#latitech

[marylandlati]

Ella Alonso, PGCMLS

This was my first time exploring the New York Public Library’s Tumblr; honestly, I love it. I love that the system consistently generates or reblogs vibrant, graphic, eye catching posts. This particular post (NYPL Labs’ Brian Foo had some fun combining his love of street art and computer wizardry with the new Google Street View archive) appealed to me because of its use of bright gifs. 

I was hooked. I think that feeling of being hooked was the strongest part of the post. 

One of the things that the NYPL frequently does well is keep their posts short and intriguing; this post about the NYPL Labs simply had the gifs and a hyperlinked description. Already invested in learning more, I felt compelled to click the link to their blog.

Although I was specifically searching for a post about the library’s technology, the NYPL mainly uses their Tumblr presence to connect with their teens and provide fun readers’ advisory. Andrea Lipinski, the Senior Young Adult Librarian at the Kingsbridge Library outlines her process of creating the account on the library’s blog (”Tumbling into Tumblr with Kingsbridge Teens”) . I think that other library systems could really learn a lot about successfully working with their already established demographics.

[marylandlati]

Everything about this social media post is great; the bright, loud and festival nature of it makes me wish I could have been there. The Colorado Springs Library uses this social media site to perfectly showcase the important event information and how the concept of S.T.R.E.A.M. throughout the entirety of the fair. It’s a no-brainer why any library would be inspired by this post; every person in the video looks happy to be there and there’s just so much to do! Personally, I am thinking of making programs using the cardboard village idea, as well as making drums out of gourds! The possibilities are endless!

-Dasha Casciero, https://vimeo.com/109760435, Pikes Peak Library District Colorado Springs, Colorado.

[marylandlati]

This post appealed to me because it showed how accessible a 3D printer can be for ALL customers, not just tech-savvy ones.

It is a successful use of social media marketing because it made the process seem easy and fun at Toronto Public Library—it made me want to open the front door, climb the stairs, sit down at a computer, and design and print my creation.

Other libraries could get inspired because the video was very welcoming. It lets customers know that everyone with a library card can take the 3D Printer Certification Course, use the printer, and know that help is nearby.

[marylandlati]

This post which was featured on the Toronto Public Library Facebook page was appealing to me because it showed how 3D printers could be used to make items that would be useful to the public. It is very successful in featuring the use of 3D printers, this can inspire many libraries that now have one to use them in the customization of USB cords and other everyday technology items. Christopher Malcolm https://www.facebook.com/pg/torontopubliclibrary/posts/?ref=page_internal

[marylandlati]

Marc Tolson - For assignment 5-3 of Maryland Spring 2 2018 LATI I decided on Twitter as a  social media platform to evaluate.  Full disclosure, I’m not a Twitter user, and really have no interest in joining; I like editing!

The first thing I noticed in my review was a lack of clear, concise explanation of what the platform is and, from the company’s perspective, what are its best uses.  Any explorer of the website is confronted with a lot of vague platitudes about “expression” and “connections”, but in terms of organizational effectiveness I had difficulty deciphering the platforms usefulness.  Specifically, Twitter seems to value volume over content, which could broadcast basic information quickly, but if the library has a website, for example, such a broadcast could easily be accomplished by a more versatile and detailed method.  I did find an article about how it is creatively used by a library in Scotland with unique circumstances, but I think its effectiveness was due more to the creativity of the library staff than the platform itself.

[marylandlati]

Marc Tolson - I found this article about a remote Scottish Library’s use of Twitter quite interesting.  Because the community it serves is scattered across several islands, the Orkney Library is a destination in itself, and not a place to visit as one of a string of errands.  Social media marketing is a great way to both disseminate information about library events, and promote remote access opportunities.  The actual article can be found at:

https://www.buzzfeed.com/alanwhite/real-talk-who-doesnt-dress-as-whitesnake-once-a-week?utm_term=.qgaYK69rK#.siqnoYZMo

[marylandlati]

Even though this isn’t in a library, it is in a bookstore at the University of Alaska.  I found this post interesting because for one, I’ve never heard about the espresso book machine before and found it to be an exciting new technology.  This post is nice because it quickly explains what this new resource is and how it can be used. This would be a wonderful tool to have here at my branch!

 https://www.facebook.com/uasystem/posts/519653874711826

[marylandlati]

Lisa Mandell - Allegany County Library System

https://twitter.com/tusc_library/status/969237033347637249

I chose this because I thought it looked really cool and I love the use of 3D prints. I feel this is a successful use of social media because it is very eye-catching. Other libraries can be inspired by this post by choosing to use better photos to draw people in and promote more interest.