New session: Using Snapchat to Reach Library Patrons Workshop

CHICAGO—ALA Publishing eLearning Solutions announces a new session of our popular workshop, Using Snapchat to Reach Library Patrons with Paige Alfonzo. This workshop will consist of two 90-minute sessions and take place at 2:30pm Eastern/1:30 Central/12:30 Mountain/11:30am Pacific on Thursday, April 12, 2018 and Thursday, April 19, 2018.

Snapchat is one of the 10 most downloaded apps in the world and a key means of communication for individuals aged 13-34. Emerging quickly onto the social media scene, Snapchat has left many librarians wondering how to incorporate it into their outreach strategy. In this two-part workshop, social media expert Paige Alfonzo responds to this question and teaches you how to successfully leverage Snapchat as a marketing tool—one that can be used for readers’ advisory, promotion, information dissemination, and a variety of other marketing purposes.

In part one, Alfonzo covers the ins and outs of the platform—from teaching you the basics of setting up an account, adding friends, and sending snaps to demonstrating how to annotate snaps, incorporate filters, and use Snapchat Stories and Memories. In part two, Alfonzo delves into the specifics of how to make Snapchat work in libraries by discussing how librarians have successfully used Snapchat to promote their services, then she provides you with an opportunity to participate hands on with Snapchat by sending snaps to each other. The workshop will leave you with useful approaches to get creative with the app and expand your social media strategy.

After part one, participants will be asked to create a Snapchat account and will have the chance to participate in a hands-on learning experience during the second session where they use the app. A device that can download the app is recommended, such as an iPad, tablet, or mobile device. Participants unable to download the app before the workshop can still participate and engage via the chat space.

About the Instructor

Paige Alfonzo received her MS in Library Science from the University of North Texas and B.A. in English from Texas State University. She is currently a PhD student at the University of Denver studying Research Methods and Statistics. Previously, she worked as an academic reference librarian at the rank of assistant professor at the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor. She started blogging about Snapchat in the library starting in 2013. In 2014, she created a Snapchat contest in her library to promote National Library Week. She specializes in social media research, qualitative and mixed methods analysis, and information literacy instruction. In 2016, she published the book Teaching Google Scholar: A Practical Guide for Librarians.

Registration for this ALA Publishing eLearning Solutions Workshop is available on the ALA Store. You can purchase registration at both individual and group rates.

ALA Publishing eLearning Solutions Workshops offer a convenient, hands-on learning experience that will help you and your colleagues make the best decisions for your library. This workshop is licensed for use by staff or users of the purchasing institution or library organization.

ALA Publishing eLearning Solutions (ELS) produces high-quality professional development events and materials for the library profession. ELS events cover modern issues on a wide variety of topics in formats that include live workshops, asynchronous eCourses, and print publications. We help ensure that today’s library employees have access to the professional development opportunities they need, whether they are brushing up on the basics or expanding their horizons with cutting-edge tools. Contact us at elsmarketing@ala.org.

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