Reaching into the community...

Woodenlegs Library posts information about upcoming events, new releases, and announcements on our Facebook page. However, there is so much room for growth on our page.

I like to use Facebook for promotions because it is evident when I walk through the library that the majority of our users are on Facebook.  It's a free marketing tool that has already engaged so many of our patrons.  And as a library, in the dissemination of information, it is clear that this is the platform so many users are gathering their information from.

My plan is to construct a brand package for the library.  Why build a brand?  A brand is a promise to our users of the service we are going to provide. It is reflected in our interactions, our users' experience, our reputation, and the "feeling" of the library.  These emotional responses are all linked physically by the colors, logos, and fonts used within the library and on library materials.  It sets us apart from other programs in the community and ensures that on fliers or posts, people begin to recognize "that is from the library." This consistency creates recognition and as a public library, I very much want to be recognizable and trusted by our users.

Another facet of my social media plan for the library is to begin telling the story of the library.  There are so many things that can contribute to the library's story: materials, patrons, programs, new arrivals, and especially the work we do behind the scenes to provide all of this to the public.  By trickling out these kinds of things in posts on social media, followers begin to see our story unfold, and a connection is created between the library and our followers.  Even if a patron doesn't need something we provide right now, that connection that has been cultivated will be the first thing to pop into their head when they realize they do need one of our services.  For example, if they meet someone at the store that mentions they need something to read, they might say, "Oh the library just got in a bunch of best sellers last week." The relationship between the storyteller and the listener is strong.

Brand packaging and story telling are linked.  By using consistent colors, fonts, and logos, it is like tying the two together in a very subtle way, reminding the follower or patron of that promise we provide. 

I have used Canva to very easily build posts that look sharp and professional.  Canva is a free tool that provides templates, images, and fonts that convey that brand.