Since mid-2012 I have been following the Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology on Twitter and Facebook. The museum does not simply broadcast events, though that is the primary function of the accounts. The official website is not updated regularly. The social media team is very active and their posts make the museum more interesting and approachable. Their Facebook cover photo tastefully advertises events (see image below), and the museum's recognisable logo is their profile picture on both Facebook and Twitter.
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| Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology. Retrieved August 23, 2012 from https://www.facebook.com/AbbeyMuseum |
Facebook posts are tweeted, so there is a fair bit of overlap; however, the overall social media presence for such a small museum is commendable. The team is quick to respond to their followers, usually in less than 24 hours (and often within an hour on workdays). Funny pictures, announcements, and links to news stories that museum patrons might find interesting are regularly added to the feed. The social media team welcomes comments, retweets, and user-generated content.
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| An example of Abbey using humour to connect with their Facebook friends and, at the same time, asking for feedback on a serious topic |
I attended the Picnic at Pemberley, a celebration of Jane Austen's era, in September 2012. Aside from a dainty garden tea party, the event included era-appropriate lawn games, country dancing, a five-gun salute, a duel, music, a Language of the Fan class, Maypole dancing, and mingling with our hosts, Mr Darcy and Mr Bennet. There were Regency-attired folk everywhere, because the media team had encouraged attendees to dress appropriately, and provided inspiring photos in the weeks leading up to the event. They also provided historical anecdotes about Jane's life, which were educational but also interesting. The media team makes history very accessible.
Aside from my personal interest in following Abbey to keep up-to-date about the Picnic, I followed them out of professional interest. My final paper contrasts librarians and museum professionals, so I was curious how a small museum might handle media and self-promotion. I learned that volunteers are invaluable to Abbey, and that an event can have humble beginnings but eventually attract 37,000 visitors (Abbey Medieval Festival). I also learned that the museum values responses from its visitors, and asks for feedback on its programs and collections. Following the Picnic at Pemberley, attendees received an e-mail survey that asked what we enjoyed most, what could have been improved, and whether we would be interested in attending a Regency-themed ball. Yes, please!
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| An example of Abbey interacting with me on Twitter |
My Online Community
I participated in a blogging challenge with 70 other librarians and LIS students, #blogjune, or Blog Every Day in June, in 2011.
I have been keeping up with other librarians and libraries via Twitter since February 2011:
@katiedatwork - Kate Davis, associate lecturer at QUT
@katejf - Kate Freedman
@NaomiDoessel - Info Lit librarian
@rachwray - Electronic Services librarian
@fionawb - Medical librarian
@qutlibrary
@ALIANational
@slqld
The list has grown and it is not suitable to name every Twitter contact I have made. My Twitter profile was locked when I began tweeting, but has been public since July 2011. I find it invaluable, and have used Twitter to build a friendly network of personal and professional contacts - a PLN (personal learning network).
Twitter contacts have been encouraging, helpful, amusing, timely, and supportive. The information and feedback I've received through interacting with my tweeps keeps me up to date with the industry, jobs, policies and politics, and influential people and organisations.
