Librarians are
now taking advantage of using social media as a way to connect with their
patrons. In today’s society, most everyone we interact with has a Facebook page
or has used it at one point in their lives. With Facebook being a great way to
reach hundreds of people without meeting face to face, it is a great platform
for keeping our students informed even when they are not in the library. If
used correctly, Facebook can grab the attention of hundreds of readers, even
the most reluctant. So how can librarians use Facebook? Librarians can use
Facebook to feature new books, highlight book trailers and book reviews,
advertise events, and provides links to websites that may be helpful to the
patron. Facebook also allows students to give book suggestion and ask research
questions without having to set foot in the library.
The
disadvantage of using Facebook is not using it as a social networking platform.
Using Facebook to promote events and to post book reviews will not be
successful without followers. Librarians must first gain an ample amount of
followers, then they must keep those followers by keeping them engaged.
Librarians must find ways for followers to interact with them and amongst each
other. If librarians are posting information and are not getting any
interaction, rethink what you are posting. Make sure you are aware of the
patron’s interest and post what they may like.
New Providence
Elementary School
https://www.facebook.com/NPESLibraryMediaCenterLearningCommons
New Providence
Elementary used their Facebook page to advertise book fairs, authors’ visits,
and workshops for parents and promotion of reading programs at school. They
also gave student reminders to check out books before school holidays and gave
interest to what type of books teachers where reading. My favorite of all was
the posting of pictures called “shelfies”. Teachers from the school posted
pictures of themselves beside their favorite books in celebration of Library
Month and Poetry Month. To keep followers engaged, from time to time, funny
images were posted like the one below.
New Caney High
School Library
New Caney High School Library used their Facebook page to
promote newly release books by using book trailers and promoting contests and
events. One contest that promoted was a raffle for students to win free lunch
if they could answer questions on the book In
The Heart of the Sea. Their Facebook page encourages interaction with their
students by asking suggestions for summer reading. A QR code was posted where
students could scan and add their suggestions to a Google spreadsheet. Posting
of pictures with students reading and interacting with one another in the
library gave the impression that the library was a cool spot to go to. The one
thing I liked the most was in the about box, a number is given where students
can directly text the librarian for any research questions.
Bloomsbury
School and Library
Bloomsbury
Library encourage their students to visit their Facebook page to “like” their
post by giving away prize packages.They also give suggestions on books to read
and links to sites with book reviews. Bloomsbury as many authors visit and post
pictures of book signings.
I like how you included an image of the library's Facebook page. I would have liked to have thought of that. I like how each library has its own personality.
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