Social Networking and Libraries

 

    Social media can be a great tool for outreach and connection. Libraries can utilize social media to share photos and videos, promote events and programs, upload webinars and programs online, hold book discussions, and so much more. 

    One way that libraries can utilize social media is to share photos and videos. Instagram is great app for this use. The San Diego Public Library has an account for the main library and for the teens section of the library. Both accounts have photos and videos of events, book selections, and programs. They also both have multiple "highlights" which are story posts that are saved under specific examples. The main library has one highlight titled "Where Are We Wednesday?" where they post photos of a different spot in one of the library branches and people can write in and guess where the photo was taken. They also have a highlight called "Ask An Expert" where you can reply any question about the library and one of the staff members answers the questions for. The other highlights give information on events and programs going on in different months like pride month, comic con, and more. On the teen library page they have three highlights, "Star Wars Day", "Class of 2020", and "BHM Books". 

    Another great way to utilize social media is through YouTube. YouTube is a great way to post educational videos, webinars, full coverage of events, and more. On the San Diego Public Library's YouTube page, they have playlists and multiple categories of videos. These categories include how-to videos for crafts and hobbies, livestreams (past and present), special events, book recommendations, virtual author events, and information on the history of the San Diego Public Library. 

        TikTok is a newer way to connect through social networks. TikTok provides short form videos for quick info, but you can provide links for further information. Tons of libraries use TikTok, but surprisingly I could not find one for San Diego Public Library. One of my favorite videos on TikTok is from the Herrick District Library in Holland. This video was posted around the last eclipse. One of the library staff is outside looking up at the sky and says, "Whoa! Is that the Eclipse?". Then another library staff member comes up and says, "Don't forget your glasses!" while handing the first staff member protective glasses for eclipse viewing. The first staff member puts on the glasses, looks up at the sky, and then it switches to their point of view. Here we see two hands holding up Eclipse by Stephanie Meyers. The caption on this video says, "Come to our eclipse viewing party. . ." I think this was a great way to advertise their event and make a fun video. This library also has a video where they introduce their library staff. This is another great way to utilize social media and create community. Library users can learn about their local library's staff members and maybe feel a little more comfortable to ask questions the next time they visit. 

    Social media can be used to create community and share information to a large audience quickly. I think it is extremely important that libraries recognize the impact they can make through social networks. 

Sources:

Herrick District Library. [@herrickdl]. (2024, April 4). Come to our eclipse viewing party at the North 

     Branch on April 8 from 2-4pm, where you can get your [Video]. TikTok. 

     https://www.tiktok.com/@herrickdl/video/7354122998951071018

Herrick District Library. [@herrickdl]. (n.d.). Herrick District Library in Holland, MI! Connect, discover,

      create [TikTok profile]. Retrieved May 8, 2024, from https://www.tiktok.com/@herrickdl?

     _t=8mDRumvG46A&_r=1

Marie Keen Shaw. (2022). Using Digital Information Services in the Library Workplace : An Introduction

     for Support Staff. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. 

Pietroluongo, L. (2022, September 20). 12 social media books website owners should be reading in 2021. Elegant Themes Blog. https://www.elegantthemes.com/blog/marketing/social-media-books 

San Diego Public Library [@sdpubliclibrary]. (n.d.). Posts [instagram profile]. Instagram. Retrieved 8 

     May, 2024, from https://www.instagram.com/sdpubliclibrary/

San Diego Public Library Teens [@sdplteens]. (n.d.). Posts [instagram profile]. Instagram. Retrieved 8

     May, 2024, from https://www.instagram.com/sdplteens/

YouTube. (n.d.). San Diego Public Library. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@sdpubliclibrary 

   

Libraries as Social Hubs

 Building Community: Libraries as Social Hubs

Ashley Lampert

    Libraries have long been known as a place to study, read, and learn. They are centers for knowledge, but libraries have also long been spaces for social interaction as well as a place for learning. Many libraries put on events, provide programming for kids and teens, and create spaces where you can hang out with peers.

