Doing Social Media So It Matters: A Librarian's Guide (ALA Editions Special Reports) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a short book, but it is mighty. I started reading this during my commute, and finished it during the first leg of my train trip home. Now I really really really really want to draft a project proposal to do more social media for my library.
If you are a librarian (or library) who is new to the social media game, this book is the most valuable item you can read. Solomon covers how to start (and possibly end) your presence in social media from every possible angle. The good, the bad, and the ugly are all contained in this slim volume. Solomon even thinks to cover such things as how to win over colleagues, social capital, and return on investment.
The book is laid out in a few simple chapters to help guide n00bs through social media. She includes examples of how to do things right and shows you when things have gone wrong. In addition, there are several charts and graphs that break down the content into quick recaps which serve as helpful reminders to those going back to the book.
Beware, Solomon may cause you to become hyper at the prospect of a library Twitter account.

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Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn: it s difficult enough to keep abreast of social media Web sites, let alone understand how they fit into today s library. This practical resource brings together current information on the topic in a concise format that s easy to digest. Laura Solomon is a librarian with more than a decade of experience in Web development, design, and technology, and her timely guide
Provides context on the social media phenomenon
Offers practical advice on how libraries can choose, use, and monitor these tools effectively
Identifies additional resources and best practices
Solomon has written a unique, to-the-point guidebook for those ready to jump into the deep end of the pool and commence or improve their library s tweeting, posting, and friending.

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Dancing with Digital Natives: Staying in Step with the Generation That's Transforming the Way Business Is Done Review

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(More customer reviews)Excellent book that tackles a lot of the issues for keeping digital natives entertained and productive. Especially relevant to those trying to work with younger generations or to market to them.

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Generational differences have always influenced how business is done, but in the case of digital natives, those immersed in digital technology from birth, professionals are witnessing a tectonic shift. As an always-connected, socially networked generation increasingly dominates business and society, organizations can ignore the implications only at the risk of irrelevance. In this fascinating study, a stellar assemblage of experts from business and academia provides vital insights into the characteristics of this transformative generation. Offering an in-depth look at how digital natives work, shop, play, and learn, this resource offers practical advice geared to help managers, marketers, coworkers, and educators maximize their interactions and create environments where everyone wins.

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The Accidental Library Marketer Review

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(More customer reviews)I do research about "Library Marketing". This book shows well the concepts and practical ideas of "Library Marketing". I think every librarian, researcher, and professor in Library Science needs to read this book. As the author says, the class of "Library Marketing" is needed at Library and Information School. This book can be read easily. The author writes like narration with simple and easy expressions. Library is a treasure from ansient world. It keeps growing. And librarians can know how to make the libraries better, central in community, core in any organization with this book.

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The Accidental Library Marketer fills a need for library professionals and paraprofessionals who find themselves in an awkward position: They need to promote their libraries and servicesin the age of the internet, but they venever been taught how to do it effectively.This results-oriented A-to-Z guide by Kathy Dempsey longtime editor of the Marketing Library Services newsletter reveals the missing link between the everyday promotion librarians actually do and the real marketing that sguaranteed to assure funding, excite users, and build stronger communityrelationships. Combining real-life examples, expert advice, and checklists in a reader-friendly style, this is the complete how-to resource for successful library marketing and promotion.

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The Readers' Advisory Handbook (ALA Readers' Advisory) Review

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(More customer reviews)The usual upfront disclaimers: I'm friends with both editors, went to graduate school with Jessica, in fact, contributed to two of Jessica's other book projects and had been asked to contribute to this one (but had to decline), and I received my copy as a free review copy.
When they called this a Handbook, they were right in every sense of the term. This is truly a practical tool for anyone involved in readers' advisory work. Moyer and Stover have laid the book out logically with each section flowing into the next. The first section on "Getting to Know Your Materials" is the one everyone can use and learn something from. Succeeding sections take you a level deeper into readers' advisory services with each one. I've already taken ideas from a number of sections and have incorporated them into classes I teach to librarians in Iowa.
A must read for all public librarians and anyone providing readers' advisory services.

