HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-07-20; Library's Use of Social Media (Districts - All); Ray, KristinaCouncil Memorandum
July 20, 2023
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Carlsbad
Memo ID# 2023074
To: Honorable Mayor Bia kb r and Members of the City Council
From: Kristina Ray, Direct nication & Engagement
Via: Scott Chadwick, Cit a
Re: Libra ry's Use of Social Media (Districts -All)
The purpose of this memorandum is to address a community concern expressed at the
July 18, 2023, City Council meeting regarding city library staffs access to social media as a way
to share information about library programs, services and events.
Background
The Carlsbad City Library established a social media presence in 2011 with a Facebook page and
Twitter channel. This timing coincided with the launch of citywide Facebook, Twitter and
YouTube channels. In 2013, the city launched an lnstagram channel for citywide news and
events.
Discussion
City social media policy and guidelines
Because government social media accounts are subject to different laws than commercial and
private social media accounts, the city has developed staff policies and public terms of use to
ensure the city's social media use conforms with these laws. Staff must demonstrate an
understanding of these policies and terms of use before being approved to post directly to a
city channel.
Over the years, management ofthe library's social media channels has been shared between
library staff and staff in the city's Communication & Engagement Department, based on
availability, interests and other factors.
Content strategy
Decisions about what content to share, when and how are based on a number of factors,
including cost effectiveness. With citywide social media channels having a greater reach than
library channels, utilizing the citywide channels has been a cost-effective way to raise
awareness of library offerings. For example, below is a summary of library-related social media
shared over the past month. Note, this includes only library-specific content, not Cultural Arts
programming.
Communication & Engagement
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive I Carlsbad, CA 92010 I 442-339-5352 t
Council Memo -Library's Use of Social Media (Districts -All)
July 20, 2023
Page 2
Library content shared June 18 to July 17, 2023
City Facebook Page (51,967 followers)
City lnstagram channel (19,200 followers)
City Twitter channel (news focus, n/a)
TOTAL
Library Facebook Page (3,184 followers)
Library Twitter channel (inactive since Jan. 2022)
TOTAL
Next Steps
# Reach Engagement
7 19,578 858
7 22,827 648
0 0 0
14 42,405 1506
5 3,584 529
0 0 0
5 3,584 529
The 2022 addition of a Community Outreach & Partnerships position at the library could
provide new opportunities to expand the library's social media presence. The city's
Communication & Engagement Department will continue to work with library staff to evaluate
the most effective and efficient strategies and channels to meet their communication needs.
cc: Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager
Cindie McMahon, City Attorney
Gary Barberio, Deputy City Manager, Community Services
Suzanne Smithson, Library & Cultural Arts Director