Social Networking and Libraries

By Karen Cosmano

Social networking has become an essential way for libraries to communicate and connect with others. Most of us inherently understand what social networking is because it’s become a way of life, but let’s break it down to discuss library usage. Social networking can have various definitions but typically involves the elements of a person or user creating a profile, generating content that is viewed and interacted with by other users, and forming a lasting connection through followings. The vehicle for social networking is social media although those words are often interchanged with each other (Wright and Yasar).

Social networking has 4 main goals according to Gavin Wright of TechTarget, a network of technology experts. These are to share information, photos, videos, and interests; to learn new information; to interact with others without being present with them; and to market services and products. 

Some of the most popular platforms used today by libraries are Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and Snapchat (Shaw 172-173). Libraries benefit from understanding their community and demographics and assessing which platforms can best reach different groups of people. It’s important for libraries to develop their own social media policy that outlines best practices such as the purpose and scope of social media, who the intended audience is, acceptable and nonacceptable posting behavior, and privacy practices, etc. The American Library Association explains this in detail in Social Media Guidelines for Public and Academic Libraries.

Social networking has its pros and cons. Advantages include bringing awareness to the library and its branding, highlighting services, programs, or physical space, engaging followers, and developing a friendly presence in the community. You never know who you may reach. The flip side of this is you never who you may reach. There is potential for negative comments and reviews and harassment. Other disadvantages are privacy concerns, especially for children/teens. This is why a social media policy is important.

Another pro/con of social networking is that it can help with social isolation yet creates “weak ties.” According to a Library Journal article from February 2024, weak ties are “casual connections and loose relationships” with others as opposed to “strong ties” which are created through frequency and intimacy. However, the article reports that these casual social connections can create a feeling of belonging and still contribute to an individual’s well-being (Rich 13).

All in all, when used thoughtfully, the advantages of social networking outweigh the disadvantages. I personally enjoy following the social media accounts of a few local libraries. They keep me in the loop of the many offerings and I’m more prone to check social media accounts than read an email update, or I consider them a refresher of the email. I like to check out posts of how an event turned out such as costumes and activities from Star Wars Day. It’s also fun to follow social media of some large libraries, such as the Library of Congress (LOC). They give me an idea of what's happening in the greater library world beyond my local community. Here's their latest LOC Instagram post on Brunnhilde the cat. Click on the link to see the caption: Library of Congress Instagram Account

What are some of your favorite library social media accounts? Let us know in the comment box below.

Works cited:

Rich, Hallie. “Hungry for Connection.” Library Journal, vol. 149, no. 2, Feb. 2024, pp. 12–15. https://login.ezproxy.palomar.edu/login?auth=shibboleth&url=https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.palomar.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=175003988&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

“Social Media Guidelines for Public and Academic Libraries.” American Library Association, Accessed 15 May 2024, https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/socialmediaguidelines.

Shaw, Marie Keen. Using Digital Information Services in the Library Workplace. Rowman & Littlefield, 2022.

Wright, Gavien and Kinza Yascar. “social networking.” TechTarget, Dec. 2022, https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/social-networking.

Images:

Pixaby. Accessed 15 May 2024, https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2019/09/09/08/23/internet-4463031_640.jpg.

Instagram. 15 May 2024, https://www.instagram.com/librarycongress/p/C6_qjcXNCkH/?hl=en.