    Libraries contribute so much to their communities, including places to make new friends. Through programs like book clubs, theme nights, and workshops, people of all ages can meet over shared interests. The San Diego Public Library has multiple book clubs, a concert series, art and cultural exhibits, and a how-to festival where you can take a bunch of different classes and workshops to learn a new hobby. You can find events for your local library on their website's events page. 

    Another great way that libraries create community is through programming for kids and teens. Some libraries will find local entertainers to create small concerts, read aloud sessions, and more. The San Diego Public Library has even created a specific space for teens. They have a section of the library that is exclusively for teens and has a recording studio for library users to record podcasts or music. They also provide programs for gaming including courses on coding and how to build your own video game. The San Diego Public Library also provides programs in partnership with the Media Arts Center San Diego. These programs were built to create relationships with teens and young adults in the City Heights area. The library and the center provide training programs in filmmaking, marketing, social media, and other creative outlets. 

    Your local library can be a great place to make new friends, learn a new hobby, and create community in your area. You can visit your library and ask about upcoming events, workshops, or meet ups. You can also visit your library's website to view their calendar to find a program or event. 

 Sources:

Change, A. of. (2024, April 9). Library social work. Agents of Change Social Work Test Prep.               

            https://agentsofchangeprep.com/blog/library-social-work/ 

Penny Peck. (2014). Crash Course in Children's Services: Vol. Second Edition. Libraries Unlimited. 

Rich, H. (2024). Hungry for Connection. Library Journal, 149(2), 12-15.

San Diego Public Library. (2018, February 20). SDPL teen space, part 1. YouTube. 

            https://youtu.be/hBfcucYg9pI 

San Diego Public Library. (n.d.). City of san diego official website. Programs & Events | City of San Diego 

             Official Website. https://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/news-events 

    

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Libraries and the Homeless

Libraries and the Homeless
By Jennifer Miranda

This marginalized population has no place to reside, and safety can be an issue for many homeless people on San Diego streets.  There is not just one specific reason a person is homeless it could be from suffering from severe mental illness, drug addiction, legal issues, loss of employment or a combination of the problems noted.  Another obstacle in San Diego is the high cost of living that causes it to be extremely difficult to find affordable housing.  On a daily basis this underserved population uses the library to charge their phone, use the bathrooms and utilize the facility as a safe haven from residing on the streets.  According to the library staff at San Diego Central Library an extremely high usage of the facility is that of the homeless.  An exception to this would be when a library event is occurring.  In addition, many patrons are now using the eLibrary (digital resources) instead of visiting the brick-and-mortar library location in person (Warth).

The library recognizes that many of this underserved community are daily patrons at the library.  They have no other alternative location to go that is free.  The Central Library has had to increase their budget for security enforcement to maintain the safety of all patrons.  The library has had suicide attempts, drug overdoses and mental health crisis situations.  Unfortunately, the library has also had an increased incidents where the San Diego Police Department has had to be dispatched.  However, some of the police involvement has been on the exterior of library near homeless encampments that have appeared (Winkley).  To better serve this population the library has emulated the San Francisco Library and acquired a social worker to provide resources (Warth).

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The Role of the Library in Determining Student Success

 The Role of the Library in Determining Student Success

By Melissa Arreola

Image by M. Ikhwan Habib, courtesy of Vecteezy

What does it mean to be a successful student? Success can be measured in many ways, whether it be reaching academic goals, receiving passing grades, or obtaining a degree or diploma. Sometimes it just means feeling a sense of achievement and personal self-satisfaction. Wherever your definition of success lies – library resources can help you get there. There is an abundance of data that supports the idea of libraries contributing to student success in a major way. Let’s take a look at just how they do it.

