Blog Post Week 3

1. What are your thoughts on personal branding as someone who may soon be looking for a professional position in libraries?

I believe that personal branding is an important part of gaining employment in libraries these days. The library environment is focused very much on technology and more libraries are utilizing social media and branding to create and keep business current. LinkedIn is one of the most popular social media websites where professionals network. There are many people who have been hired from LinkedIn and it is a way for librarians to collaborate, network and expand their circle of influence. 

I am taking the class offered by the University about marketing myself in a networked world and am learning so much about the different nuances of networking professionally. It is a very different form of social networking than personally networking. Because of the society we live in, creating a personal brand will help me stand out from the other qualified applicants. 

2. How effective do you think most libraries are in building a strong, consistent brand online and why?

I do not believe that most libraries are strong in their online brand at the moment. Many are starting to expand slowly with adding Facebook and Twitter accounts to advertise their programs and materials. Some are stronger than others by creating applications and networks to communicate with their patrons. Libraries on the whole need to expand their presence because many people still view the library as a place solely for books. Libraries nationwide are losing funding. If they were an integral part of each city by letting the cities know what they have to offer, libraries may be funded better. 

3. What should librarians be doing to manage their library's brand?

Librarians need to take the initiative to bring their library to the next level. Libraries need to find a way to infiltrate their news, programs, and materials into everyday society so people do not forget their presence. Some libraries are well known by the people and the surrounding cities because they have created an environment where they are needed. University libraries can become much more than a place to study. They are becoming cyber cafe's, places for people to create and find information. 

Librarians need to reach people where they are. Libraries who have mobile applications are creating a very accessible way to their collection. A librarian should be researching the newest changes in the social media world and continually tweaking the brand to flow with the changes. 

4. What sorts of rules would you include in a library staff social media policy?

I would include that staff of the library need to keep personal comments about the library off of social media sites. There should not be complaints about customers or their day at work on the social media sites. comments on what customers check out should not be on social media sites as well. The library needs to maintain its brand and create a safe environment for their staff and patrons. The staff should be promoting the programs the library has as well as new books and celebrating the wonderful things that go on in the library. 

5. What should an organization do when they find negative things being written about them online?

An organization needs to be proactive in combating negative press and have a policy in place to how they will react to the negative things stated about them. If it is an employee, the person should lose their job and no longer be part of the organization. If it is not an employee, the organization cannot stop the freedom of speech, but can consider some of the things that are being complained about.