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For week five, we explored the use of images via the Pinterest site. I'm fairly familiar with Pinterest as a tool for professional development and presented on the topic at our regional staff development day in 2012. I think Pinterest has a lot to offer librarians, particularly if they offer storytime programs for children. Since I've already done some research in the area, I thought I'd provide some of the highlights here.
For those of you new to the site, Pinterest is a website that allows users to “pin” images—either user created or web based—to online bulletin boards. It allows you to create theme-based photo collections.
Pinterest is typically used by individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations. 68% of Pinterest users are women and half of all Pinterest users are between the ages of 25-44. Let’s relate these last two stats to your digital library. According to a 2010 OverDrive survey, 74% of virtual branch users are female between the ages of 30-59. Your patrons are using Pinterest, and you can use it as one of a number of tools that help you engage with them.
A quick search of the term “library” under people in Pinterest shows us hundreds of libraries are hosting online Pinterest bulletin boards: http://pinterest.com/search/people/?q=library.
So why are they using it?
o
To
bookmark useful sites for future use (because you see a photo instead of a long
link, you quickly remember why you thought it was interesting)
o
To
make your library more visible and connect with the public
o
To
connect with children and teens
The site can be used individually, collaboratively, or at the library level. Within Pinterest you can create a collaborative board and invite others to pin to the board. In the AWK Region, the Public Services Librarian, Moncton Public Library, the Regional Office and the Manager of the Salisbury Public Library all contribute to their “Storytime” board.
How Do Libraries Use Pinterest?
·
Pin book covers. Many libraries feature the covers
of new books. Looking to boost non-fiction
circulation? Research books and narrative nonfiction can get a boost
from being pinned.
·
Create reading lists. Pinterest is a great reader’s advisory tool. Encourage
people to try new books by creating a topic-specific list (ex. If you liked
Harry Potter, Olympic Books etc.) Read-alike lists for popular books
such as the Hunger Games and Fifty Shades of Grey are great Pinterest boards. Or
how about Staff Picks? “What NYPL is Reading”
contains reading recommendations by NYPL librarians. Or you can showcase a collection, like Edmonton
Public Libraries’ “Aboriginal
Collection at EPL” or Skokie Public Library’s “It’s
Your Business” (resources to help you start or run your
small business).
·
Show off your library. Pin photos to a board to show off
decorations or renovations. “NYPL Photos” showcases cool photos of the library, such as
engagement shoots, weddings, evidence of ghostly presences, and shots by local
photographers. Or you could create an inspiration board for future renovations
like they did here in AWK.
·
Share your archival material. At Skokie (IL) Public
Library, the “Skokie History” board, which focuses on buildings, people
and events from the history of the village, is one of the most popular boards.
·
Collect ideas for/advertise programs., Edmonton Public Library
advertises their movie nights by posting pictures of the movie posters on their
“EPL Film Series” board. A great event to
promote is, of course, the author visit. Why not pin book covers, author
photos, and author interviews to advertise that upcoming author visit?
·
Draw attention to your local
community. Since
your library constantly interacts with your local community, showcase local
attractions to build a feeling of community and encourage others to visit. Because
being a community center is an important aspect of a library’s mission, boards
that promote your community are great for libraries starting out on Pinterest. Ann
Arbor (MI) Library has a fantastic board featuring all the sights and sounds
that make up amazing Ann Arbor. The Watertown (WI) Public Library has a
board for their homegrown talent, which introduces local artists and
authors—some even from the library’s staff!
·
Share craft projects. In the York region, we shared superhero-themed ideas for the 2012 Summer Reading Club at Library-SRC 2012-Superheroes.
·
Connect to other libraries. Build a community where you can
share ideas and help each other to grow and improve.
·
Encourage book clubs. A board for all the year’s
upcoming book-club
selections provides great exposure to your upcoming reads and might even
attract new members to your discussions. Since we offer book club
in a bag kits, why not make a board for all those titles you have available for
your local book groups to check out?
·
Interact with patrons. “Books to Read,” “Books
Worth Reading,” and “Books I Am Reading” are all popular board names. How
wonderful if your patrons’ pins all linked back to your catalog! Or you could
emulate NYPL and create a “What Are You
Reading” board where patrons can pin their current titles.
Closing
Thoughts
Copyright:
You avoid any issue by posting original images but keep in mind when posting
photos you did not take yourself:
o
The images being used are larger than thumbnails
(which case law has shown are acceptable to use without specific permission).
o
The Pinterest user agreement says that users
should only post that which they have copyright permission to post. And the
company that owns Pinterest absolves itself of any liability.
o
Give credit to the author of the photo and always link to the original source
of the image (http://linkwithlove.typepad.com/linkwithlove/how-it-works.html)
Best Practices
o
Add
Pinterest ‘Pin It’ buttons to your website or blog. Similarly, add a ‘Follow us
on Pinterest’ hyperlink to your email signatures.
o
Like
and comment on other people’s pins.
o
Follow
users in your community and repin others’ pins.
o
Tag
others in your pins by using @username.
Resources:
And on the lighter side of things: http://pinstrosity.blogspot.com
25
Libraries We Most Love on Pinterest: http://oedb.org/library/beginning-online-learning/25-libraries-we-most-love-on-pinterest#.UCpYq6CqY1I
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