How to use online communities

How to use IfL online communities 

We ask you to read IfL’s terms and conditions on the use of online communities before you log in for the first time. 

1.Getting started

• Log in to the IfL website using your email address/membership number and password
• Click on the Community link

You can change your profile on the online communities to suit you at any time

• Click on the Manage account link on the left of the screen
• Click on change profile photo if you wish to change your profile picture
• You can use the default images or upload your own photo. To use the default images, select Default photo from the drop-down menu in the From an Album section
• Alternatively click on Browse in the Upload section to use your own photo or image
• Once you have selected your chosen picture and it appears on the screen, click Update to save

You can also personalise your profile with further information about yourself.

• Select Edit Profile from the Manage account menu
• You will need to complete the date of birth field but you are able to hide this information. See Edit Privacy and Settings, below
• The Description field can be used to enter information about you. This field is optional.
• Tags are key words that can help to identify your interests should other members wish to search for you. Separate tags with a comma. For example, chef, WBL, Volunteer Connection
• Your IfL membership number is required but will not be visible to other users. This is necessary should you wish to join one of the closed groups at any point in the future.
• Once you have completed your profile information, click Update to save

You can also identify your location in order to communicate with others in your geographical area.

• Select Edit Location from the Manage account menu
• Add your location details in as much or little detail as you wish. You do not need to complete this information if you do not wish to.
• Once you have updated your location details, click Update to save

Finally you can also set your profile to hide or make available personal information as you wish.

• Select Edit Privacy and Settings from the Manage account menu
• Complete the privacy and notification settings to suit you. 
  
• Once you have updated your privacy settings, click Update to save

 2.Building your online community

It’s up to you as to how you would like to interact with others or participate in IfL’s online communities.

In order for any other members to be able to view your profile, you will need to select  ‘Everyone’ under Who can view your profile. This can be found unter the Edit Privacy and Settings section as described in section 1.

Alternatively, you can set your profile so only your Friends can view your details. Please note, your personal details, such as membership number or other information that you wish to keep hidden will not be available even to Friends.

One way to start building your own community is to invite contacts via email. Please note that only current IfL members are able to join the IfL online community.

• Click Invite Contacts in the menu on the left of the screen
• You can invite up to 350 contacts via email. To do so, enter the email address, separated by a comma if you’re inviting more than one person.
• You can use the standard message or personalise your own 
  
• Once complete, click Invite Contacts to send your invitation

You can also connect with other IfL members on the online community by clicking on the Members tab at the top of the screen.

• You can browse the members list and send a message, a friend request or simply give them a wave

• As you build your Friends list, they will appear under this tab

• As new members join the IfL online community you will be able to view them in the New Members section
• You are able to search for other members via the Advanced Search tab.
• If you know the person’s name you can enter their first name and first initial of their surname in the Nickname field, eg. Jane A 
  
• Alternatively you can search by keyword for those with similar interests (as identified in the Tags section under Edit Profile, above), eg. Chef, WBL, Volunteer Connections. This search will bring up the profiles of any other members who share your interests.
• Moderators are IfL staff who manage the online communities on your behalf. If you have any queries, please contact webmaster@ifl.ac.uk in the first instance to ensure that your email is dealt with promptly

3.Getting involved with online groups

• Groups are defined broad areas of interest in which a number of different discussions can take place.
• Groups are set up by IfL but if you would like to suggest an idea for a new group, you can contact us at webmaster@ifl.ac.uk. We will either set up the group for you or if there is something already set up that is similar, we’ll let you know where it is. We aim to respond to your query within 5 working days.
• Most groups are open to all IfL members. The only closed groups are those that involve a very specific community including:

o IfL Fellows

o IfL Regional Advisers

o IfL Volunteer Connections

• If you wish to join a closed group, click Request Membership and then OK. You will need to ensure that you have entered your IfL membership number in your profile (see section 1 Getting Started) to ensure that we can verify and approve your request promptly. We aim to respond to membership requests for closed groups within 5 working days.
• To join all the other open groups, select Join Group and then OK
• Once you have joined your chosen group, you can view the group profile by clicking on the link or the group name. You will see a profile page that provides a brief description of the group, recent activity, forum discussion and other members of that group.
• Scroll down to the forum within the group where you will see a list of topics that have been discussed within that group
• Unlike the groups, anyone can set up a new forum topic discussion. Enter your topic title and your question or comment.
• Once you have set this up, you can check the Notify by email checkbox should you wish to be alerted to any responses or discussion on your topic.

You are also able to participate in existing discussions under the group forums.

• Click on the topic to view the discussion so far
• You can add your own comments or questions
• Click the Notify me by email checkbox if you wish to be alerted to any further discussion in this topic area
• Click Preview Post first if you wish to see your comments and then Reply to publish
• The group wall can be used for updates or discussions relevant to the whole group (rather than specific topics). Any comments on the wall will also appear in the activity feed at the top of the page.
• The forums tab provides a summary of the different discussions going on across various groups.
• By clicking on the Forum tab at the top of the page, you will be taken to the Public Forum, which is a single general discussion. This section does not contain different topic areas
• By clicking on New Posts you can view all of the latest activity on the online communities. Click on the topic to see the discussion so far and if you wish, join in
• The My Groups tab within Forums will show all of the topics going on within the groups of which you are currently a member
• My Watched Topics provides a list of any discussions for which you may have marked the Notify me by email checkbox. You do need to participate in the discussion to be able to monitor different topics.
• My Topics is a list of any discussions that you have initiated

 4.Making the most of your online communities

The purpose of IfL’s online community is to share resources and experiences, answer questions, support fellow IfL members or seek support for your professional practice. By viewing and participating in discussions, you can contribute to the development of these communities and help them thrive.

The best way to get used to using these communities is to have a go and explore what the communities have to offer. Start off by setting up your profile, get in contact with colleagues, comment on a post or even better start your own.

If you have any other questions about IfL’s online communities, contact webmaster@ifl.ac.uk