Final Project ~ What Seems to Be Working

Now that I have been following the library and librarian pages for a couple of weeks I am going to take some time in this post to discuss what seems to be working and what doesn’t.  I have contacted all of the pages I am following in an attempt to get some feedback from them about their experience with using a professional facebook page and I am hoping to have some insight from them to share with you prior to the project due date.

The Green Librarian ~ 40 Fans

As you can see the fan group for the GL is growing, albeit slowly.  When I started monitoring his sight he had 36 fans and has now grown by 4 fans.  It seems that either people are sharing his sight with friends or others are finding him online.

Many of his posts in the last week were advertisements for community events.  He posted and ad for a “Introduction to Permaculture Class” at Pierce Ceader Creek.  He received two like comments, which indicates that the post is being read and that at least two people liked it enough to click like.  There was also a comment from fan Skedgell, who stated what a great local opportunity the class is.

GL also posted a thank you to all who voted in River Networked MillerCoors national grant competition.  As a result of votes Thornapple River won a 25,000 dollar grant to help protect the water quality.  This post received 4 likes which again indicates that it is getting read, and that at least four people were willing to take the time to post a like.  GL also posted a comment about the article regarding the competition below his original post.

On March 21st GL posted an ad for Marsh Madness an event happening at a local marsh.  Selzer a very active fan posted that he was going to try to check it out.  After attending Selzer posted that it was a great event and continued on to give a glowing review on the event.  GL posted that he was glad Selzer enjoyed the event and he was sorry he had to miss it due to his daughters last swim class.

GL posts mostly advertisements about events or comments on articles that are relevant to the environment as well as the local community.  The fact that fans are posting likes seems like a good indication that these posts are being read by a number of fans.  I know that personally I read many online things without bothering to post a like, dislike or a comment.  I think that the fact that he is getting comments shows that his posts are working.  Part of the reason I believe his posts are working is because they are all locally relevant.  Furthermore, GL shows a level of authenticity.  He responds to comments in a real way, sharing some personal information with fans such as having to miss an event that he plugged to take his daughter to swimming.  He didn’t lie that was at the event, instead he admitted that even though he advertised it, he couldn’t attend.  Then he offered an authentic reason why he couldn’t make it.  The GL’s personal voice and local content makes him relevant to fans of his facebook page.

Jennifer Freer – Business Librarian ~ 130 Fans

Jennifer’s fans have grown as well, up from 128 to 130.  I think that the fact that there is any growth in fan base is incredible because she has yet to post anything new since her last post on January 14.  I think that people are still using her page as a jumping point to link to other relevant resources such as the library website, RIT housing website and online tutorials.  Her page acts as a hub for other RIT services and the library, I think this is why fans are still increasing.  Jennifer’s site seems to remain relevant even though the comment section has not been kept up.

Vancouver Public Library ~ 1023 Fans

VPL has increased fans substantially, they are up from 988 to 1023 fans.  Again the large growth is likely more possible because it is located in such as large city.  Over the last week they have posted only advertisements for upcoming events.  The posted an ad for a film screening of “Experimental Eskimos” which received 4 likes and no comments.  They posted an ad for a visit from the author Bruce Hunter, received no response.  Also an ad for a free Teen Comic Workshop was posted and received no comments as well.  However, an ad for a free screening of “Malls R Us” received two likes.

There were no new photos or discussion topics posted.

It seems that people are using this facebook page.  The fan base is growing, there are likes and dislikes posted, however, no comments.  It seems that the facebook crowd at least is very interested in film screening events.  Perhaps discussion regarding the film screenings could be cultivated if a staff member posted a review or comment on the film.  If the purpose of the facebook pages was to act as a place for event advertisement VPL is successful.  However, if they were hoping to foster a forum for patron debate and conversation the site so far is less than successful.

Kingston Frontenac Public Library ~ 133 Fans

KFPL has only posted “Book of the Week” and holiday hours for Easter Weekend.  There has been no response to any of the books of the week, or the holiday hours.  It seems that there is no personal voice on the facebook page.  Their “Book of the Week” posts don’t feature an individual librarian and seem to appear as a post from the library itself.  This lack of personal connection, voice and authenticity may be resulting in low fan participation.  KFPL would, I think, benefit from assigning one or two staff members to act as the voice of the site.  Fans may be more likely to participate, and staff may be more likely to generate discussion if there are real individuals to have contact with rather than the KFPL as a larger entity.

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