Final Project ~ Conclusion

Over the last few weeks I have enjoyed following the professional facebook pages.  I am going to conclude with some comments on what worked and what did not.

What worked:

- Having a real human being with a name and photo as the spokesperson for the FB page was successful.  The GL had a fairly active site as did Jennifer Freer prior to her lapse in updates.  However, the two library pages had less of an interaction with fans, perhaps because it seemed awkward to send comments to a library.

- Posting on the local.  On all four FB sites there was more activity regarding posts that were locally relevant.  For example pertaining to local events, or about films centering on their community (as in the case of the Vancouver Public Library).

- Posting frequently.  Libraries and librarians who posted one to two times per week seemed to have more comments or likes and dislikes posted to their FB pages.  However, I think that over posting may work the reverse and just cause an information overload for fans.

- Using the FB page as a link to other resources.  All of the FB pages that I followed posted their hours and contact information.  However, Jennifer Freer used her FB page as a hub of resources for students.  Students could got to her FB page and access online tutorials, reference help, the library website, RIT housing information and a host of other relevant links for RIT business students.  Because the page remained relevant via links her fan base continues to grow even though she has not posted anything since January 14 2010.

What didn’t work:

- Using your library institution as the picture and person posting comments to the FB page.  It seemed more awkward to communicate on a social/informal level with the library as an institution.  I think that Kingston Frontenac Public Library and Vancouver Public Library would be more successful if they appointed one or two staff members to act as the figure heads of the library FB page.  Giving fans someone to communicate with.

- Advertising only.  While all four FB pages used their pages primarily for advertising those who also posted personal comments or points of view and relevant articles or media bites were more successful.  KFPL only posted “Book of the Week” and library hour information while I was following them.  This leaves little for fans to comment on or discuss.  As well by not positing comments or reviews of the books by real live staff members of the library there was lack of authenticity and personal connection.

Overall professional FB pages seemed to be an effective way to communicate with the community.  According to GL the page is easy to manage and update, and therefore, is an effective use of his time.  Keeping a balance between being professional and authentic may be the most difficult aspect of creating and maintaining the page.  However, I think that fans and staff alike will appreciate honest attempts at use of this new tool as a form of communication and interaction with the public.

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