Libraries on Facebook: should we or shouldn't we?

With the increasing popularity of Facebook (89% growth from 2006 to 2007)*, libraries are trying to reach out to patrons by creating library related groups, pages, applications, polls and flyers. When I was preparing a conference presentation on Social Networking and the Libraries, I collected many examples of such activities. Their efficiency, however, is difficult to measure and I would love to hear from those of you who had success with them.

The first thing that comes to mind when we talk about library presence on Facebook are groups. In my opinion, groups created by students, like I smuggle food into the UTSC library or our own I Secretly Watch Myself as I Walk by Those Mirrored Windows of the MSVU Library, are more popular than those created by librarians. Is there a way for us to make our groups more fun/interesting/useful?

Then there are Facebook pages. I counted 399 library pages with somewhere in between 20 to 150 fans. Like groups, pages can be more than just a list of fans/members. The more advanced ones sport event notices, photos, videos, instant messaging widgets and library apps. A usual library application that users can add to their profiles or access from the library group/page allow to browse library catalogues, a-z journal lists etc.

Finally, libraries can use Facebook to display flyers on their patrons' pages. When we were having late night hours in the MSVU library during the exams, we displayed a promo flyer 7,000 times for less than $10. You can also interact with patrons using Facebook polls. For instance, UMichigan librarians polled users in the Michigan network on their preferred method for getting research help from librarians**.

Should libraries build a presence on Facebook? I think they should, because even a less popular page is better than no page at all, since it will remind the patrons that you exist. And if you use your imagination and make it attractive, it could become an efficient marketing tool. What do you think?

* http://www.comscore.com/press/release.asp?press=1519
**http://userslib.com/2007/07/12/facebook-users-prefer-in-person-librarian-interactions/