10 Instagram Tips for Instasuccess

Thinking about making a library Instagram account? If you want to reach your teens, research and even many teen librarians will tell you that Instagram (IG) is the place to be. I talked with Garrett Pinder from Jones Library and an avid Instagram user, and we collaborated to come up with a top 10 list for all libraries getting started:

1) Hashtags are IT 

Hashtags are so important for people to find your content and very integrated into the way people use Instagram. Make sure to use a hashtag for your library and use it consistently. Also, look up hashtags of your city/town and see what’s most popular. Check out the users and see if there are any that you could follow/like.

2) Hashtag in Comments for Searchability Benefits

Put most of your hashtags in your comments AFTER you post so it disappears when people respond, but are still searchable for people to find you.

3) Engage with your Followers 

You don’t have to follow your patrons back, but try to like some of their photos!

4) Yes, You Can Instagram from Your Computer

You cannot switch between accounts easily, but you can download an app for your desktop so that you can upload images directly from your computer to IG. We use Gramblr.

5) You Can Also Repost on IG

Follow people who post about generic literature content and repost their beautiful images on your account for more content with little work on your part! Apps like Iconosquare Websta and squarelovin will let you do this [Update: Starting April 28, 2015, Iconosquare began charging expensive fees to access their special features like reposting and statistics. I'm thoroughly disappointed with this change and have deleted my account.]

6) Learn from Your Statistics 

Pay attention to your Instagram Statistics to see what resonates well with your followers. Iconosquare mentioned in #5 will tell you what times of day people responded, your filter impact, and the top tags on IG.

7) Location, Location, Location

Always use your library as a location (Place on Map) so people can find you.

8) You Cannot Schedule Posts to Go Live

Due to IG’s API, you are NOT allowed to have an app schedule posts for you (though there are programs out there who will do it but they caution you of the risk upfront…) however, you can use apps like Latergramme which you can put your posts into a queue to later post yourself. (It only sets up a reminder, it does not publish.)

9) IG Plays Well With Facebook

Connect your account to your Facebook Page. It’ll create a new tab (next to pictures) so they can see all of your photos. Do you want to see your Instagram Feed on the menu WITHOUT clicking on the “More” button?  When you click the “more” button, you’ll see the option “Manage Tabs” and you can rearrange their order. (Who needs the review tab on the visual menu?)

10) IG Is All About That Image, 'bout That Image

People go on Instagram because they want to see beautiful pictures. It is better to not post at all than to post a lousy image. Please pay attention to that. The good news with Instagram, you don't have to post often to get attention, so make your images count.

Bonus Tip: Andriod and iOS are Not Equal

If you can choose between Android or iOS, go with the later for posting on IG. According to a conversation on Reddit, there's a noticeable difference in image quality between Andriod and iOS. However, if you only have an Android, don't let that stop you from posting on IG. There are many users with Andriods, and we're all hopeful IG will eventually fix this problem.


GARRETT PINDER is the Young Adult Services Coordinator at the Jones Library in Amherst, MA. You can follow Jones Library's Teen Department on all of the social media via @JonesLibTeens handle. You are also welcome to follow Garrett on his personal blog, http://www.booksick.com, where he writes about books, and his personal opinions and reviews.

From ALA to Zuckerberg: Librarian Facebook Groups

Are you on Facebook? Do you know of all of the library Facebook Groups that you can join and instantly connect with hundreds, in some cases thousands (and in one particular group over 10,000) other librarians?

No? Well, have no fear! The 5 Minute Librarian has compiled some of the top groups in many different areas of public librarianship. This list is no where complete (it is really hard to find these groups without knowing someone who is in them), so please post in the comments any additional groups to be included on this list!

Also note that I did not include any regional groups since they would only apply to a small number of readers, but local groups are out there! Look up your colleagues and see what groups they are part of - that may be the easiest way to find them.

ALA Graphic Novels & Comics in Libraries MIG

https://www.facebook.com/groups/284091538417404/
American Library Association's Group dedicated to Graphic Novels & Comic Books! Also find us on ALA Connect: http://connect.ala.org/graphicnovels
2,197 members

ALA Think Tank Library Think Tank - #ALATT

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ALAthinkTANK/
Librarians and library workers! Social media's space for them! We #makeithappen and #partyhard TOGETHER! We>Me
DISCLAIMER: WHILE we love the American Library Association, we are IN NO WAY affiliated with them.
33,202 members

Bossy Librarians

https://www.facebook.com/groups/208893832596915
This group came out of an ALA 2013 presentation on NextGen library leadership. We decided more needs to be done for NextGen library managers. This will be a closed group, but keep staff privacy issues in mind. Post your management successes and troubles so we all can learn!
1,265 members

Business Librarians

https://www.facebook.com/groups/buslib/
This group is dedicated to informing librarians with reference and research specialties in all aspects of business and finance of new developments and trends in business librarianship. We welcome business librarians (academic, public, corporate, etc), adjunct members like vendors of business-related research materials, and librarians of all sorts who just want to learn a little more about business research.
437 members

