self pacedFormat: Self-paced Course
Developed with: funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services
Length: 1 hour

Over 70% of adults are now using a social networking site of some kind, and these online interactions can have real-life implications. This course provides guidelines for what should and should not be shared online, how to build social capital and how to put your best foot forward when using social media.

Course Objectives:

  • Describe the benefits of building a positive social media presence.
  • Make informed decisions about sharing personal information on social media.
  • Employ strategies for posting information that build positive social media capital.


Course Design: Jamie Matczak and Amy Calhoun

Course Provider: WebJunction

webinar iconFormat: Webinar, original date March 27, 2019
Hosted by: Infopeople
Length: 1 hour

In a world with a 24-hour news cycle, libraries must be ready to communicate quickly about any crisis that may impact their community. Yet few libraries have an up to date crisis communication plan. From a natural disaster, a shooting in a branch, anger in the community over a library program or partnership, or a social media campaign against a library choice, a crisis can take many forms.

Join presenter and communications director Kim Crowder as she shares how you can create a full crisis communications plan from start to finish. She will discuss real examples of crisis communications plans that worked, and missteps that you can avoid. Start building a strong plan and community relationships now that will help you once a crisis hits.

Presented by: Kim Crowder

Course Provider: WebJunction

webinar recordingFormat: Webinar, original date July 12, 2012
Hosted by: Infopeople
Length: 1 hour

Sure, it’s incredibly simple for your library to set up a Facebook presence. But, then what? How can you really make it useful for visitors?

  • Learn the do’s and don'ts of managing your library’s Facebook account and what you can do to attract more fans.
  • Get the lowdown on using Facebook Insights, the built-in metrics application.
  • See real examples of libraries that showcase the good, the bad, and the ugly.
  • Get ready to make your library's presence on Facebook a whole lot better!

Presented by: Laura Solomon

Course Provider: WebJunction

webinar recordingFormat: Webinar, original date October 24, 2017
Hosted by: WebJunction and TechSoup
Length: 1 hour

Social media has the potential to increase community engagement with new and existing library patrons. Join us to learn how libraries can effectively use social media tools, even with limited staff and time. Learn how to identify the appropriate social media platforms to market library services and events, and how to integrate best social media practices in your library's marketing plan. We’ll help you build a foundation for your social media strategy and provide practical ideas and tactics for immediate use in your library.

Presented by: Amy Hitchner and Jessica Bacon

Course Provider: WebJunction

webinar recordingFormat: Webinar, original date December 19, 2017
Hosted by: WebJunction and TechSoup
Length: 1 hour

Learn how to take the next steps toward amplifying your library’s social media program. During this third webinar in our social media series, we’ll discuss best practices in growing your library's social media program and managing user engagement. You’ll learn tips on assessing your library’s audience based on their preferred platforms and ideas for converting your in-person library community into an online community.

Presented by: Lisa Bunker and Cesar Garza

Course Provider: WebJunction

webinar recordingFormat: Webinar, original date April 27, 2016
Hosted by: TechSoup
Length: 1 hour

Instagram is a highly popular social network, and one that is increasingly being used by libraries to engage with patrons and supporters. Instagram’s user-friendly interface makes it easy to broadcast pictures and short videos to a wide audience. But just like any social media tool, it is important to know what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to using Instagram to share library information.

Come to this free webinar to learn from two libraries who have been successfully using Instagram to engage with their communities, and to share positive library messages with the larger community of Instagram users across the world. From promoting library materials to showcasing library services, these libraries will share good practices that they have learned along the way.

Presented by: Amanda Zuccarelli and Ray DeLara

Course Provider: WebJunction

webinar recordingFormat: Webinar, original date July 17, 2013
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour

Over half of the world’s 2 billion internet users interact with social media tools to create, share, and exchange information and ideas while online. Libraries are using these tools to market programs and services, and to connect and engage with their communities beyond the library walls. Join us as we explore Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest as examples of tools that are being used successfully by libraries. The webinar will cover how to create, administer, moderate, and leverage your library’s online presence. Some basic security settings for each social media tool will be discussed as well.

Presented by: Dr. Roberto Gallardo

Course Provider: WebJunction

webinar recordingFormat: Webinar, original date October 14, 2015
Hosted by: TechSoup
Length: 1 hour

You’ve probably heard of Pinterest, but how might libraries use it? While Pinterest can be a useful tool for crafters, culinary amateurs, and fashionistas, it can also be a valuable resources for libraries and library users.  Join us to learn how your library can benefit from establishing an online sharing community with Pinterest.

Come to this free webinar to learn how to develop your own library Pinterest board. Lauren Drittler, Assistant Director of the Arkansas River Valley Regional Library System, will share her experience developing their library Pinterest account which now has 61 boards and 1,600 followers. She will also share tips and best practices for how you can get started with your own library Pinterest account, or improve your existing account for better community engagement.

Presented by: Lauren Drittler

Course Provider: WebJunction

webinar recordingFormat: Webinar, original date November 30, 2017
Hosted by: WebJunction and TechSoup
Length: 1 hour

Now that you are using social media to engage with your community, how do you know if it’s working? If you don’t know where to start when planning your social media metrics, join us to learn the best methods to measure your library's social media outcomes. During this event, you will learn how to establish measurable goals, identify key performance indicators (KPIs), and evaluate your social media results.

Presented by: Molly Bacon and Cherise Mead

Course Provider: WebJunction

webinar recordingFormat: Webinar, original date March 2, 2016
Hosted by: Infopeople
Length: 1 hour

Chances are your library has been active in social media for a while now. It’s also likely that the results of your efforts have been mixed. If you’re wondering how to change things up, get more visual, and take more advantage of the platforms you're on, then this is the webinar for you.

Even if your library has already been creating visual content, there are now guidelines that can help you to make that content even more effective. These include recommendations for: colors, typography, stock art, infographics, videos and optimizing for Facebook and Twitter. Join Laura Solomon as she demonstrates best practices and new ideas for telling your library's story, as well as tricks and tools that can boost engagement and make your library's visuals stronger.

Presented by: Laura Solomon

Course Provider: WebJunction

webinar recordingFormat: Webinar, original date September 9, 2015
Hosted by: NCompass Live, Nebraska Library Commission
Length: 1 hour

Your digital footprint is the trail left by all the things you do online, including Facebook accounts, your browsing history, your online subscriptions, any photo galleries and videos you’ve uploaded — essentially, anything on the Internet with your name on it. Digital natives like today’s students rarely think twice about putting their names on things online, so their footprints can be pretty wide. Digital immigrants like adults and seniors learning to use the Internet don't understand what their footprints reveal about them. Join Denise Harders, Co-Director, Central Plains Library System, to learn how you can help both groups manage their Digital Footprints.

Presented by: Denise Harders

Course Provider: WebJunction