Social Networking and Libraries
by Karen Nicholson
I follow a lot of libraries and similar groups online at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. I love how funny they can be and how they can connect books and reading to so many other activities and ideas. I think that social media is an important tool that every library can utilize. It is a way to connect and interact with their patrons, especially with younger patrons like teens and young adults. I love it when libraries ask what people are currently reading. This gives the other followers a chance to see what books patrons are interested in and maybe try out some new books to read.
According to Buono & Kordeliski, social media is a great way to provide transparency, engagement and exposure for libraries (30). Transparency allows you to show your users how you are using funds in the library and why. You can show off new book purchases, talk about staff members, or any big ticket items you purchased for the library. Engagement helps you to connect with your patrons and hopefully get them to physically visit the library. Social media is great way to engage and interact with teens at a public or school library. You can help them feel included in what is going on in the library. Exposure allows you to get support and bring in other people who may be interested in what the library has to offer. “It creates a new space for libraries to have value. Beyond their four walls. -Jeremy Graybill” (Dankowski, 41)
It is really nice that there are so many types of social media now, and they can be used in different ways, and all are useful for libraries. Facebook is great to let your patrons know of upcoming events or contests. It is also good for longer posts with more information. Twitter is good for quick updates. A place to showcase stuff that is going on at the moment that patrons may be interested in. You can really build a conversation with younger patrons using Twitter. Find a way to include a fun hashtag that they would want to add to. Instagram is a great way to invite patrons to see what goes on in and around the library. The library can showcase new books and some behind the scenes activities. Snapchat is another way to connect with younger patrons via images and videos. It is similar to Instagram except that the posts only stay up for a limited time. Pinterest is a platform mainly used by women and would be a good way to increase interaction with that population. You can create a board featuring new books, fun book covers, or even unusual titles.
One thing to keep in mind is that it is important to change what you post on different platforms. I often follow libraries and users on 3 different platforms and if the posts are the same on each I am really bored seeing it the third time. Keep in mind the strengths of each social media platform before you post. If it is an event or time sensitive post, switch it up a little for each platform to make it interesting.
Want to check out the San Marcos Middle School Library Instagram? You can find it @smmslibrary
Sources:
Buono, Michael P. and Amanda Kordeliski. "Connect, Create, Collaborate." Young Adult Library Services, vol. 11, no. 2, Winter2013, pp. 30-40. EBSCOhost, ezproxy.palomar.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=85125538&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
Dankowski, Terra. "How Libraries Are Using Social Media." American Libraries, vol. 44, no. 5, May 2013, pp. 38-41. EBSCOhost, ezproxy.palomar.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=87453442&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
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