The South Carolina State Library has recently published a report titled, Social Media, Libraries, and Web 2.0: How American Libraries are Using New Tools for Public Relations and to Attract New Users. The report provides quantitative and qualitative data gathered from library staff members in the U.S. to determine how libraries are employing a variety of Web 2.0 and social networking tools to promote library programs and services.
The first survey, conducted by Dr. Curtis R. Rogers, Communications Director for the South Carolina State Library, took place between March 14 and March 21, 2009. The initial survey was conducted to gather data for a paper that was presented by Rogers at the 2009 German Library Association Annual Conference in Erfurt, Germany (Deutscher Bibliothekartag http://www.bibliothekartag2009.de/). The original paper with initial survey results is published online via Slideshare.
According to Rogers, "The data gathered by both surveys provides a wealth of information about how libraries of all types are using social media to promote library services and events. It was difficult to filter all of the comments because so many library staff members had so much to say about their successes with social media. It was also interesting to learn that many libraries are still not employing these free tools especially in such tough economic times."
Rogers pointed to one specific response printed in the report when asked why social media use by libraries is so important. One respondent stated, "Important doesn't really do it justice. Any library that is not using Web 2.0 technology is not only hurting itself, but it is hurting the future of ALL libraries."
To access the full report, visit http://www.statelibrary.sc.gov/docs/social_media_survey2009.pdf.
