Recommended tools for social media engagement

 

I feel that Instagram and Facebook are beneficial to libraries.

INSTAGRAM

Library communication teams can use Instagram to encourage visitors to the library. Followers might easily be able to imagine themselves curled up with a book working in a quiet sunny corner of the reading room.

Before an event, libraries are sharing photos of event posters, staff preparing for the event, and other related imagery. These photos can be used to both inform people and build excitement about the event. This platform is a great place for capturing the excitement of author events or special anniversaries, and will hopefully increase interest in future activities the library runs.

FACEBOOK

Facebook can be an effective way for libraries to connect with their customers.   By posting updates on Facebook, libraries can promote programmes and services. 'Followers' can engage with the library by commenting on posts and sharing them with their friends.

As a communication tool, libraries can provide information on the local history of the area which patrons are very interested in reading. The advertising of library events and activities like Instagram can be shared through photos and videos.

How is my local public library using social media?

SOCIAL MEDIA IN RYDE  LIBRARY

Facebook 

Facebook is a platform useful for promoting books and collections in the library.  And also to improve usage by making more customers aware of what is on offer.  Being present in the online community, promoting upcoming events, activities and author talks.  

Students tend to be very active on social media, and librarians have embraced popular platforms as a way to communicate to provide better customer service. 

Twitter

Similar to Facebook as it advertises events, projects in the community, resident information.

 YouTube is a very useful tool for providing information and educating the community through video.  Promoting community and library events, historical information of the area. 

 Instagram 

 Instagram is fast becoming an exciting platform through which Ryde library shares news, achievements, and images of everyday life.

With photos of the latest books available to borrow, snaps of library visitors attending workshops, and shots of behind the scenes activities.

Pinterest 

Beautiful photography featuring everything that's going on in the City of Ryde and highlights the most favourite boards.  Spring Garden Competition, Street Libraries, Historic Ryde, to name a few.

 

 

Changing the arrangement of my blog

After testing different options for the blog I decided to adjust the width of the right sidebar from 250 to 179 of 500px.  I changed the 'Text Colour' to a shade of Rose which compliments the background colours.  Layout changes to the main text and footer. 

Changing the look of my blog

 When I first starting to choose themes I tried many but didn't find one that really appealed to me.  So after searching I decided to try the designer theme.  I found a background scene, graffiti on a wall.  Resembling a Banksy masterpiece.  But I was restricted by how I could layout the blog.  Then I went back to the original themes and chose one I felt would tie in with the topic.  A colourful background yet easy to read with a change of colour. 

Commenting on another blog

 

'THE FATHER' starring Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Coleman.  The movie takes the viewer into the mind of someone with dementia.  An excellent portrayal with both humour and heartbreak. 

Inserting Images

 

STREET ART

How libraries are using social media

 TWITTER

Harvard University Library celebrates at this time of the year graduates from the university.  Congratulatory messages fill the tweets as now the new grads are welcomed into alumni status.  The library welcomes the alumni to access their online services as they venture into various career paths.

A university archivist Megan Sniffin-Marinoff retires from her role after 20 years at Harvard.  She shares one of her favourite 'commencement guest speaker' stories, featuring Winston Churchill secretly entering the U.S through Canada during WWII, and talks about impactful commencement speeches.  One of the speeches, by JFK is held in Harvard archives.

https://twitter.com/HarvardLibrary

YouTube

Advertises' Story Wall' at the State Library of South Australia. Telling fascinating stories of the State. The Story Wall uses state-of-the art projection, through imagery and sound, to tell stories from their collections, treasures and exhibitions. Everything you see is drawn entirely from the libraries collections.

The State Library stores lots of objects for historical purposes, to remember people, places or events in South Australia. These objects are kept in boxes called archival boxes. Video's of how Ely, Hannah and Jake start their own archival boxes.

There are play lists of library resources, arts and culture, business and innovation, environment, sport and leisure.

https://www.youtube.com/user/statelibrarysa

Blog

The Street Library blog is an excellent way to share up to date information. From new libraries opening up in local communities to interesting articles; Sydney's biggest reader who has borrowed 14,000 books in 69 years. Beautiful images of literary street art and murals from around the world. The generosity of people is shown in an image of a book shop leaving books outside after closing, a message on a board says "if you can't afford to leave money for the book/books you can pay later".

https://streetlibrary.org.au/blog/

Facebook

Linen Hall Library in Belfast shows a video of the reopening of its library to normal hours last December after strict lockdown conditions. The Linen Hall Library and Charity Bookshop will be closed on Monday 31 May for the Spring Bank Holiday.  The library informs people of upcoming events: The Ulster-Scots writing competition, celebrating the 250th birthday of political activist Mary Ann McCracken.  Job opportunities are advertised here as well. ' Making the Future' a cross- cultural project with the library and Walking Tours, showing the very different sides of Belfast.  A very informative social media tool. 

https://www.facebook.com/LinenHallLibraryBelfast

Instagram

Lovely images of the university grounds and the buildings.  A student studying in the library, has a bag sitting on the bench with the words 'Library Bag' printed on it.  A mobile phone showing a UNSW library app.  A library bag containing a reusable coffee cup with the words 'Library' and a water bottle with a picture of books.  The images are also reflective of the current trends in the life of the students at the university. 

 https://www.instagram.com/unswlibrary/

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