For easy quick stuff, I use /var/tmp/lib directory for my *.so symbolic links (and then export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/var/tmp/lib/) to avoid the headache of tampering with /usr/lib/... Yes I like to keep it clean. Initially I had /usr/local/lib for this purpose, but I figured it is still on mmcblk0p1 so it 'might' be a bit riskier... That's why I chose tmp directory. It's always nice to play safe, people!
It's automated.