Collection Development Support

https://www.facebook.com/groups/CollectionDevelopmentSupport/
A place to ask for collection development suggestions and support.
469 members

Creative Librarians

https://www.facebook.com/groups/CreativeLibrarians/
This site is for all to share your ideas for crafts, programs, and activities that are a success at your libraries. Please share.
177 members

Digital Librarians & Developers In the Stacks

https://www.facebook.com/groups/763880967005882/
A lab for digital librarian developers—a place where new tech products and services for libraries and communities, media and publishing, are created and innovated—and a space for discussion. PLEASE NOTE: We must be able to verify you are a librarian and/or library-affiliated from your FB profile to approve your request to join. This is also our informal pool of librarian developer contractors we will go to when we need to hire for short-term, freelance, mostly virtual contract work.
479 members

Deeper Library Think Tank

https://www.facebook.com/groups/deepalatt/
Like #alatt, but deeper, and closed.
3,476 members

eLearning in Libraries

https://www.facebook.com/groups/459190367552515/
This is a group for anyone who is interested in developing e-learning for library purposes. We will share ideas and engage in discussion about e-learning. Public, academic, school, and special library staff are all encouraged to join. E-learning can include screencasts, tutorials, videos, and any other training delivered in an online format, and may be for library staff or patrons.
1,329 members

Elementary Librarian Exchange

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1726469570900005/
Please share but keep it elementary library oriented!
-ideas you use in your library
-issues you need help with concerning your library
-elementary book reviews
-your library's website/Facebook page/blog/Pinterest/social media/TPT page
-products you love for your library
-contests/grants related to libraries
-lesson plan links to help with library lessons
-technology ideas
-classroom collaboration ideas
3,681 members

Flannel Friday

https://www.facebook.com/groups/flannelfridayfun
Welcome to Flannel Friday's Facebook page! FF is a non-profit* international group of librarians and educators working together to share quality beyond-the-book experiences for children.
3,168 members

The Grown-up Table: Library Programs and Services for Adults

https://www.facebook.com/groups/grownuptable
Welcome! This is an open forum for discussion about anything that falls (or might fall) under the banner of library programs and services for adults. Questions can be submitted anonymously.
432 members

IFLA - LSN, Library Services to People with Special Needs

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ifla.lsn/
The Section for Library Services to People with Special Needs provides an international forum for the discussion of ideas, sharing of experiences and development of tools designed to promote and improve the effectiveness of library and information services to special needs groups, and the promotion of national and international cooperation at all levels.
2,276 members

ILLers; a FB Group For Interlibrary Loan Librarians

https://www.facebook.com/groups/172179662942180/
This is a place where you can post anything related to the libraries' resource sharing activities.
888 members

Intellectual Freedom Fighters

https://www.facebook.com/groups/456760254514041/
The Intellectual Freedom Fighters (IFF) want to get Intellectual Freedom issues on the minds, hearts, and tongues of the wider library community. We want to inform you about these issues and provoke tough conversations. We intend to create change in the wider library world. The IFF is an outgrowth of the ever-vigilant ALA Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT), which has been protecting your freedoms since 1973. [...] The IFF Group is here to get the whole library community thinking about Intellectual Freedom questions. We all face difficult issues and scary situations sometime, let's face them together. Comments are eagerly solicited, although uncivil or off topic posts may be deleted.
383 members

International Public Library Think Tank

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1954456498104274/
This is a think tank created especially for library staff in public libraries. Library ideas, concepts and trends will be discussed in a professional, respectful manner with an emphasis on advancing public librarianship.
62 members

League of Librarian Gamers - for Librarians who Play

https://www.facebook.com/groups/LeagueOfLibrarianGamers/
A group for librarians who play games of all kinds - board games, card games, RPGs, video games, tabletop games, Magic: the Gathering, miniatures, dice games, classic games. If you're a Librarian, and you play games, join this group!
2,376 members

Librarian Memes

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1709521932616653/
NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH LIBERTARIAN MEMES This is a group for sharing all your library, school, and learning memes! Invite your friends!
4,610 members

Librarians in the Northwest

https://www.facebook.com/groups/LibrariansNW/
A virtual meeting ground for librarians and library professionals in the Pacific Northwest interested in talking about how to #makeithappen in their library spaces.
1,444 members

Libraries & Information Technology: Making FarmVille Work Better

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1411955635742429/
A place for those who work in public & academic library IT departments to network & share advice. This is a closed group, so feel free to be candid.
213 members

Libraries and the Opioid Crisis

https://www.facebook.com/groups/librariesopioidcrisis/about/
As library staff see the opioid crisis impacting patrons and communities, this group provides a way to share research, news, and strategies to respond.
295 members

