1. Twitterpated!
Leanna Simpkins
Leanna.simpkins@eagles.usm.edu

2. What is Twitter?
 Social Networking Web Site
 Micro-blogging
 140 characters or less
 Messages are called “Tweets”
 Users have friends or “followers”
 Web Site to talk about “What’s Happening?”
Image Courtesy of Twitter
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3. Common Uses of Twitter
 Instant Updates
 Fire Departments use Twitter to keep the community apprised
of fire emergencies.
 News
 Users can get up to the minute updates from many news
agencies.
 Friends and family
 Majority of Twitter users use it to keep friends and family
apprised of what they’re doing at any given moment.
http://websearch.about.com/od/blogsforumssocialsites/qt/twitter.htm
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4. Twitter’s Popularity
 Easy to use.  Instant popularity with
 Does not require technical friends and followers.
know-how.  Instant social fan club.
 Short messages.  Celebrities can follow
 Grammar isn’t important. anyone and respond
 Feel like a part of directly to anyone as well.
something great.  Great way to network and
 Easy to get followers. market new ideas.
http://www.blogbloke.com/twitter-popular/
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5. How Do I Tweet
 Go to http://twitter.com
 Set up an account
 Fill out profile information
 Search for people you
know or wish to follow
 Type messages about
“What’s Happening”.
 Check Twitter frequently
Image courtesy of Twitter
http://support.twitter.com/groups/31-twitter-basics
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6. Twittering Libraries
 It’s quick, easy, and free
 Creates community
 Expands the reach of the library
 Makes the library more accessible
 Great for public relations
 Libraries need a strong online presence
http://lis5313.ci.fsu.edu/wiki/index.php/Twittering_Libraries
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7. How Libraries Can Use Twitter
 For library announcements
 To post news such as special events, holiday hours, exhibits,
new book arrivals
 A reference service
 Networking with other libraries and librarians
 A short newsletter
 Customer service
 To send alerts about requested materials
 Another communication tool with patrons
http://lis5313.ci.fsu.edu/wiki/index.php/Twittering_Libraries
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8. Twitter Pros
 Efficiency
 Powerful and quick way to get news out about the library
 Marketing/Public Relations
 Excellent way to increase online presence
 Free
 Accessible, easy to use
 Brevity
 Messages must be brief and to the point
 Collaboration and Networking
 Work with other libraries
LIS 557
http://lis5313.ci.fsu.edu/wiki/index.php/Twittering_Libraries
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9. Twitter Cons
 Messages are too short
 Patrons have not quite
caught on
 Another thing to update
 Time-waster
 Lack of colleague support
 Technological Problems
Twitter’s Fail Whale – seen when the Web
Site reaches full capacity.
Image courtesy of Twitter
http://lis5313.ci.fsu.edu/wiki/index.php/Twittering_Libraries
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10. Helpful Resources
 http://lis5313.ci.fsu.edu/wiki/index.php/Twittering_Libr
aries
 http://support.twitter.com/groups/31-twitter-
basics/topics/104-welcome-to-twitter-
support/articles/166337-the-twitter-glossary
 http://support.twitter.com/groups/31-twitter-
basics/topics/104-welcome-to-twitter-
support/articles/100990-how-to-sign-up-on-twitter
 http://www.libsuccess.org/index.php?title=Twitter
 http://support.twitter.com/articles/18311-the-twitter-
rules
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11. Thank you for your attention.
Any thoughts and ideas on how to
use Twitter in your library?
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