Rethinking How Social Media Connects Communities and Libraries

Tuesday, May 30, 9 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Although social media tools are a ubiquitous part of our communications landscape, they often are seen as driving forces rather than the tools they can so effectively be.

This daylong exploration of our assumptions about social media and the communities libraries serve is designed to help us rethink our approach. We will look at current social-media successes and failures; see how libraries are creatively using a variety of social-media platforms; use social media tools as part of the daylong learning experience; and create easy-to-implement draft action plans to more effectively use social-media tools to promote programs including those funded by LSTA grants.

Participants, by the end of the daylong program, should be able to:

• Define at least three key elements of successful social-media use
• Take concrete steps to avoid common social-media mistakes
• Identify at least three staff colleagues and/or community partners with whom they can be more effectively collaborate via social-media tools to the benefit of the library and the community it serves
• Immediately begin to more effectively incorporate at least one social media tool into a library’s interactions with the onsite-online communities it serves with LSTA funds and other resources

Participants are encouraged to bring — and use — their mobile devices during the program. Bring an example of an event or service you would like to promote on social media.

Paul Signorelli is a San Francisco based consultant, trainer, and social media strategist. He has an MLIS from the University of North Texas and has been a presenter at the American Library Association Annual Conference, as well as various state conferences. He has facilitated a 4 week online course for ALA Editions on “Rethinking Social Media”.

AGENDA

8:30 – 9 a.m.
Registration and coffee

9 – 10:30 a.m.
Interactive Keynote Session: Rethinking Social Media to Connect Communities

10:30 – 10:45 a.m.
Break

10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Breakout Discussion Session #1: Best Practices in Social Media Use

12:15 – 1:15 p.m.
Lunch/Unconference Unconference optional for those who want to participate.

1:15 – 2:45 p.m.
Breakout Discussion Session #2: Incorporating Social Media to Engage Our Communities

2:45 – 3:00 p.m.
Break

3 – 4:30 p.m.
Breakout Discussion Session #3: Creating a Social Media Plan of Action for Our Organization’s
LSTA Initiatives … and More

4:30 – 4:45 p.m.
Final Debrief and Question and Answer Session

————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Location: Upper Merion Township Library, 175 W. Valley Forge Road, King of Prussia, PA

Click here to register for workshop.  Deadline to register is May 24.

Payment: Check for $16, payable to Chester County Library. Mail to Agatha Lyons, Chester County Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA 19341

Continuing Education Credits: 6 hours

If you need a vegan or gluten-free meal, contact Chris Snyder at 215.348.9083.

This event is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Wolf, Governor.