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Online Outreach & Marketing for Libraries :: Directories & More

Directories & More

Are you listed in popular diectories and services? Listings in online directories are often the top of the search results in Google and Yahoo. Many directories also have user contributed reviews. What are customers saying? You want to know the good AND the critical.

Where to start?

Google Maps - Are you listed? Is your listing accurate? Is your location correct?

• Do a search to see if you're 'on the map' If you are, click on the "edit" link at the bottom of your listing to claim it and update it. Even though you can edit a business location without claiming it, so can everyone else! So do claim your library location.
• If you're not listed, go to Google's Local Business Center to add a listing. It's this entry that provides the details that show on the map.
• Check to see if there are any reviews of your library. Reviews come from a number of sources, make sure you're listed in them as well. (See section on reviews.)
• Users can write reviews right on the Google Maps page.

Yahoo Local Another directory with reviews.

• If you're not listed use the Add a Business
• Take advantage of the opportunity to list languages spoken in your library, services and more

Other Directories:

• MS Live Search (includes reviews from Live Search users and from others sources)
• Super Pages (includes reviews)
• City Search
• Insider Pages (CT search example)
• Yelp - one of the most popular user driven review sites.
• TripAdvisor - Do you have tourists visiting your town? Business visitors? TripAdvisor has great information about local attractions and things to do. And libraries are on their list of attractions. Think what you have to offer the out of town visitor and get listed.
  • Information on Attraction Listings
  • Attraction Listing Request

• WikiMapia  - Zoom in till you find your location on the map. If your library isn't listed already, use the ADD PLACE link to add a listing.

WiFi Directories

Do a web search on your town/school/organization name and wifi. What directories are coming up? Are you listed accurately in them? If you do the search again in a few months, you'll probabaly get different listings! A moving target for sure.

• JiWire - Search for your zip code. Are you listed? Accuratele? Use the CONTACT link to register or update your listsing.
• WiFi FreeSpot - Easy to fill out form to submit a hotspot. Provide a link back to a page on your website that provides details on your wifi service. NOT a link to your home page, too much work then to find the page they need. Include your hours on that page!
• Free WiFi Spots - Fill out this form
• HostSpotr -Users can add reviews as well as search for locations. (example: Wilson Branch, New Haven PL, CT)
• Free HotSpot 

Links to and from your community

• Who's linking to you? Do a Google search on: link:www.yourlibrary.org (make sure you check Google Blog Search too)
• Contact local organizations and government agencies to see if they'll link back to you where appropriate.
• Link back to them as well.
• Better yet - provide some content for their websites. (more on that later)

Wikpedia

Is anyone going to look for you specifically in Wikipedia? Maybe, maybe not. But the content in Wikipedia is well indexed by search engines, so it will help you get your services out there. (Example: Round Lake Public Library,  CT State Library,  Creekview High School Media Center)

Creating /editing a Wikipedia page:

• Create a user account (Login / Create Account link)
• Read tips: Your First Article
• Search for your library/town/organization
• If there's already an article, is it accurate? Edit it! Add more details. 
• If there isn't an article already, you might find it easier to get started by adding a section to your town's Wikipedia page.
• If you edit a page, check the "watch this page" option. You'll get updates when the page is changed.
• Tips:
  • Format for external links: [http://www.westportlibrary.org/ Westport Public Library]
  • Use your own personal page on Wikipedia as a sandbox for learning how to edit in Wikipeda.