devices and the lifestyle that usually comes with them

It takes very little time to simply follow someone else; in fact, 13% of LSU students who use Twitter at all use it mainly to follow others

It is a great marketing/outreach tool (see “staying updated on news”)

Why do WE use Twitter?It’s another point of access to the library, with VERY little upkeepWe reach a different group of people from what we reach with

Facebook and our other outreach methodsIt’s a great professional development tool; currently,

LSULibraries follows ALA groupsLibrary of CongressLibrary JournalAmerican Libraries JSTOROther LSU groupsProject MuseEBR Public Library IFLA groups

Libraries/ians on TwitterWho are they?

There are at least 500 libraries with Twitter accounts according to most lists

A good mix of public and academic

What are they doing? The Nebraska Library Commission tweets reference questions as

part of the Ask-a-Librarian service: it both generates interest in questions, and shows people that they get answers! They’re getting a following of non-librarians who are just interested.

University of Illinois-U-C posts updates and hints about using resources

Most libraries just update with marketing/outreach Tweets (which is what we are doing now)

Most individual librarians use it to keep up with library trends, or only at conferences

Twitter Issues (Twissues?)

Spam, and even pornographyConstant surveillance is necessary for a site

like oursServer/connectivity issuesReputationRelative youth of the site, and doubts about

its future applications/functionality“Another” social networking tool!

ApplicationsFacebook

Update status messages with Tweets, and Tweets with status messages

ScreenrCreate easy screencasts to publish via TwitterCan download the MP4, and even upload it to

YouTubeHootsuite

Manage Tweets Schedule future TweetsKeep statistics on users and user interactions

Badges &WidgetsTwitter allows you to create badges to market

Twitter accounts on your web spaceYou can simply Google this, and find the code

for many unique Twitter looksTwitter allows you to create widgets to place

on any webpage that will exhibit recent TweetsExample: LLA2010 Conference Wiki & Twitter

feed

Future Twitter Plans at LSU…

Ongoing Twitter Trivia ContestHosted by LSU LibrariesEvery other day?Post running tally of high scorersExcellent marketing tool

Middleton Minute: All Your Research Questions Answers in 60 Seconds or Less! Use Screenr to create screencastsPromote library resources in a quick & fun awayLittle time investment; learning curve is nothing