A four-year long study done by librarians at the University of North Texas was conducted to evaluate the impact of library instruction on student outcomes. The study compared two groups of students, all of whom were enrolled in a core-level English class – one group received a one-shot library instruction session while the other group did not (Rowe, et al). Their findings concluded that there was indeed a positive correlation between attending the library session and achieving success, which in their study was defined by GPA, pass/fail status, and retention (Rowe, et al). By receiving just one instructional session, students were able to statistically outperform those who hadn’t. Knowing what the library has to offer in terms of resources as well as knowing how to access them clearly provides a measurable advantage in terms of academic achievement.

This study also highlights how important information literacy is and its impact on success rates, especially for students who come from low-income or rural areas who are unaware of the vast amount of resources libraries have to offer. As Michelle Adam said in a 2011 issue of The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education, “students benefit little from resources if they don’t know how to use them” (Adam).

While numbers and percentages can give us insight into the quantitative indicators of success, understanding personal opinions sheds light on why those numbers are what they are. Researcher Jennifer Meyer and her colleagues conducted a study with a multimethod approach to understand the factors contributing to undergraduate student success at the University of Northern Colorado. In their study, they not only looked at statistical data, they also conducted student interviews in order to tap into the minds of those who actually use the library in pursuit of their academic goals. When asked how the library contributed to their success as students, a lot of them shared similar thoughts, like how the library is perceived as a calming place to focus where distractions are limited and there are people there who can either help with tasks or provide a sense of camaraderie (Mayer, et al). Many mentioned the abundance of resources – from databases and archival materials to software packages, equipment, and access to other types of technology that they may not otherwise be able to afford (Mayer, et al). The general consensus throughout all of the interviews was that the library as a whole provides both a physical space and the resources needed for students to reach their fullest academic potential.

Libraries are known for being informational pipelines, making them a vital factor in academic success for all ages. From supporting school curriculums in grade schools and colleges, to providing beneficial access to technology and software that supplement higher learning, libraries are spaces with undeniable value. Knowing how to access and take advantage of what the library has to offer can often be a determining factor in the achievement of student success.

For more information and research studies tackling this topic, check out the links below:

Initiatives for Student Success: The Key Role of the Library

The Library's Impact on University Students' Academic Success and Learning

References:

Rowe, Jennifer, et al. “The Impact of Library Instruction on Undergraduate Student Success: A Four-Year Study.” College & Research Libraries, vol. 82, no. 1, Jan. 2021, pp. 7–18. EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.ezproxy.palomar.edu/10.5860/crl.82.1.7.

Adam, Michelle. "Academic Libraries at the Heart of Student Success." The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education, vol. 21, no. 21, Aug 22, 2011, pp. 8-9. ProQuest, https://login.ezproxy.palomar.edu/login?auth=shibboleth&url=https://www.proquest.com/magazines/academic-libraries-at-heart-student-success/docview/905665379/se-2.

De Groote, Sandra. “The Library’s Impact on University Students’ Academic Success and Learning.” Uic, Oct. 2021, www.academia.edu/55984257/The_Library_s_Impact_on_University_Students_Academic_Success_and_Learning.

Habib, M. Ikhwan. “Education Knowledge concept.” Vecteezy, 27 Nov. 2022, www.vecteezy.com/vector-art/1952456-education-knowledge-concept.

Mayer, Jennifer, et al. “Undergraduate Student Success and Library Use: A Multimethod Approach.” College & Research Libraries, vol. 81, no. 3, Apr. 2020, pp. 378–98. EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.ezproxy.palomar.edu/10.5860/crl.81.3.378.

Rowe, Jennifer, et al. “The Impact of Library Instruction on Undergraduate Student Success: A Four-Year Study.” College & Research Libraries, vol. 82, no. 1, Jan. 2021, pp. 7–18. EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.ezproxy.palomar.edu/10.5860/crl.82.1.7.

Clarivate, Ex Libris Part Of. “Initiatives for Student Success: The Key Role of the Library.” Library Journal, www.libraryjournal.com/story/initiatives-for-student-success-the-key-role-of-the-library-lj220421.