Librarians For Social Justice

https://www.facebook.com/groups/libs.social.justice/about/
Our Mission Statement: Through volunteering and fundraising projects, Librarians for Social Justice works toward creating a more equitable and just society.  We actively engage with our community, on a local and global scale, in order to turn information into action.
99 members

Libraries & Social Media

https://www.facebook.com/groups/LibrarySocial/
This is a group for anyone working professionally in social media for their library, or those curious about what it's like.
8,561 members

Libraries Step Up (in times of crisis)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/libcrisis
Our mission is to kick ass and save the day, library-style. We're a centralized location for collecting and disseminating information about urgent political or natural disasters' effects on libraries and library services.
1,051 members

Library Cons and Fests

https://www.facebook.com/groups/LibraryConsAndFests/
A group for libraries and librarians to share information related to holding conventions and festivals of all kinds, from book fairs to comic cons.
701 members

Library Coffee Shop Talk

https://www.facebook.com/groups/188470881170938/
Enjoy your hot beverage and enjoy a light virtual conversation with other library minded folks.
795 members

Library Employee Support Network

https://www.facebook.com/groups/toxic.libraries
A place where librarians can gather and talk about abusive workplaces anonymously and safely and also get support and advice from colleagues. Email LESN.share and admin will post your comments anonymously. *OR* You can post from our anonymous Facebook account (ask one of the admins for the password).
5,563 members

Library Entrepreneurship & Maker Services

https://www.facebook.com/groups/startup.library/
More and more, libraries are becoming places of active, connected learning. We have also stepped up to the plate to help the jobless and career-changers in our communities rejoin the workforce. This group is where we will be discussing new ways that libraries can support makers, job hunters, the business-curious, freelancers, career changers, builders, startups, entrepreneurs, and existing businesses. Let's make business and maker support as visible as storytime. Library Entrepreneurship & Maker Services is an official Member Interest Group of the American Library Association: http://www.ala.org/groups/mcoms/migs Visual resources are being collected here: http://www.pinterest.com/libent/
1,652 members

Library Marketing and Communications Conference (LMCC Discussion Group)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/LMCC.Discussion.Group/
Library Marketing and Communications Conference Group - join in the conversation about issues related to library marketing and communications. The Library Marketing and Communications Conference connects marketing, public relations, special events, fundraising, outreach, and program development professionals for public and academic libraries.
967 members

Library Marketing and Outreach

https://www.facebook.com/groups/740944219278343/
Library Marketing and Outreach is an Interest Group of the Association of College & Research Libraries, a division of the American Library Association. Please share ideas and events from your libraries! This group is for:
- Sharing ideas, resources, websites, software, etc. to help us market our libraries and their services. Emphasis on FREE or low cost resources!
- Show off the work you do: your success stories and your failures, ask for help from others, and plan for local meet ups in your state to exchange ideas!
3,874 members

Library Management Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1524906657799350/
This group is for topics related to library management- supervising, programming, budgets, advocacy, outreach, etc. Feel free to ask for advice, start a conversation, or rant. Though this is intended to be a safe environment, please be careful when discussing sensitive personnel matters. No sales pitches, advertising, bullying, harassment, or any other obnoxious behaviors will be tolerated.
3,376 members

Library Pokémon GO Support #PokeLibrary

https://www.facebook.com/groups/pokelibrary/
Support for libraries who are experimenting with Pokémon GO programming and outreach. What to share here: your program ideas, your publicity samples, your event photos, news and commentary, funny memes appropriate for use on social media, research and analysis, trends you notice,and anything else you think might be helpful.
878 members

Library and Information Professionals

https://www.facebook.com/groups/457656001020762/
A forum for sharing ideas and information around the future of libraries around the world.
3,092 members

Library Related People

https://www.facebook.com/groups/libraryrelatedpeeps/
This is a Facebook group that welcomes all library related people. If you work in any library related capacity, intend to do so, or are plain interested we want you!
3,235 members

LibraryAware Lab

https://www.facebook.com/groups/lalab/
Let's talk and share the library advocacy and marketing challenges and successes. Here we can ask each other questions and get a little more information so we can get to better solutions. LibraryAware Lab is a place to discuss, share, collaborate, and learn about what works and what doesn't work.
1,257 members

MakerSpaces and the Participatory Library

https://www.facebook.com/groups/librarymaker
An open space for collaboration and sharing about MakerSpaces, digital media labs, and participatory/community spaces in libraries. Let's share ideas, failures, successes, and resources!
4,663 members

Millennial Programming Ideas

https://www.facebook.com/groups/millennialprogramming/
Share ideas on programs you have created for 18-30 somethings or ask if you have any questions!
441 members

Minecraft in Libraries

https://www.facebook.com/groups/minecraftinlibraries/
The purpose of this group is to share thoughts, ideas and tips about hosting a Minecraft server in a public library setting. One of the biggest tricks is to have a great group of administrators who are dedicated to making sure that the server remains a positive community that is welcoming to one and all.
636 members

