Spreading the Word: Creative Ways of Social Networking in Libraries

 I remember when I took a linguistics class, the way that languages continue to survive is that they evolve. I believe with the advances in our technology, libraries are the exact same way. We’ve seen the way libraries have updated collections to include computers, CDs, DVDs, audiobooks, streaming services, and many more. However, libraries aren’t just evolving their collections, but the way they interact with their patrons as well! Social networking is crucial in maintaining the relationships between libraries and the communities that they serve. 

In Barbara Fiehn’s article “Social Networking Through Your Library Automation System: What Librarians and Vendors have to say”, they see social networking on a whole different perspective! When we think of social networking, most typically think of sites like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and other types of social media. In this article, they see opportunities for networking in library wish lists and through their databases. Through wish lists that provide access to all teachers, media specialists, and students in the same school district and these groups get to interact with one another. By having shared lists, they are able to see how schools are working through research assignments and what seems to be in high demand for their respective libraries. Media specialists, teachers, and students also get to have these interactions through reviews as well. I think with this type of social networking through databases and library software, it allows connections between educators and students that might not typically interact with one another.

Carolyn Bourke’s article “Public Libraries: Building Social Capital through Networking” also has a really important stance in her article. She champions libraries as “modern custodians of knowledge” and they need to be knowledgeable in how they represent the library and physical collections online. I’ve seen so many libraries on social media that have wonderfully creative ways of promoting events, new books, and other types of library information! What libraries have in their collection is also crucial to present when networking and connecting with their communities. The more that users see how expansive and inclusive library collections can be, the more inclined they are to come and see what their library has to offer! Social networking isn’t solely for furthering your own career, but it’s a tool in promoting what types of services there are to offer! Libraries are increasingly hopping onto this trend and there’s so many creative ways they promote their services. 

UCSD Geisel Library Event

Oceanside Public Library Event

Works Cited:

Bourke, Carolyn. “Public Libraries: Building Social Capital through Networking.” APLIS, vol. 18, no. 2, June 2005, pp. 71–75. EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=c27b09fa-3da6-3f45-8d68-21b35e62e7b0.

Fiehn, Barbara. “Social Networking Through Your Library Automation System: What Librarians and Vendors Have to Say.” Multimedia & Internet @ Schools, vol. 16, no. 5, Sept. 2009, pp. 28–31. EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=e3c2e8cd-6ffa-36b2-8d0b-50c2be5db6a2.