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Hoping for Humanity: Libraries and the Homeless

 Hoping for Humanity: Libraries and the Homeless

By Melissa Arreola

Image by Matt Collamer

Just as libraries are so much more than their books, librarians are so much more than conduits to information. They are helpers at heart who genuinely care for the members of their communities – and that includes those experiencing homelessness. Librarians are advocates for the underserved and hold the necessary tools to make a difference. In a world where unhoused individuals experience biased dismissal, scrutiny, discrimination, and stigmatization, the library becomes a haven as well as a gateway to possibility where they can actively work on self-development, gain knowledge and skills, and simply just be.

Martha Foscarinis, director of the National Law Center for Homelessness and Poverty, uses her platform to call for empathy, saying “It’s really important for libraries to preserve one of the few remaining public sanctuaries [for the homeless] and […] to develop programs to help them” (Samuels). Many times, homeless individuals seek out the resources available at the library with the goal of improving their situation. This is often because libraries are seen as sanctuaries with equal access to social and natural support systems as well as a safe place to gather answers and information as they work towards self-growth (Aykanian). The free WiFi and computer access that libraries offer are major assets when it comes to creating resumes and seeking employment opportunities, and that’s just the beginning of what libraries can offer.

Reporter Elizabeth Segal also highlighted ways that library programming proactively supports the homeless community in a 2018 article titled “A Haven for the Homeless.” These services include hosting resource fairs that direct these individuals towards city and county support services, assisting in acquiring important documents and identifications, locating medical or veteran’s affairs facilities, helping with filling out paperwork, and pointing them in the direction of mental health care when necessary (Segal). Another step that can be taken is the incorporation of social workers into the library staff. For example, the Santa Monica Public Library in California assists many unhoused patrons and has seen firsthand the benefits of having the support of social workers in their ranks. They are key to training and informing staff on how to aid the unhoused appropriately and effectively in addition to helping with assessments and intervention when needed (Aykanian).

There are many options and avenues libraries can take to aid those who need a helping hand, but what’s most important is to lead with kindness and compassion. Although controversy exists around allowing the homeless community into public libraries for fear of disruption, shunning them only contributes to the cycle of their experiences. Unfair perceptions should not dictate their right to entire community spaces that are meant to be for all. Empathy goes a long way, especially in the lives of those experiencing crises, so we should all aim to be as understanding as we can be.

Check out these videos for some more insight into the ways libraries are helping to make a big difference in the lives of the unhoused.

DISCOVER: DC Public Library's Peer Navigator Program

Prime Focus: US Libraries on the Frontlines of Homelessness

References:

ABC News. “Prime Focus: US Libraries on the Frontlines of Homelessness.” YouTube, 5 May 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm2AY-HtALo.

Aykanian, Amanda, et al. “Library-Based Field Placements: Meeting the Diverse Needs of Patrons, Including Those Experiencing Homelessness.” Journal of Social Work Education, vol. 56, no. 1, Jan. 2020, pp. S72–80. EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.ezproxy.palomar.edu/10.1080/10437797.2020.1723757.

Collamer, Matt. “Man Holding Card With Seeking Human Kindness Text.” Unsplash, 11 Feb. 2018, unsplash.com/@breakyourboundaries4.

DC Public Library. “DISCOVER: DC Public Library’s Peer Navigator Program.” YouTube, 16 Sept. 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpGdglY3dDA.

Samuels, Robert. "Advocates for libraries and affordable housing talk about ways to serve homeless (Posted 2014-06-27 02:26:24): Across the nation, education and employment programs at libraries have helped homeless patrons." The Washington Post (Online)WP Company LLC d/b/a The Washington Post, 2014. ProQuest, https://login.ezproxy.palomar.edu/login?auth=shibboleth&url=https://www.proquest.com/blogs-podcasts-websites/advocates-libraries-affordable-housing-talk-about/docview/1540649257/se-2.

