West Bend library reports steep social media engagement, shifts to "community driven, reader focused" content

Amber, the West Bend Community Library communications liaison, told the library board on Feb. 18 that the library's social media presence has grown substantially and outlined a new strategy focused on storytelling and partnerships.

"Community driven and reader focused" is the mantra Amber said she will use for every piece of content the library posts. She told the board the library had about 5,558 Instagram followers earlier in the reporting period and, as of that afternoon, "almost 6,000" followers on social platforms. Amber said one viral video had been viewed "1,100,000 times, almost 1,200,000 times" and that the video added roughly 500 followers.

The nut graf: the presentation framed social media as a low-cost, high-reach tool the library will use to build connections with existing patrons and local partners rather than simply advertise specific events. Amber said the library will prioritize regular, community-centered storytelling, staff spotlights, patron features and partner promotions over event-only posts.

Amber reviewed metrics and tactics the board said were driving engagement: pinned weekly schedules (posted on Sunday but receiving more feedback on Monday), short reels and carousel photo posts, and behind-the-scenes "POV" content such as library-cart and story-time footage. She said Facebook has the library's largest audience and that between roughly 50% and 80% of the library's followers see typical posts, which she presented as evidence the content is reaching the local community rather than outside viewers.

Amber described programming to be highlighted on social media in 2025: partner events, volunteer and donor spotlights, the library's genealogy resources, and a short web series called "Cindy in the City" that will feature interviews with local nonprofits and businesses. She described one recurring lighthearted feature: a small aquarium inhabitant she named Ryan Muslin who makes book recommendations, and she mentioned a private-message interaction from a bestselling author identified in the presentation as "PC Cass" after a staff recommendation post.

Board members praised Amber's work and asked for follow-up materials. One member asked for the presentation slides to share with other nonprofit partners; another said the board would circulate the ideas with the city's social media staff. Amber said she would continue to reuse successful older videos and to pin schedule posts to reduce follower questions about program times.

Ending: The board thanked Amber for the report and asked her to return with updates. Several members suggested sharing the presentation with neighboring library staff and community partners to spread tactics they judged effective.