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Readers' advisory has long ago sprinted past merely suggesting books to patrons; it now encompasses many different formats and means of communication--working with patrons of all types and ages, in and outside the actual library. To help harried librarians handle increased demand, experts Jessica Moyer and Kaite Stover assemble a group of specialists who have created a one-stop resource for all kinds of readers' advisory issues. Here you will find a trove of solid guidance, including * How to advise patrons on all kinds of media, from fiction and nonfiction to audiobooks, graphic novels and even reference materials * How to provide services to senior citizens, teens and even readers who are incarcerated * How to handle author visits and book groups * How to enhance storytelling, even for adultsCovering everything from getting to know a library s materials to marketing and promoting RA, this practical handbook will help you expand services immediately without adding costs or training time.

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Writing and Publishing: The Librarian's Handbook Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a wonderful book for librarians who have any interest at all in writing for publication. With contributions from about 50 librarians from every sector of librarianship, there's not a writing-related topic that I can think of that isn't discussed in at least a passing manner except indexing and it's probably in there and I just missed it.
I work with a lot of colleagues who are panic-stricken at the idea of having to do research and write for promotion and tenure. (Something I've always found perplexing since so many of us have undergraduate degrees in English and History!) I wish I could buy ten copies and pass them out to each one looking at going up for tenure in a few years. Unfortunately, however, the publisher -- the American Library Association -- is charging $65.00 for a book that should be $19.95; $29,95 at the most. (Oh, I almost forgot, if you've paid your $130.00 personal annual membership to ALA, you can get it for the bargain price of $58.50.) One would think that if any title would be subsidized by ALA to be affordable to its members, this would be it... but, nooooo. ALA keeps on squeezing!
Still, Carol Smallwood has pulled together a marvelous collection. There are nearly 100 articles; here's a sample: "Writing for Tenure"; "Becoming an Expert: Find Your Niche"; "Writing with Colleagues: Strategies for Getting the Work Done"; "Librarian Writing Groups"; "Working with Book and Journal Editors to Revise Your Manuscript"; "Preparing for Publication: Strategies for Identifying Potential Library Journals"; "The End of the Beginning: Learning from Rejection"; "Self-Publishing"; "Twenty-Five Years at BookExpo"; "Publishing Mystery Fiction"; "Writing for Reference Books"; "Tips for Compiling a Publishable Bibliography"; "Press Kits and News Releases"; "Writing a Newspaper Column"; "Book Reviews"; "Peer-Reviewing"; "Ten Tips for Becoming a Successful Restaurant Reviewer"; "Writing Video Reviews"; "Freelance Magazine Writing for Librarians"; "Crafting a Compelling Bibliographic Essay"; "Textbook Writing"; "Writing for Children's Magazines"; "The Public Library as Picture Book Publisher"; "The Poet Librarian"; "Blogging Tips for Librarians"; "Librarians as Personal Bloggers"; "Writing for Library Websites"; "Confessions of an Amazon.com Reviewer"; "Editing Books"; and, "Editing a Library Association Magaziine," among many others!
ALA has done a good job with the physical format and layout, as the book has an attractive cover and sturdy soft binding; the content is practical, helpful, and diverse; and, specific topics are presented one-to-three pages at a time, grouped into broad topical sections. The text is very readable/skimable in a double columned format with a good-sized font.
Highly recommended for personal, professional reading and library collections of all kinds for the resident librarians to have the opportunity check-out and use!
R. Neil Scott
Middle Tennessee State University

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Have you ever considered writing or reviewing for the library community? Are you interested in publishing a book on your favorite author or hobby? Do you need to write and publish for tenure? If so, "Writing and Publishing" is for you. Practical how-to guidance from library professionals will help you write: as an expert for other library professionals; creative copy and information about your library; copy for websites, blogs, and online columns; bibliographic essays and lists; and, book reviews (formal and informal). "Writing and Publishing" will serve as a great resource, whether in taking the anxiety out of writing or refining your style, you'll use this book as much as your pen or keyboard!

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