Segal, Elizabeth. “A Haven for the Homeless.” U.S. News - The Report, May 2018, pp. C10–13. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ulh&AN=129580573&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

Getting Connected: Libraries and Social Networking

Getting Connected: Libraries and Social Networking 

By Melissa Arreola

Image by OrangeCrush

Let’s face it – like it or not, social media isn’t going anywhere any time soon. And because most individuals today are equipped with smartphones and tablets with the world of information at our fingertips, the best bet is to get on board and take advantage of what it can offer.

The Milwaukee Public Library (MPL) is a great example of how making the most of a social network presence can expand a library’s reach within its community and far beyond. The staff at the MPL had the bright idea to participate in social media trends – using memes and pop culture parodies to engage with their followers on the library’s social media page. By capitalizing on these trends and creating fun, engaging content, the library has amassed over one hundred thousand followers on TikTok alone and has received millions of views and likes on their videos, with followers all the way in Great Britain saying they want to travel to America just to visit the library in person (Alcántra)! Their marketing also showed positive results regarding their services. After using their social networks to promote the streaming service Kanopy, the service saw its best two months of usage along with an increase in visitors and library card signups (Alcántra). Eileen Force Cahill, director of community relations and engagement at MPL, shares her thoughts on the library’s success on social media, saying “A lot of times people think of the library as a dusty place filled with books where a woman in a bun and glasses will shush you if you talk to loud. We take very seriously the opportunity to improve people’s perceptions of the library as a modern place” (Alcántra). You can click here to be taken to the MPL's TikTok account and see the kinds of content that's attracting viewers!

These methods also show great results in academic libraries as well, with Montana State University reporting that their library saw their student user community grow by 366% following the application of their social media program, along with the rate of community interaction growing by 275% (Young).

Using social networking also provides a great avenue for teaching. As leaders in information literacy, library staff can expand on these concepts and teach younger patrons how to use social media in a safe and responsible manner. The San Diego Public Library (SDPL) saw an opportunity to forge relationships with young adult patrons while also enhancing critical skill development through the launch of their digital media workforce program (Rich). In this program, youth join in 6-week training programs held at the library and grow their skills in areas such as filmmaking, marketing, and social media strategy (Rich). The best part is that once participants complete the training, they automatically earn an internship at the library and use their new expertise to create content that tells the story of the SDPL and helps grow their online audience (Rich).  

We live in an age where social media is a part of our everyday lives. These social networks provide instant connections and can be extremely beneficial for libraries that are willing to take advantage of the outreach possibilities. Designing an effective social media strategy to incorporate into your library’s marketing scheme is a practical and efficient way to promote library services, interact with patrons on a personal and humanized level, gather patron feedback, and grow your library’s community footprint.

Above is one of MPL's most popular TikTok videos, with 2.4 million views to date

References:

Alcántara, Ann-Marie. "This Local Library Is an Overnight Social-Media Sensation; The Milwaukee Public Library has garnered millions of TikTok and Instagram views; will online fame draw people to its branches?" Wall Street Journal (Online), Dec 23, 2022. ProQuest, https://login.ezproxy.palomar.edu/login?auth=shibboleth&url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/this-local-library-is-overnight-social-media/docview/2757064641/se-2?accountid=35685.

Milwaukee Public Library. “Sassy Manga Grandma.” YouTube, 18 Mar. 2024, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lyp-ZMBsWRI.

OrangeCrush. “The Complete Guide to Social Media Design.” 99designs, 29 Oct. 2021, 99designs.com/blog/marketing-advertising/social-media-design.

Rich, Hallie. “Hungry for Connection.” Library Journal, vol. 149, no. 2, Feb. 2024, pp. 12–15. EBSCOhost, 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

Young, Scott W. H., and Doralyn Rossmann. "Building Library Community Through Social Media." Information Technology and Libraries (Online), vol. 34, no. 1, 2015, pp. 20-37. ProQuest, https://login.ezproxy.palomar.edu/login?auth=shibboleth&url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/building-library-community-through-social-media/docview/1673955637/se-2.