How are libraries making use of Google+?

Google+ is a relative newcomer to the social media scene, and offers some interesting functionality for sharing and connecting with users and a broader community. Where as Twitter and Facebook are probably fairly well embedded in library outreach and engagement activities, I am interested in how libraries are using Google+.

Does Google+ offer a more innovative way to engage and communicate? What tricks and tips do libraries have for exploiting Google+ to its full potential? Or does it simply lack the ubiquity and reach of Twitter and Facebook?

Ben

• internet
• social-media
• young-adult

Comments

• dsalo: Doesn't Google+ frown upon non-individual accounts?
• ksclarke: Libraries can have G+ pages; I used to maintain a fairly large circle of libraries who had pages (some more active than others)
• Ben: I know the New York Public library is very active on G+ (and a few smaller libraries, both US and UK), so I would assume they're not frowning that strongly!

Answer by ksclarke

There is a meta-page for Libraries on Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/117722006052787355791/posts

This is basically just a listing of some of the libraries that maintain G+ pages.

Awhile ago, I also posted a G+ circle of all the libraries that I'd found on G+: https://plus.google.com/106980687849423472398/posts/jZiCvC3q9Vh

That was awhile ago, though, so I imagine there are many more out there now (I stopped tracking them).

I think (from what I've heard) that a lot of folks are still taking a wait and see approach to G+ (though there are some libraries in the two circles above who are very active and actively engaging their patrons). Ancedotally, the public libraries are doing more with G+ at the moment. This might change in the future, though, as more universities use Google Apps as their calendaring, email, etc. Once that happens, and Google pulls Plus into the list of apps they offer in that venue, more student engagement on Google Plus might give libraries more of a reason to do outreach on Google Plus.

I do think the platform is an interesting one and as Google continues to roll their apps together I think we'll continue to see a growth in Google Plus use.

Comments

• dsalo: Hrm. Coverage of G+ in tech news indicates that Google's estimates of use are wildly inflated, such that as best anyone can tell G+ use is in decline. I'd be happy to see counterexamples? (ObDisclaimer: I won't go near G+ because of their idiotic fumbling of the nymwars.)
• ksclarke: I agree Google's published estimates are wildly inflated; I also think tech press of droves of engaged G+ users leaving G+ is also wildly inflated. I think it's hard to gauge from the outside what's going on, though here is one attempt: https://plus.google.com/105279625231358353479/posts/Gz8i52zUunz -- What I'd say is this, I think Google is getting enough engagement from G+ that they're moving their other services around it. No, it's not a Twitter or Facebook killer but it's not going away either.
• ksclarke: @dsalo Btw, I followed you on there before the nymwars stuff. I was sad to see you go, but understood your reasoning as well. I think they've lightened up a little on it (though two months or so ago I heard a little echo of it again).
• ksclarke: And, not speaking as a library but an individual, I've seen a lot more engagement on there than on Facebook (which I've recently dropped) or Twitter. Perhaps this is because it's more topic-centered vs. who-I-know-in-real-life (FB) or what-is-happening-in-my-workspace-or-in-the-news (Twitter).

Answer by Helgagrace

My (public) library runs a Google Plus page. Our general guidelines are:

1. Post material on a regular schedule--daily if possible.
2. Interact with other libraries by reposting and commenting on their posts.
3. Don't duplicate posts and information that is already available through the library's Facebook and Twitter accounts.
4. Periodically search out and follow other libraries of all kinds, not just other public libraries.
5. Post interesting articles on books and technology and refer back to the library rather than posting library-specific and time-sensitive events.

Comments