Museums + Libraries

https://www.facebook.com/groups/878024828888385/
A forum for library & museum professionals to exchange ideas & be all up in each other's business. John Cotton Dana is our mascot. Cross-pollination is our jam.
740 members

Music Librarians

https://www.facebook.com/groups/157147244323011/
569 members

Outside the Lines

https://www.facebook.com/groups/getoutsidethelines/
Outside the Lines is a weeklong celebration – Sept. 13-19, 2015 – demonstrating the creativity and innovation happening in libraries. Participating in Outside the Lines? This is a place to share ideas for events, campaigns and guerrilla marketing tactics for this fall's celebration of libraries. Inspiration, suggestions and questions welcome! Find out more at http://getoutsidethelines.org/
1,200 members

Paging America: Advocate for Your Public Library!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/113676302125880/
How do you support your public library? Let us count the ways! Share your advocacy tips, tools and genius ideas with library advocates and patrons around the world.
568 members

Programming Librarian Interest Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/698178656926704
To bring together all types of librarians interested in public programming for their patrons. Programming is an intrinsically essential library service. The Programming Librarian Interest Group helps librarians advocate for programming at their own institutions, share program ideas and successful strategies, and provides a space for professional development by librarians who do programming officially and unofficially as part of their job duties. The group is also be a vehicle for ALA members to connect more dynamically with ALA’s Public Programming Office.
9,286 members

R-Squared Risktakers

https://www.facebook.com/groups/rsquaredconf/
The R-Squared Risktakers group is a place to share how you've put your ideas from #rsq12 into practice. Share risks, challenges, triumphs and creative ideas. Whether you were at the conference or just love disrupting conventions, this is a place for free exchange.
302 members

RDA Cafe

https://www.facebook.com/groups/RDACafe/
RDA Cafe is a group for library and information science students, and professional librarians and catalogers, as well as, anyone interested in and working with Resource Description and Access (RDA). It’s a place to discuss RDA and topics of current interest pertaining to cataloging and description of bibliographic data, as well as, to share resources, and get the latest news. This is an unofficial group, and it is not owned by JSC for Development of RDA.
1,799 members

Readers' Advisory for Library Staff

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ReadersAdvisory/
For when someone asks you about a book they can't remember the title of, you're trying to find a read-a-like of something of which you've never heard, or you just want a recommendation for what to read next. Questions about other forms of media are also welcome!
1,029 members

REFORMA Think Tank

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Reformathinktank/
Welcome to the REFORMA Think Tank. REFORMA is the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking. In this space, librarians, community members, and activists who serve the Latino and Spanish speaking communities in the United States and beyond will be able to share ideas, recommendations, and benchmarks to support each other in providing better services to our communities.
665 members

The Shareable Clique

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ShareableClique
A Facebook Group for libraries and book lovers to share their viral content that can be reshared on other Facebook accounts. What works well at your library that may work well at other libraries? Share your successes, increase your outreach, and help other libraries build their audiences!
2,515 members

Solo Librarians Network

https://www.facebook.com/groups/739055509526456/
Solo librarians (and librarians who work in small libraries) can come here to share ideas and engage in discussion. Librarians in any sort of institution (public, academic, school, corporate) are welcome!
503 members

STEM in Libraries

https://www.facebook.com/groups/STEMinLibraries/
For library professionals interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programming in libraries; a place to connect and share ideas.
1,690 members

Storytime Underground

https://www.facebook.com/groups/storytimeunderground/
Storytime Underground is a collective of youth services librarians and professionals who firmly believe literacy is not a luxury. Our mission is threefold: We support each other; we promote each other; and we train each other.
10,526 members

Storytimes And More on the Go

https://www.facebook.com/groups/storytimesandmoreonthego/
A place for Children's librarians and staff who conduct outreach to come together and share ideas. Outreach is and has become so much more than just storytime for many libraries. Reaching out into our communities and letting them know what's available to them is such a valuable tool for all libraries. We are on Pinterest ~ http://pinterest.com/storytimesa/ ~ and on Twitter ~ https://twitter.com/StorytimesToGo ~ Please follow us!
1,724 members

Tattooed Librarians

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2431775521/
For librarians with tattoos!
1,891 members

Technology Training and Libraries

https://www.facebook.com/groups/215892381802232/
A resource for technology training for staff and the public. This is a place where ideas and resources can be shared.
2,770 members

Teen Librarians

https://www.facebook.com/groups/618059348208569
Welcome! This is a space for library workers to share ideas about serving the teens in their community.
3,018 members

Teen Services Underground

https://www.facebook.com/groups/407834692712782/
Our mission is to support, promote, advocate, and build a community space to highlight the importance of teen services in minding the gap. We know how hard teen services can be and we want to help!
4,285 members

