Google Plus Plus Library Minus Trouble

So your library is all about the social networks.  Your staff twitters, they blog, they tumbr...ize... they got it all down.  Well, now the great and mighty Google has opened the curtain on Google+ and the Page feature behind it is a nice guy looking to give you circles and connectivity.  We at the Banned Library (if you add us to your circles, we will come... eww, sorry) have played around with it for a day or so and have come up with a couple of great ways to use it in the library.  Most of them can be replicated with a variety of tools and other social networks, but Google+ puts them all in one nice, if not clinical looking, package.

The entire reason to use social networks with your library is to connect to your patrons.  Google Plus does this great, allowing the same wall posts (called stream), photos, and other uploadables that you used on that blue network.  Sharing content and reader advisory is easy as a cut and paste link.  This leads to the best thing that Google+ can do better than the other networks: Circles.

Circles are an enhancement of the "share with your friends" feature.  By dividing your fan base into groups, you can give each of them the news or information they are most interested in.  We started by creating several circles, such as "Friends of the Library" and "Bookclub" that we knew would need specialty information every once in a while.  If everyone needs to know, simply throw it out as "public."

Hangouts are another cool feature in Google+.  Back to the bookclub option, if a member can not make it, they can still be around via voice chat.  Since they got the same information as everyone else through circle updates, everyone is on the same page (pun intended).

Now this might seem like a Google fanboy rant, and that is because I kind of am.  Google+ Pages do have their  problems, though.  Some, like only one admin account at a time, may be fixed in the future.  Others, like having to wait for people to add you to their circles before you can interact with them, are understandable if not frustrating design features.  The major complaint I have is I could not find integration with Google Books as of this writing, which would really help create content for readers advisory.

The most problematic element of Google+ Pages is that its new.  Early adopters will be right on it but it may take some time for the network to take ground.  Do not worry, though, simply create content just like you would for the Blue Network and people will come.

Library 2.0, or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Facespace+

Several years ago, the library community was all abuzz with Library 2.0.  This new phase of Internet connectivity was supposed to put patrons in touch with the library in new and exciting ways through social networking, wikis, blogs, etc.  Has this really happened?  Some say yes, some say that Library 2.0 is a silly name.  I mean, com'on, the history of libraries is way past version 2.0.  If you want to put it in "computer" terms, most libraries are at least around the 6.0 mark or even ready for a new name all together, like "Library 2011: Home Edition."  Anyway, social networks are a part of libraries now, expanding our service in new and interesting ways.

Your mission as an information professional, should you choose to accept it, will be to infiltrate the social network community.  From there, you will do what you can to bring down the Internet.

Stage 1.  Connect with Patrons
The first thing you must do is make contact with the people and bring them to your library's side.  Give exclusive information and deals through the social networks, such as a free book sale book if the patron posts on the site or special events only listed on the website.  However you choose to include the patrons, the outcome must be the same:  as many followers as possible.  The name of the game is rich content, as often as possible.  Give them book reviews with pictures, pictures from events, pictures from around the library.  Are you seeing a trend?  Nothing too wordy.  If at all possible make it flash and contain the word "FREE" just as I have.

Swallow your soul!

Stage 2.  Connect with Other Libraries
Now that you have your local interests taken care of (and the numbers of people to justify the actions), begin connecting to other like-minded institutions in your area and beyond.  This will help in two ways: 1) This is a great way to learn about how other systems are connecting to their patrons and get tips on the subject. 2) This is an excellent way to coordinate when the time to strike is right.  When is the right time, you ask?  Well, you won't know unless you are sharing, will you? 

Too late.

Stage 3.  Connect the Community
Now that you have the community's trust, it is time to begin connecting the community.  Forming bonds.  Tying them together into an inescapable web of intrigue and desire, like a bowling team with matching shirts.  You have given them much, and while they will always crave more you can spoon feed them content to their hearts content.  Share information with your fellow libraries to branch the community.  Encourage them to comment, give incentives for them to do so.  Raffles help.  Stay up to date with your horde until they cannot live without you.  Laugh at their jokes.

Not too much.  At least he's not peeing.

Stage 4.  Collect Blackmail Information
You have your patrons, you have your libraries, you have your community.  Now is the time to invest in the community at large.  Both online and offline, start spamming interested parties with information.  When they become complacent with all the information you are giving them, put out a simple survey.  This survey will comprise of normal data (age, gender, etc.) but will also include abnormal data (favorite taco toppings, top 50 ways to leave a lover, etc.).  They trust you now, the library, to give you the information you require.  Keep this data, along with any DNA from the surveys they fill out, in little baggies in the back room you will label "maintenance."  If you did online surveys, include some code to collect their internet histories that you will also collect on a server in the "maintenance room."  Wait.

It is handy to have the right font.

Stage 5.  Spread Misinformation
As the library cog in the middle of their social networking wheel, you begin to slowly break them down.  "Eliza won today's prize.  Isn't she awesome!" "Yes, [that book] was interesting, but [this book] is better."  Break down their spirit by making the jealous of each other.  Competition breeds the strong, weeds out the weak.  For our army we want only the most dedicated followers.  Point out the weak when you can, the ones that do not come to story time, the one's who make bad comments to your suspect recommendations.  Form your Library 2.0 army into a snarky, hate-filled snake that will just as soon eat its own tail as strike out at another website.  If anyone steps out of line, look back to your surveys and remind them about the party at the Dansbury's.  That'll shut'em up.  You are ready to begin.

Yes, Excellent...

Stage 6.  Attack the Internet From Within
Send your minion followers out to do your bidding.  Begin small; petitions to keep libraries open and other socially conscious behaviors.  Continue to wield your mighty internet blade, slashing out at various local news organizations, book review websites and bloggers until they have no choice but to perish or join. Finally go after the beast itself.  Claim content infringement.  Claim that the social network of choice is not allowing for privacy, for anonymity, or simply that the service is a poopyhead.  However you decide, remember that the power of the unknowing sheep is yours.  Use it wisely or have it used against you.  Once you have the social network you have the world wide web.

Well, not the whole world.  These people scare me.

MySpace Reaches Basement, Keeps on Digging

The social network MySpace has reportedly laid off over half its 450 member staff in preparation for sale to Specific Media.

Well, as the snake eats the lion, so goes the way of MySpace.  I absolutely do not know what that means.  I mean, my brain went "Think of something MySpace related" and immediately went to that guy who friended me that REALLY liked snakes and then somehow a lion became involved.  I worry about what all this social networkage is doing to my brain, folks.

WSJ via CNET