Libraries have been interested in using Facebook since its inception in 2004. LSU Libraries created a Facebook page in 2008 to connect with students and faculty. Over 125 university libraries have Facebook pages, with fan numbers ranging from under 20 to over 1,500. LSU Libraries currently has 400 fans. The page is used to share library resources, events, hours and other information with the LSU community. Photos and posts from the LSU Libraries page can reach over 125,000 fans through the main LSU Facebook page. While Facebook may decline someday, libraries will continue engaging users through emerging technologies.

1. Libraries on Facebook: We like this!

2. What is it? Established in 2004 at Harvard University Developed by undergraduate student Mark Zuckerberg Just hit 350 million users Gained its popularity by creating collegiate “networks,” then expanded to high schools, and now everyone Reportedly the 4th most-trafficked website and the most-trafficked social media site in the world Top three trafficked sites (worldwide) are Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo

3. A word on the readings… Neither of the readings that go along with this discussion were GREAT Most of the “research” written on FB is informal, and by people not intimately familiar with the technology Rutgers, for example, didn’t seem to understand the difference between “group” and “fan” pages, and how differently they push out the information Both articles seem hung on high expectations versus low return Low return? What is expected of a Facebook page? The goals aren’t clearly defined…

4. Universities & FB Students Reports describe that at least 85% of all university students have active Facebook accounts Faculty Not much research has been completed on faculty use of FB However, a quick glance at the LSU Libraries fans reveals quite a few faculty members are, indeed, on Facebook Universities, and Departments LSU fans (125, 300)—users are treating this page as a discussion board! Trend of “battling” fan pages Lost of small departments are now beginning to have a FB presence (ex: LSU Procurement Auxiliary Services—currently at 46 fans) Libraries Libraries have been interested in using Facebook from the very beginning Interestingly, FB was shutting down groups that acted like individuals, which is how the “fan” pages started LSU Libraries gained a fan page in September 2008

5. Options for Academic Libraries on FB Type of presence Group pages Fan pages “User” page (library as an individual) Applications (just a few examples) Twitter Library catalog CiteMe (by OCLC) Communication & branding Re-post blog posts and/or press releases Hours and closings Highlight special resources Outreach

6. Academic Libraries & LSU Libraries LSU Libraries compared with other libraries on FB Over 125 university libraries in Facebook Number of fans range from less than 20 to over 1,500 Currently, LSU Libraries has 400 fans! Some are very active and post several times a week We do! Many also use Twitter in conjunction with Facebook We do! Some libraries have Facebook pages for different departments (e.g., Reference, Media Services, Music Resources, Special Collections) We’ve chosen to collaborate on one page, which means that we have a little something for everyone!

7. LSU Undergraduate Students’ Use of FB From Fall 2009 Survey (Porter, Ryan, Miller) 92% of students use FB at least once a month 46% of students surveys check FB daily (this is consistent with Facebook statistics, showing that 50% of all users log in daily) For comparison, only 24% of LSU students have a MySpace account LSU Students use their selected social networking site because: To stay in touch with friends/family (50%) To keep track of important social issues and events (20%) To stay in touch with academic/professional contacts (12%)

8. LSU Libraries FB Initiatives Put the library in user space Give LSU Libraries a friendly space and face Showcase resources LSU’s Louisiana Digital Library images Databases Government documents Publicize events, hours, and other information Enhance communication between LSU Libraries and the LSU community Enhance communication between LSU Libraries and the library community on Facebook

9. Statistics & Popularity Images from the Louisiana Digital Library Veterans Day image = 330 views at the LDL The Twitter connection… Interestingly, photos Tweeted gained more statistics than photos just Facebooked… Photo stats from FB “wall” photos Range from 0 views (on non-post days) to 38 views on picture-post days Activity on page Comments, likes, and questions Level of involvement Information and images get pushed out

10. The LSU Facebook Fan page copied our Labor Day post, and exposed it to their 125,316 fans.

11. Web 2.0 Technologies When Facebook fades…? It WILL, eventually, fade (for various potential reasons) We’ll take the lessons we learned from the experience, and apply it to the next thing As always, weighing the resources required to succeed, and how success is defined with the new technologies The LSU Libraries Blog and Twitter account also demonstrate this concept (although blogs seem a more stable technology than Twitter, currently)