Introduction/Content:
Welcome to the fourth thing in 12 Things SWKLS 2018. This month we’re going to learn about Facebook Live. Facebook Live allows you to post live videos to your Facebook feed either on a branded business page or your personal page. Facebook favors videos in their feed and especially favors Facebook Live Videos. Once a live video is finished, you can also post it to your page so followers can view it later. Facebook Live also has the capability to let people post questions live as you are recording. This creates a live question and answer experience.
The activities for this lesson are due April 30 at 11:59 pm central time and are worth 2 credit hours. Estimated work time: 1-2 hours. Please complete all activities.
I know not all of you have Facebook or may not have the equipment to post a Facebook Live Video. If you would rather complete an alternate topic, please go to the alternate topic page and pick one from the list. You are also welcome to choose past topics or topics from the first round of Things.
If you get stuck and need help, please don’t hesitate to ask.
What you’ll learn in this lesson:
- Tips for creating a Facebook Live Video
- Some ideas on how to use Facebook Live for libraries
- How to record a Facebook Live Video
- How to post a Facebook Live Video
Exercises: (Due April 30, 2018 at 11:59 pm CDT)
Tools you will need:
- A tablet, smart phone, or other device with the Facebook app.
- You can also use a laptop or a desktop with a webcam (you’ll have to use the Chrome browser).
- An Internet connection.
- A personal or Facebook library page.
Activity 1: (15 – 30 min)
-
- Take a few minutes to watch the Chewbacca Mom Facebook Live video that went viral a few years ago.
- Watch part of at least two of the Facebook Live Videos archived videos posted below: (some of them are longer… so watching just part of them is fine!)
- Join us for Something Eggciting (Scott County Public Library)
- New Storywalk® Story (Dodge City Public Library)
- Blockfest at Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library
- Live at the OverDrive Digital Bookmobile (not the best sound due to wind, but still a good idea to promote an event. )
- Under Construction at Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library
- I Buy Books (Book Sale Promotion)
- Chef Alli Live Tater Salad in her Pressure Cooker
- If you haven’t ever watched a Live Facebook video while it’s Live, watch one to get the real-life experience. These Facebook Pages regularly have Facebook Live Videos.
Activity 2: Tips (10 min)
- Read How to Broadcast a Facebook Live Event in 5 Easy Steps from TechSoup.
- This is what the Start a live video button looks from your library’s Facebook page via a browser.
- The button will look similar to this on a smartphone:
- Note: If you use the app, there are also filters available and other options.
- If you don’t feel comfortable posting a Facebook Live Video from your library page, try it out on your personal page first to see how it goes.
- Think about how the orientation of the camera on your device and try not to move the device around too much, turn it sideways, or upside down.
- You’re welcome to do this in groups or pairs if you prefer. Just make sure you each record/post a Facebook Live video.
- Working in pairs or groups is handy to have someone else watching the comments or recording.
- Make sure you give your Facebook Live a good description. It’s also helpful to put Live in the description so people know the video is/was live.
- Keep it short! No one wants to sit and watch a long video.
- There are some cases where there are exceptions.
- Make sure you have everyone’s permission you are recording/broadcasting.
Activity 3: (5-10 min)
- Think of some ways your library could use Facebook Live. Take a few minutes to write down these ideas.
- If you’re stuck. Here are a few ideas:
- Show a new device such as a 3D printer in action.
- Show new books/items you have received.
- Capture Lego creations or other creations people have made at the library.
- Introduce staff.
- Make an announcement.
- Booktalks.
- Upcoming events.
- Showcase a favorite book or staff picks.
- Show a tour of the library.
- Do storytime activities online (Stevens County has been doing this in a closed Facebook group during winter and it’s been very successful. Stacey has sang songs, talked about books, has had a puppet as a guest, etc.)
- Keep in mind, in most cases you should not read a book online because of copyright infringement.
- If you’re stuck. Here are a few ideas:
Activity 4: (10 – 30 min)
- Post a Facebook Live Video.
