PanEuropean Working Group Meeting of European Documentation Centres

Pan-European Working Group Meeting of European Documentation Centres Berlin, 10 -11 June 2013 The challenges for the EDCs’ work in the 21 st century EDCs and social media: discussion on its value for the network Ian Thomson Cardiff EDC

EDCs and social media

… In the context of revitalising the EDC Network in the 21 st Century – What purpose does the individual EDC or the EDC Network have in the 21 st century? – What added value do we bring to the academic community we are based in / wider market? – Would anyone miss us if the network disappeared? Can using social media help…

… In the context of revitalising the EDC Network in the 21 st Century Brief results of the survey • Q 1: Is your EDC actively involved in using social media? • Q 2: If you answered yes, what type of social media does your EDC use? • Q 3. On average, how many hours per week do you spend on updating the social media mentioned above • Q 4: Reasons for not using social media • Q 5: What kind of information do you disseminate via social media? • Q 6. What are the main reasons for using social media in your EDC? • Q 7. Are your social media activities successful? • Q 8. What kind of support does your EDC need to develop its expertise within social media?

… In the context of revitalising the EDC Network in the 21 st Century • WHY is it important for your EDC to embrace social media • WHAT are the elements which contribute to a successful use of social media • HOW does the use of social media work for your EDC

… In the context of revitalising the EDC Network in the 21 st Century • WHY is it important for your EDC to embrace social media • Social media has become a significant modern form of communication, especially amongst our primary target audience – young people • To raise awareness of the existence, objectives and activities of your Centre • To raise engagement and an interactive approach • To raise interest in European issues, events, programmes and policy-making; • To develop a closer connection between the EU and the society • To raise awareness of new / important information sources and initiatives

… In the context of revitalising the EDC Network in the 21 st Century • WHAT are the elements which contribute to a successful use of social media • Visual: Publish pictures to report on your EDC events, tagging the people involved • People: Identify the people taking part in your events by mentioning them in the announcements • Collaboration: Encourage collaboration between other EDCs in your region/country, creating common social media platforms • Frequency: Establish a daily / weekly update of your social media network, efficiently making use of the available human resources • Interactive: Develop a dynamic and interactive approach in order to attract more followers - encourage and facilitate responses • Creative: Be pro-active and creative in producing your own posts: it is important to establish a differentiating identity – EDC identity or as part of wider parent library or institution or part of wider EDC network

… In the context of revitalising the EDC Network in the 21 st Century • HOW does the use of social media work for your EDC • Think about and decide why you will launch social media initiatives – clear objectives • Decide who will be responsible – message must reflect the central objectives of your EDC or parent institution • Decide on resources to be devoted- staff time • Decide on evaluation methods

… In the context of revitalising the EDC Network in the 21 st Century HOW does the use of social media work for your EDC • Cardiff EDC Facebook – Must serve the objectives and serve the primary activities of the EDC (not vv) – Very much ‘people’ and ‘photograph’ focused – Want to balance this with more build up of promotion of European information developments (useful new sources of information). • Facebook page (and website) must serve to raise the profile of the Cardiff EDC and its specific activities: – – – ESO Information Literacy training (internal and external) Events Interns Programme Offering EU information expertise (enquiry service etc)