Teen Think Tank

https://www.facebook.com/groups/192137410961794
Teen Think Tank all started with three teen librarians who like to collaborate. Rikki Unterbrink (Amos Memorial Library), Erin Gillespie (Findlay-Hancock County Public Library), and Steve Moser (Dayton Metro Library) would share ideas and help brainstorm on a regular basis. One day we realized that it would be great to get even more people sharing ideas and helping to brainstorm when needed. Teen Think Tank is what became of that conversation.
1,079 members

Tiny Library Think Tank

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1547323442210920/
Welcome to the Tiny Library Think Tank!... Please feel free to ask questions about anything related to issues that affect those of us working in very small library systems - collection development, programming, policy creation, community outreach, retroactive automation, book repair, building maintenance, and more. Members of this group understand that tiny libraries do not often have HR departments, retained lawyers, multiple MLS-degreed librarians, or many other resources that are available to employees of larger library systems, even systems that may technically be considered "small" or "rural".
242 members

Troublesome Catalogers and Magical Metadata Fairies

https://www.facebook.com/groups/161813927168408/
A place for catalogers, metadata librarians, and those who admire them. Grab your wands and raise some Hell. ;c)
4,233 members

WordPress and Librarians

https://www.facebook.com/groups/wordpress.librarians/
This group is for librarians using WordPress.
1,475 members

Zine Librarians

https://www.facebook.com/groups/zinelibrarians/
A group to talk about zine librarianship! How to build a collection, how to catalogue zines, how to organize zine events, and more! All zine librarians and archivists are welcome: academic, digital, DIY, public, school, volunteer, etc.
444 members

Special thanks to Patrick Sweeney, Laura Hollister, and Austin Stroud for their help in compiling the original list! Additional groups have been added as we find them. (There was also a repost of this article in MakingItHappen.)

Note: Member numbers have been updated to February 16, 2018. Please check back later for any updates! Inactive groups will be removed yearly.

Remember -- sharing is caring! If you join a new group due to this list, please tweet, email, or post about this blog post. It'll warm my little librarian heart that the hours I spent on this list were indeed helpful!

10 Meaningful Library Volunteer Roles

Library volunteers - we all get the requests, but what to do with them? There is just only so much dusting, weeding, children programming prep, and mending you can have them do. Below are some ideas that have been successful at other libraries, especially for teens and adults. Please keep in mind - some union contracts may not allow certain tasks to be performed by volunteers, so before you do anything, make sure you double check with your Director what you can and cannot have a volunteer do.

Window Artists

  If your volunteers are artistic, get them to work on your windows! All they need are brushes, tempera paint, and a dab of dish soap (just to make it easier to wash off afterwards). You could have them paint advertisements of upcoming events or you can do seasonal themes. Better yet – pick out a children’s picture book and ask them to paint an inspiration from it, then you can put the book on display.

Children's Room windows at the Marlborough Public Library. Teens painted their inspirations from The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle 

Outreach Specialists

  Is there any library that does this enough? Find outgoing people who are willing to promote library services and resources at community events and festivals. They can even bring library card registration forms or a floating book collection, which we discussed a few months back.

Program Facilitators

   Tap into your volunteer’s passion. What kind of programs could they run at the library and you provide the advertising? Pikes Peak Library District has a manga artist run their anime meetings as well as teachers to run their ESL circles and teach foreign languages.  Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box! Alachua County Library District has local history aides staffed by volunteers.

Shelf Managers

   By far, this is the favorite position our teens enjoy at our library. We train them to be shelf readers and they spend half their time making sure their section is in order and the other half of the time shifting books. If you have any pages, see if you can match your shelf mangers to a page and have the page supervise their work. (If people are unable to pass the shelf reading test, have them only focus on shifting books. There's always plenty of work to be done there.)

Library Photographers

   Train a few photographers to come in and take pictures of your big events or final products. We include a photo release with our online registration so we can easily know ahead of time who we can photograph, but we also give the photographers permission forms to hand out if needed. Make sure they download their favorite pictures on your computer BEFORE they leave, or you may never get them. This program has been very beneficial for our social media networks and our website -- and all of our library photographers are teen volunteers. Note: Make sure you credit them for their work! They like to see their name attached to their pictures. Also, consider investing in a DSLR camera. The picture quality greatly increases, even if you just use the auto mode.

Photo Credit: MPL Photographer, Lauren Munday

Social Media Managers

   Social media can easily eat up a lot of anyone’s time, especially if you're trying to post on Facebook twice a day. There’s no reason why a librarian needs to manage these accounts 24/7. Volunteers can help post new information that may interest patrons (if you don’t want to link them directly to your account, you can have them email you links) and there are 3^rd party apps for Instagram like Iconosquare which will let you repost content, so your volunteers will only need to tag you and you can reshare. Create a content guideline and find ways to divide up the work!

Collection Assistants

     Use volunteers to help you fine-tune your collection. Print out reports of missing books so they can double check they are not on the shelves and then you can delete them. Have them look up your series (fiction, manga, and graphic novels) and make a list of missing books for you to order. If you put stickers on your books (like Teen’s Top Ten), have them hunt them out and add them.

