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

2. EDCs and social media

3. … In the context of revitalising the EDC Network in the 21st Century
What purpose does the individual EDC or the EDC Network have in the 21st 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…

4. … In the context of revitalising the EDC Network in the 21st Century
Brief results of the survey
Q1: Is your EDC actively involved in using social media?
Q2: If you answered yes, what type of social media does your EDC use?
Q3. On average, how many hours per week do you spend on updating the social media mentioned above
Q4: Reasons for not using social media
Q5: What kind of information do you disseminate via social media?
Q6. What are the main reasons for using social media in your EDC?
Q7. Are your social media activities successful?
Q8. What kind of support does your EDC need to develop its expertise within social media?

5. … In the context of revitalising the EDC Network in the 21st 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

6. … In the context of revitalising the EDC Network in the 21st 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

7. … In the context of revitalising the EDC Network in the 21st 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

8. … In the context of revitalising the EDC Network in the 21st 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

9. … In the context of revitalising the EDC Network in the 21st 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)