using social media to break down walls

Breaking Down Walls:Using Social Media to Build

Partnerships and Generate Fresh Ideas

Larry BlumenthalRobert Wood Johnson Foundation

June 30, 2009

Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, LC-USW36-318 

Top Reasons for Not Using Social Media

Collection of National Media Museum

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Top Reasons for Not Using Social Media

Don’t have time Too much work Don’t have resources Senior staff don’t see

value/not sure of ROI May face criticism Loss of control

Not relevant to my work

Collection of National Media Museum

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What We Do

• Give Ideas Wings

• Build Partnerships

• Help Set Agenda

• Share Knowledge

Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, LC-B2- 2542-5

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Launched: August 2006

Goal:Generate conversation, feedback and new ideas to pursue

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Launched:April 2009

Goal: Join the conversation on health reform, provide perspective and context

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Launched: December 2008

Audience: More than 1,000 followers

Goal: Connect with others who can make a difference on our issues

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Launched:April 2009

Goal:Share our story

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Launched: December 2008

Goal:Tap into the wisdom of the crowd

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Launched: June 2009

Goal:Tap into the wisdom of the crowd

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Launched:Earlier this year

Goal:Pilot new ways of generating ideas from field

Results:285 entries from 21 countries

History:Five competitions so far

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Projected Launch Date:July 2009

Goal:Pilot new way of Interacting with field, generating ideas

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Lessons Learned

•Strategy is helpful

•Baby steps are OK

•Start conversations

•Create connections

• Harder than it looks

•A different lens

The New York Public Library. New York Public Library Archives.

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Discussion

Larry BlumenthalRobert Wood Johnson Foundation

www.rwjf.orglblumenthal@rwjf.org

George Eastman House Collection

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