Technology Gurus

     Some libraries let volunteers work one-on-one with patrons. Other libraries tap into their skills to help keep up with their own computers like installing updates and reimaging laptops so all the junk is cleared off of them and they won't slow down. You know, the things that you know you should be doing, but never have time to do...

Library Marketers

    The more you market your programs, the more the community will know about them. A volunteer can easily post all of your events online like Patch.com, your local newspapers, and most especially the local TV station. They could deliver fliers around the city/town. They can hand stacks of the library newsletters to local grocery stores and hair salons. They could write up press releases and news articles about programs past which you can send to the local newspapers. They could even help create ads for your website and social media, if you like their artistic style (Remember Canva? It can do wonders, if you have the time!).

Find Your Passion and Turn It Into a Volunteer Opportunity

     South Brunswick Public Library has a puppeteer program where they teach teens how to do a show and then the teens perform for children at the library. Marlborough Public Library had a 4D Movie presentation of Frozen where teens engaged all of the five senses during the movie. Louisville Public Library has a Reading Buddies program that connect struggling young readers with teens to practice reading each semester. None of these are quick volunteer opportunities, but they give volunteers a chance to learn a new skill, be very creative, and provide a program to local patrons. It could be very rewarding!

Summer Bonus

Is your library buzzing with patrons unable to find their school's required summer reading books? Consider doing what Shrewsbury Public Library did and create teen greeters. They sit at table near the door with school book lists in hand. They are trained to find the books on the shelves and, if they are all checked out, they can help patrons request the book from another library. Summer chaos avoided!

Catch Patrons' Attention with These 7 Easy Flyer Tips

This week I am excited to announce that we have a guest blogger, Dan Barbour from Shrewsbury Public Library. He is a YA Librarian who has excelled in flyer design that has sold out events. Today, he is going to share a few tricks that he's learned along the way.

I've worked in libraries over half my life, and while I've seen many different aspects of library programming surge forward into new and exciting territories, one important element that is often left in the Stone Age is event marketing. I've been designing library program ads since before I could drive a car, and I've learned a few basic tips which I'm going to share. Do with these pointers what you wish, but I can assure you, programs don't always sell themselves, and a few tricks can be the difference between a room of empty seats and a successful program. There are many programs you can use to make a sign, but I highly recommend investing in Adobe Illustrator - the flexibility is so much better. (Jess Note: but if you cannot afford Adobe Illustrator or are intimidated by its learning curve, check out our post about Canva) Here we go…

1. Less (Text) is More

* The rule of seven lines for text is a good guideline to shoot for, but many times you need more, so try using boxes/blocks to break up text. Some programs require a full presenter bio and/or sponsorship information that you cannot edit or leave off…make this as small as possible not to discourage readers. If it looks like it’s going to take too long to read a sign, most people won’t read it at all.

* If there is information that isn't crucial to your sign, in all cases leave it off the sign!

* Consider adding a QR code and/or website link for additional text that you in turn can leave off the sign. Interested readers will then have the option to learn more. The site www.qrstuff.com is a great free and simple resource for creating QR codes. Even if people don’t use the QR code, it makes your sign look more modern and “with it”!

2. Don't Go Font Crazy

* With the exception of company logos, keep your signs to no more than three different fonts. Also choose fonts that are simple to read, especially from a distance.

* Sites such as www.dafont.com allow you to download free fonts that look better than the standard set that could make your sign look less professional.

3. Use Size and Space to Your Advantage

* Use the space you have - don’t be afraid to make your text as big as will fit the area you are working with.

* Play around with the alignments (center, right, left, justified) – in many cases center aligned looks the best.

* Some signs need TONS of information and you cannot get around it. To make this excess text look better, consider using an inverted text box like this:

4. Watch Your Colors

* Be careful with colors – using yellow text on white is one example of a bad idea (which I have seen used more than once!). Here is a guide to complementary colors – I find it a useful tool when thinking about what colors to pick when designing an event ad - http://www.tigercolor.com/color-lab/color-theory/color-harmonies.htm

5. Convey Your Message Through Font Size

* Focus on the point/message when choosing which text to enlarge and which text to keep small. Example:

With this kind of sign, the topic is that the Library is closing, so that should be what is emphasized. Adding the year is not necessary in most cases – we wouldn't be posting a sign like this a year in advance, and people know that if the sign is on the window at the library, the sign pertains to the library – those details shouldn't be equal in size to your reason for posting the sign.

6. Get Graphic

* Adding clipart is similar to adding text in that too much can look overcrowded and take away from the message of your sign. That being said, it’s nice to have signs that aren't just all text. (See post from last September about 123RF.com for free quality images)

* If you are advertising a recurring event and have photos from the last program, use those. People love to see real depictions of the program as opposed to cheesy stock clipart. They also will be more likely to show the sign to their friends since they are starring in it.

