staying relevant: public libraries look to social media to engage teen patrons research team 5...
TRANSCRIPT
Staying Relevant: Public Libraries
Look to Social Media to Engage Teen
Patrons
Research Team 5
Sandra Findley, Lori Ross, Dawn
Edelen and Greta Kliewer
April 28, 2012
Overview and Background
Teens 12-17 in the KC Metro Area
Social networking within the public libraries
Blogs, Wiki’s, Podcasts, RSS feeds, Twitter, social platforms (Facebook, Myspace Friendster), virtual games
Research Aim & Questions
Why aren’t teens using the library?
What kind of social media do libraries use?
How do libraries use this media to draw teens in?
How effective are these programs/technologies?
Research Paradigm
Mixed-methods questionnaire, with an emphasis on qualitative
Allows for spontaneous responses, but draws on strengths of qualitative and quantitative research
Qualitative InductiveConstructivism
QuantitativePositivistEasy to discuss and replicate results
Sampling
Mailed questionnaires that are chosen randomly.
A sample size between 500 and 1000 for this area.
There is an anticipation of non-response, and this is a large area.
There will also be advertisements via flyer to encourage participation via the online format.
This still follows the random selection sampling as we will distribute to many different areas around the metro.
Data Collection & Analysis
There are two ways offered for the questionnaire: paper or online. Only a questionnaire.
Interview or focus group would be better for a study about a particular library resource.
There will be a pilot study of 300 paper questionnaires to refine our questions.
The study will run from mid-April to mid-May, giving patrons enough time to respond.
Short and concise – we want the most response without much burden to the patron and is the least invasive.
Allows for parents to have more control if they want to allow their teen to participate or not.
Laptop incentivizes the response.
Ethical Considerations
Working with human participants; not yet legal adults
Transparency regarding research aims
Parental permission and authenticating signatures
Non-compulsory
Anonymity (Privacy)
Limitations
Multiple submissions by one person is a possibility. We hope to deter such action by limiting one entry per teen for the incentive.
Submissions blatantly identical will be discarded.
There is a possibility of forged parental consent. An email and a phone number to contact are requested for verification of consent. This also helps with the online format.
Partial/incomplete questionnaires will be removed from the incentive drawing, but not from the study.
Significance of Research
Benefits for libraries:More patrons.
Adds value to the library.
Great way to reach out to and interact with patrons.
Ability to share valuable information through the internet.
Market the library at no cost.
Benefits for teens:Ability to enjoy the benefits of the library from home.
Comfort level of communication.
Allows interaction with other teens
Gives teens a voice in the library
Questionnaire
What is the main social networking site you use?a. Facebook b. MySpace c. Blogs d. Twitter e. Other
How do you mainly access your social networking? a. Cell Phone b. Home Computer c. School Computer d. Library Computer e. Don’t use social media
How many hours a day do you use social networking?
a. Less than 1 hour b. 1 – 2 hours c. 3-4 hours. d. 5 – 6 hours. e. 7 – 8 hours f. 9 – 10 hours g. More than 10 hours
Questionnaire Cont’d Would classes at the library on social networking
be something that you would go to? Yes or No
If equipment that is used for social networking (computers with internet, cameras for video blogging, etc.) was available at the library, would you come into the library more often? Yes or No
What would you like to see added to the library in a social media setting? _______________________________________________
Conclusion
Libraries need to connect with teens
Encourages lifelong users.
Questions?