- Post below what you learned and the link to your Facebook Live video (optional).
- Reply to at least one other person’s comment.
We DID IT! https://www.facebook.com/sclreads/ our fb live was eggciting!!!! It wasn’t too terribly bad except that I talk fast and I should have given viewers more time to get logged on before jumping right in!
I hope to do better when we go live in 21 days with hatching eggs!!!
We set up my laptop to do the fb live on and it worked really well.
Great work you two! I loved your preview image, too.
The eggs are a great idea, something you can keep going back to!
What a neat idea!! Now we will be inspired to want to go back and check on those little eggs and see how they are doing!!
Very cool!
I just did one on Friday when it was raining.
https://www.facebook.com/theamazingflyingkitts/videos/10100943702894260/
Very cool!
I just did one on Friday when it was raining.
https://www.facebook.com/theamazingflyingkitts/videos/10100943702894260/
Can’t wait to see all those fuzzy little charmers! Baby animals are so cute. Good Job!
I thought we did great for our first time! I was nervous at first but surprisingly calm during the actual video. Next time, we decided to give more time for people to log on by asking a question to whoever is on like what are you doing today or what book are you reading now. Then we can waste time by reading the comments and telling people what we are up to or books we are reading.
I think this is a fun way to bring attention to things at our library. I don’t anticipate using it often but for unique things so people and (me) don’t get burned out lol
You can check out our live video on Scott County Library’s facebook page.
You both did eggcellent! Thanks for taking the plunge. I am glad you had so many viewers. I can’t wait for your 21 day video.
Yep! I got way to excited and anxious about doing the fb live so I just jumped right in and didn’t wait…like Jessica told me we should … but there’s always next time….right? maybe???
Yep! I got way to excited and anxious about doing the fb live so I just jumped right in and didn’t wait…like Jessica told me we should … but there’s always next time….right? maybe???
Cimarron City Library did our first live video this morning! We went our new movies, books, and end caps…even gave a shout out to Stevens County!
Good job!
Good idea for showing new books and showing new things at the library! It would be a good way to show people who haven’t been in a while and maybe get their interest so they will come visit!
We went live here at Cimarron City Library today!! I didn’t do the talking I left that up to Joanie but, I ran the camera! That counts right! It was fun to share what we have been working on here and let people know about the changes we have made! We are planning on making this a regular thing and trying every Friday to GO LIVE! It was also fun to see what the other libraries have been doing as well!
It totally counts. Good job. I’m excited to see more lives.
Awesome! Friday FUNday!!!!
You both did great. Running the camera is an important part of the process.
We don’t have the link yet. But our Friends group is drawing for the Membership Drive Prize Winner via Facebook Live. But not until May 1st. I have used it a couple of times personally. It helps if you are broadcasting when there might be a lot of people online. Not sure how you determine that, but probably 8am wouldn’t be a popular one.
Well, the first time is over. Next time I will have someone else man the camera…nice shot up my nose! Anyway it sounded good, I do need to slow down the movements but for the first attempt, not bad. It was actually easier than I thought it would be. Maybe I’m not too old for new technology!!!! I can see where having a phone where you can see what you are filming would be helpful also. See my first attempt at http://www.facebook.com/meadepubliclibrary.
Great job, Audrey! You did awesome. I am so glad you took the plunge!
I learned I talk too fast, which is not really a shock to me. It has also been a really busy day so I was rushing around before and I am still rushing around now. I need to plan the time better, I just did it on Friday because we didn’t have “things” happening during that time. I also did this one all by myself, so it was definitely new for me. The staff had lots of advice on how to position the camera better next time, as I am not a “selfie” expert, lol.
Good job, Laurie. I tend to talk too fast as well. I think it’s hard for a lot of our libraries to find a time where it isn’t busy or you’re not rushing around trying to get things done. I am betting Stacey gave you lots of great camera advice! lol.