Britta Rice from the Friday Memorial Library in New Richmond attended the Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries Conference this spring, thanks to a grant from IFLS, provided by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction using funds from the federal agency IMLS. Check out this interview with her about the session that had the most impact for her:
I understand that the most relevant session you attended at WAPL was Search to Shelf: Optimizing Your Library on Google, especially considering that the library will soon be moving to a new home. What was the gist of the session?
The purpose of this session was to get libraries better Google search results by improving their Google Business Profiles. Three speakers (two library staff and one professional photographer) walked attendees through the entire process from claiming your Google Business Profile to tips and tricks for optimizing your profile. This ranged from simple things like making sure to update your business hours for holiday closures to 360 tours.
What are some of the things you hope to implement/include as a result of this session?
As we move into a new building near the end of this year, there are so many things that I’m excited to implement, but one of the most impactful changes I can make is to the images on our profile. The presenters focused on the importance of having quality images on your Google Business Profile because people want to know what to expect when they visit your library. They also stressed that these images should be updated at least quarterly. We often put so much thought into our displays and decorating; we should show them off! I plan to upload high-quality images on a quarterly/monthly basis in our new space. But one of the things I’m most excited about is the prospect of putting together a 360 tour.
Did the session include suggestions and resources for creating a 360 tour, or any of the other elements you are excited to work on? If so, can you share one or two?
The presenters shared how the Bridges Library System came up with a lower-cost way to create 360 tours for their libraries rather than hiring an independent contractor. The system partnered with a local Google-certified photographer to train a system staff member on how to take images for 360 tours. The system purchased the necessary camera equipment, so that they always have it available. The staff member then tours each library during closed or quieter hours to take the 360 photos. The photos are then uploaded to a virtual tour platform set up by the photographer. Individual libraries are given control of how they want their tours to look but system staff are also trained to help. I think this is a fantastic use of time and resources that are shared across the library system. I would be in support of IFLS pursuing something similar that could benefit all of our libraries!