Is social media useful in a school library setting? How? Why? What are some of the best sites, and how can we leverage this media to promote our library programs? These are a few questions I've considered recently, and have created a short, annotated list of the ones I've found most useful.
Google Blogger: Ironically, this post itself is on Google Blogger, so there's no doubt that this app can be very useful as a showcase for your library programs. Operated by Google, and free, Blogger allows you to create your own blog, update, add editors and contributors for collaboration, and link to other social media sites. It's a great tool for networking and getting feedback also.
Instagram: Awesome tool for showcasing your collection, and promoting new materials and books. Because it's so widely used, it will also help you make professional connections, network with other librarians, and highlight events. Instagram stories are created by members themselves, so you have control of what you're sharing.
Twitter: great for connecting with other library professionals and as a discovery tool for new ideas, events and discussion boards. Twitter allows you to engage in discussions about a seemingly infinite range of topics, as well as promote your library program and events.
Facebook: Great tool for networking with other professionals, promoting your collection and recent acquisitions, sharing upcoming events, and highlighting student project work. It can also be use, via facebook marketplace, to get materials for your library at low cost, or as a place to donate older materials.
youtube: On youtube, librarians can create and post informational videos (i.e. how to use a database), make book recommendations or read-aloud videos, create mini-lessons for classroom instruction, and use all of these tools in reverse--to learn, explore and discover new ideas. Again, this tool can be used to promote your library program and highlight your collection.
Goodreads: A subsidiary of Amazon, Goodreads is described as a "social cataloging site" where folks can find and share the best new books. It's probably the best site for reading and writing book recommendations, and a great little tool for librarians who are looking for new materials and want to hear the recommendations of other professionals.
Pinterest: Another discovery and showcase tool that allows you to highlight and post "pins" related to your library collection, events, and classroom collaborations. Also excellent for getting ideas for your library space, including ideas for how to make the space itself more inviting and more accessible. Pinterest is a great way to create a curated library "board" that can be shared with the school community.
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