{"id":1158,"date":"2020-03-12T15:07:19","date_gmt":"2020-03-12T20:07:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nmrt.ala.org\/notes\/?p=1158"},"modified":"2021-06-03T14:20:41","modified_gmt":"2021-06-03T19:20:41","slug":"social-media-libraries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nmrt.ala.org\/notes\/social-media-libraries\/","title":{"rendered":"Social Media & Libraries"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Lauren Puzier<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"AuthorBioPhoto\"<\/a>
Lauren Puzier is the User Experience Librarian at the UAlbany Libraries. Her research interests include the incorporation of new and emerging technologies in higher education, user-centered and service design, and reference services. Previously, she was the Acting Head Librarian for the New York Library at Sotheby’s Institute of Art.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

(5-minute read) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social media is widely used by libraries and their patrons, from blogs, micro-blogs, chat apps, social gaming and the larger social networks. Did you know that Facebook, a leading social network, had 2.45 billion monthly active users as of October 2019? 79% of the U.S. population had a social networking profile in 2019, an increase from 77% in 2018 (We are Social, 2020a). Globally, Eastern Asia and North America had the highest number of social media users (We are Social, 2020b). The NMRT January discussion focused on how our institutions are using social media (or not using it). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frequency<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Participating members shared that they post to social media at all different frequencies, and this may depend on the social platform their library uses.  Hootsuite warns against overposting, noting that it is easier to overpost to Facebook or Linkedin versus sites such as Twitter. (Clarke, 2019). One way to avoid over posting to Instagram is to utilize the stories feature, which was designed to allow constant posts without spamming viewers. Stories allow social media users the option to engage with the content, allowing them to swipe a story away if they don?t want to view it (Buchanan, 2020). Some libraries shared that they post 2-4 times a month, once a week and 2-3 times a day across different platforms. One library noted that they increase their posts when there are upcoming events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Content<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to what to post on social media, NMRT members had many ideas. Posts cover topics such as new resources, trials, library hours, upcoming events, as well as special dates during the month that will feature library collections. In addition, one member shared that their library posts fun trending memes and noted they were ?expanding to try to more “National Day of” or collection highlights and other trending info. We’ve created a calendar of days\/topics we want to post about and members of the team can claim which ones they want to create and post.? (Kiebler, 2020).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div>
View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a>

Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy today. And living the message posted by demonstrators on signs in April 1968: “Let his death not be in vain.” Photo Retrieved from the Library of Congress, www.loc.gov\/item\/2011648323 #MLKDay #PaceLibraries #IHaveADream<\/a><\/p>

A post shared by Pace Library<\/a> (@pacelibrary) on