7. To-Go Signs

* Sometimes no matter how amazing your sign looks, those reading it get busy and forget everything they just read. I've found it very helpful to make a small sign and have a pocket attached (I use old date due card pockets!) with miniature versions containing just the very basic information. It’s also exciting to see how fast these slips go – a great way to gauge interest in a program, especially if it’s a drop in event.

Those are some simple tips than can elevate your sign making, but the best way to make a great sign is simply to play around and do it often. Practice does indeed make perfect….or at least better. So the next time you’re ready to send off a sign to a bunch of your area libraries asking them to post an event sign, be proud of what you’re distributing!


DAN BARBOUR is the Young Adult Librarian/Volunteer Coordinator at the Shrewsbury Public Library in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. He has spoken at MLA, NELA, and other conferences/workshops on information literacy, youth programming, and advertising events in libraries. He is also the owner of Vertigo Trivia (www.facebook.com/VertigoTrivia), an interactive event service for libraries, restaurants, and cooperate/private events.

Ready to Go Book Display: Knitting

Welcome to our series, "Ready to Go!" Book Display. Once a month, we'll highlight the latest or greatest for every age group (Adults, Teens and Children) that you can promote within your library or order for your collection. 

My library is starting a new monthly knitting group for adults and the patrons are really excited. With that in mind, I've been inspired to share new knitting titles this month.

Recommendations for Adults:

No-Sew Knits: 20 Flattering, Finish Free Garments by Kristen Tendyke (Dec 2014)

Kristen Tendyke will teach you how to knit the perfect sweater - no assembly required.

More Monster Knit for Little Monsters by Nuriya Khegay (Jan 2015)
A follow-up to Monster Knits for Little Monsters, get ready for another adorable collection of 20 animal-themed hat and mitten sets for babies and toddlers.

 Animal Hats to Knit by Luise Roberts (Jan 2015)
Adults and children alike with love this collection of adorable knitted hats, including a funky fox, huggable bear, and an elegant grasshopper.

Fun and Fantastical Slippers to Knit by Mary Scott Huff (Dec 2014)
Add a little fun to indoor footwear.

Yarn, Yarn, Yarn: 50 Fun Crochet and Knitting Projects to Color Your World by Susanna Zacke and Sania Hedengren (Nov 2014)
Follow interior decorators Susanne and Sania as they redesign their world with vivid colors and playful patterns.

Knitting Wizardry: 27 Spellbinding Projects by Amy Clarke Moore (Aug 2014)
An enchanted knitting collection that will take readers deep into the realm of wizards, witches, and magical creatures.

Sockupied: 20 Knit Projects to Satisfy Your Sock Obsession by Anne Merrow (Aug 2014)
A collection of 20 sock patterns for the first time in book form from the eMag Sockupied.

Recommendations for Teens:

Faux Taxidermy Knits: 15 Wild Animal Knitting Patterns by Louise Walker (Oct 2014)

Tap into the trend for taxidermy inspired craft projects in knitting form.

Knit Your Own Zombie by Fiona Goble (Dec 2012)
From your traditional living-dead moaners to the hard-partying Zombie Rock Star and deliciously evil Zombie Chef, each one of these creatures is easy to knit and hard to kill.

Huge & Huggable Mochimochi by Anna Hrachovec (Oct 2013)
20 large-scale knitting projects from a massive monster truck to a pirate pillow pal.

Knit Your Own Moustache by Vicky Eames (June 2013)
Become a punk, a Victorian gent, a gnome, or even a pirate - all it takes is one of these 20 knitted disguises.

Recommendations for Children:

Cool Knitting for Kids by Alex Kuskowski (Sept 2014)

Part of the Cool Fiber Art series, this book provides step-by-step, illustrated instructions for knitting projects including mitts, scarf, and bag.

The Mitten String by Jennifer Rosner and Kristina Swarner (Oct 2014)

Ruthie Tober's family is known for the beautiful, warm mittens they knit so when she and her mother meet a deaf woman and her baby and give them shelter,, Ruthie decides to design very special mittens for them.

Knit Your Bit: A World War I Story by Deborah Hopkinson (Feb 2013)

Mikey's dad has left home to fight overseas during World War I, and Mikey wants to do something BIG to help.

My First Knitting Book by Claire Montgomerie (July 2013)

Teaches children ages 7+ how to knit different stitches and patterns.

10 Facebook Tips Patrons Wish Their Libraries Knew

Every library knows it should be on social media. After all, that is where patrons are. But what they don't know could actually be hurting them. Thankfully, you have the 5 Minute Librarian here to tell you the ins and outs.

1. Post Often or Not At All

A Facebook page is not a Facebook Person Account. Your followers are not going to see all of your posts. If you're not posting often, they're very likely not seeing many of them. All of that work, for nothing... Might as well just close your account.

