Facebook

Great! I've already got a Facebook account and so has the library. This means I can have a bit of a rest! Jubilation**!!""

The Jerwood Library Facebook page was created in January 2010, just after the last libraries@cambridge conference. Inspired by John McNaughton's closing speech, a member of our grad team, Bettina, set up a group page and then a fan page for the Jerwood. All three of us are administrators for the Jerwood Library account and we all post messages. Helen has developed the Jerwood page further, adding boxes, links and some great books.

We use the Jerwood page as a community message board. We have a cohesive group of users and we like to think of the library as at the heart of the College. We use Facebook to reinforce our friendly, informal and approachable image. Not all of our students have become fans so we communicate with them in a variety of ways: by email, through our library web pages and with a printed termly newsletter (also available as a pdf). Oh yes, and of course we talk to them too!

Later I asked Bettina to set up a Supporters of the Old Library  at Trinity Hall page too. Yes, I'm a dab hand at delegation! This page has a slightly different function. It is intended to generate interest in our special collections and is linked to a fundraising initiative. I also use it for news of events, projects and discoveries.

I enjoy having an informal way to get news out there and the ability to add photos too. It's nice that people can comment on things too - so you get some feedback. I'm not sure I am using Facebook to its full advantage. I'm very impressed by some of the other Cambridge library pages and what they offer so I will continue to explore its potential. Although Facebook is not the only way to communicate with readers it has a valuable place in the service we offer to our students. We also have some fans who have already graduated, so perhaps they have a soft spot for the library or an insatiable thirst for any news from their alma mater.