Libraries and Social Media

Social media is almost inescapable. Most people don’t know anyone who isn’t on at least one social media platform. From Facebook pages providing library programming to Pinterest boards showing all the best YA novels to read this year, social media is everywhere. Libraries who are embracing this cultural phenomenon are engaging patrons across the internet.

Invercargill City Libraries Is a perfect example of a library being adaptable and staying current. Their social media team has created content and shared established memes that have been shared numerous times and boosted engagement on their social networks. This of course generates interest in the library and its programs and brings patrons in. The best part is, you don’t need special equipment to generate a meme specific to who you're trying to reach. They are just text over an image and can be created on the most basic preinstalled computer paint programs.

Another great platform for quick engagement is Instagram. From perfectly curated images to quirky disappearing stories. You can create the perfect vibe for your library with a few filters and gifs. The quick pace of InstaStories is a great way to engage young and old alike. You can provide information on impromptu story times, how to’s , behind the scenes and ask questions like “what book are you reading this week?”. The responses and shares on these types of posts show this type of engagement works if you work at it.

Works Cited

Fonseca, Catherine. “The Insta-Story: A New Frontier for Marking and Engagement at the Sonoma State University Library.” Reference & User Services Quarterly, vol. 58, no. 4, Summer 2019, pp. 219–226. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=139336737&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

Woodworth, Andy. “My Body Is Ready: Best Practices for Using Memes on Library Social Media.” Reference & User Services Quarterly, vol. 58, no. 2, Winter 2018, pp. 87–90. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=134186680&site=ehost-live&scope=site.