2. But Not Too Often

Of course, if you post too often, people will stop following you. One rule of thumb that I keep hearing about for libraries is to post twice a day. A serious library post in the morning and a fun post in the evening. In a future blog post, we’ll talk about scheduling posts, the pros and cons and 3rd party applications that can make your life easier.

3. Don't Be So Self Focused

Everyone in social media will tell you that you blog 1/3 of the time on your content and 2/3s you share outside content. This is actually a good thing. If you are posting twice a day, you will have to post about more than your library. Thankfully for you, there is much at your disposal. You can repost from local businesses, newspapers, schools, communities, and your city/town. You can share information about books and movies based on books. You can connect to current events with your collection... Stay tuned for a future blog post about how to easily find things to share and boost your post numbers.

4. Pictures are Worth a Thousand Words

Always include a visual with your posts. Studies show that it greatly increases the amount of people who click on your content. As we mentioned in a previous post, you can go to Library Market and sign up for access to a Dropbox Folder of Library content you can publish. And you can easily create your own using Canva.

5.  You Live and Die by Clicks and Likes!

Do what you have to do to get interactions from your followers. The bottom line is - the more people who interact with your post, the more Facebook will share it onto other people's feeds. This is a good thing! Even click bait is a worthy technique (i.e. click here to learn...), if your patrons like to click on the links and they're being redirected to worthy content. NOTE: We just started a new Facebook Group called The Shareable Clique for libraries to share their successful posts. Join the group to find new content to reshare on your own library page and to post about your triumphs!

6. Don't Kiss and Tell

You don't need to post EVERYTHING on Facebook. Yes, your library may offer a lot of programs, but you can skip the ones which aren't of high interest. Remember - if you post things that people aren't interacting with, it hurts your future reach.

7. Pay Attention to Your Facebook Insights

So, what are people interacting with? Well, Facebook has an insight page that shares exactly this information. Check it out frequently. Try new things and see what resonates with your followers. Then imitate. If you need a list of ideas of things you can try, check out Boom Social's 17 Killer Facebook Posts for Small Businesses.

8. Seriously, You Have Time for Facebook Insights

I cannot stress enough how important it is to pay attention to what your readers are responding to. Here is a gold mine of what they like, what information they want, and what time they're able to read it -- why not tap into it and get the most bang for your efforts? The more readers who see your content, the more they'll know about your library and the more they'll care about you, too. We're working on a future blog post that will talk about different ways people have succeeded on Facebook that you can try out.

9. Tell Followers They Can Be Notified of ALL Your Posts

If your patrons do not want to miss a post from the library, tell them that they can sign up for notifications for every post. They just need to go to your page and click on the arrow on the "Liked" box and then check off notifications. Advertise this fact often!

10. Try a Facebook Ad 

It is actually very successful for some libraries. It isn't that expensive and it actually reaches your nonusers in a way that no other library advertising can -- right in their homes.

BONUS Tip: Be Kind To Other Libraries

One thing that many librarians do is follow other libraries. If you're doing this, please interact with their pages. Just lurking will actually hurt their outreach numbers.

Interested in Facebook? Check out our other blog posts!

8 Free Ways to Boost Your Library's Facebook Reach

15 Viral Content Ideas for Your Library's FB Page! (Part 1)

15 More Viral Content Ideas for Your Library's FB Page! (Part 2)

9 Ways to Place Library eBooks into the Hands of Readers

How do you advertise your eBook collection? Check out the ways other libraries are doing it!:

OverDrive wrote a great post about Sacramento Public Library's eBook advertisements. They created stickers for their books, announcing it is also available in eBook format.

They also made shelf talkers with QR Codes on the back to alert patrons. They even provided examples any library can copy and modify.

Overdrive also created their own sticker and shelf talker templates that you can modify to your library's URL.

ACRL's blog highlighted a different kind of eBook shelf marker from Florida International University. This one is laminated and has a call number on the other side, discouraging users from bringing the cards home with them. Might be a GREAT idea for summer reading books?

Or, instead of laminating a shelf marker, you can do what Brisbane Grammar Libraries did and order these plastic holders which are magnetic on top so they sit directly on the shelf:

Barbara Plum also shared a display she made for her school library, printing out pictures of eBook covers inside iPad frames. Very cool and easy to do!

But if you only have a bulletin board, why not put together a display there? Love this one from Clear Falls Library:

And don't forget that you can advertise your eBooks outside of the library. Michael Stephens took this picture at the local airport where Traverse Area District Library advertise their eBooks. I would love to see more of these around trains and bus stations, too.

Oletangy Liberty Middle School actually has a kiosk right in their school library, encouraging students to check out the public library's collection of e-content: eBooks, music, audio books, and films. It is a touch screen and students only need a library card and the app to download up to 10 items at a time. This project cost them $1,850 since they already owned all of the content. (Not sure if they used the 3M kiosk pictured below, but I wanted to provide a visual.)

Happy eBook advertising in 5 minutes!