Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: Social Media for Libraries

Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: Social Media for Libraries

Businesses and organizations have joined in participating in social media platforms as a way to reach and interact with their patrons.  Librarians have seen the impact that this interaction can have on their community and are choosing to create a digital pathway to connect with their cyber community. 

 Which social media platform will serve these patrons the best?  Is there one platform that is superior or more widely used?  This post will be sharing some of the many ways that librarians are sharing the value of of their libraries with others, and will focus on the social media platforms of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

Facebook

I've heard from several tweens/young adults that they see Facebook more for adults, than for them.  But it isn't only that reason that young adults/tweens are spending more time on other platforms.    It would seem that their preference in the format of the information shared would lend social media sites like Twitter and Instagram to better suit their needs.  All of that said, Facebook is being used as a powerful tool by organizations and individuals. Below are some examples of how libraries, librarians, and library organizations are using Facebook.

Screenshot from https://www.facebook.com/groups/HackingSchoolLibrariesAndOtherClassrooms/?tn-str=*F&fref=gs&dti=919965418197093&hc_location=group_dialog

 

On Hacking School Libraries (and other classrooms!)  I followed along and read several posts by Kristina Uihlein Holzweiss.  Some of these posts included ways she is using technology,  shared ideas about curriculum and instruction, and used her posts to help share ideas and resources with others.  Below is a screenshot from one of her posts that I followed.

Screenshot from https://www.patriciamnewman.com/blog-4/?fbclid=IwAR2MX90L-tYgmNjzpAyUfj9DgzDpwKBeyQ2oudHM7w-ZgBhHfnxJNsh0_7E

On this page I was able to learn more about how Patricia Newman is sharing ways to connect literature to S.T.E.M. or S.T.E.A.M. lessons.  I'm glad I followed this link.  The resources shared are ones that many teachers and librarians might find very helpful.  While clicking through these links, I saw a link to Follett and wanted to explore how a publisher was using Facebook.

Screenshot from https://www.facebook.com/follettcorp/

Much as you might expect, Follett uses Facebook to share information about their products and offer resources to their patrons.  After spending some time perusing through Facebook school library focused pages, it is clear to see that patrons on Facebook are being provided valuable resources. 

Twitter 

Of the three social media sites, I can see the most value from Twitter.  While I'm not a fan of all the clicking that you may find yourself involved with, while following a path to your inquiry, it seems to be so much more concise and consolidated to read through.  The screenshot and links below show several of the tweets that caught my attention.  Overall, the Twitter platform is being used by libraries in similar ways, offering their patrons valuable resources like Facebook offers.  I do prefer the interface better on Twitter, but it can be frustrating when your trying to find a particular tweet.

Linda Braun Tweet

Screenshot from https://twitter.com/lbraun2000/status/1167155258235052032

This screenshot is a tweet from Linda Braun.  Linda shares interesting resources and ideas with her followers.  A librarian can follow leaders in tech, library associations, businesses, and other libraries to be informed and aware of current events and ideas.  The great thing about finding leaders in tech and other libraries to follow, is that they share their insights and resources with their followers.  This can amplify the affect of one visit on the sight, and allow the users to experience a wide-range of ideas within a short amount of time.  

Gwyneth Jones Tweet

Screenshot from https://twitter.com/GwynethJones/status/1169336243232137216

My experience with using Twitter to explore what ed tech leaders, libraries, and organizations are doing with this platform, has left me with so many valuable and usable resources.  I will more likely be using Twitter to follow some of these leaders, than I would to try to follow them on Facebook. 

Instagram 

Instagram seems to be popular with a wide range of people and is similar to Twitter to Facebook in how libraries use them to connect with their patrons.  The pictures and story portion of Instagram are visually appealing and begin to tell the story of the post through the graphics and pictures.  It is this visual appeal, that I would think also makes it a popular site with young adults.  Many Facebook and Twitter posts are linked to Instagram and vice versa.  These links show that libraries are aware that to reach the most patrons they must share their message on multiple platforms.

Instagram doesn't just offer its users valuable resources.  Teachers and librarians might consider using Instagram in some of their classroom activities such as post class stories or having their students create stories within different units of study in their curriculum.

Reflections

Ultimately, a librarian needs to cast a large net to reach as many cyber and community stakeholders  as they can.  While young adults are moving away from using Facebook, adults, businesses, learning communities and organizations are using Facebook in helpful and powerful ways to target the Facebook community.  Twitter and Instagram posts offer libraries an opportunity to capture a wider range of audience with the addition of more young adults added to the list of users.  Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook are all being used by libraries to successfully reach their communities.