This document discusses social media and its use for academic libraries. It begins by defining social media and providing examples of popular platforms. The document then discusses why libraries use social media, including to communicate information, share events/photos/videos, create dialogue, and get feedback. It provides tips for an effective social media policy, including defining the audience, platforms, content strategy, and calendar. The document concludes with best practices for keeping library social media lively, such as writing compelling headlines and considering the reader.

1. Social Media
for
Academic Libraries
National Library Week 2021
Matma Gandhi University Library
Kottayam
S. L. FAISAL
www.slfaisal.com

2. Agenda
KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED
IN THIS PRESENTATION
Social Media (SM)
Why do Libraries use SM?
Social Media Policy
Best Practices
How to keep Library SM live?

3. What is Social Media?
Websites and applications that enable users to create
and share content or to participate in social networking.
noun. [uncountable, plural] websites and software
programs used for social networking.
https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com

11. How Social Media helps ?
C O M M U N I
C A T E
Information on
Resources,
Services,
Programmes
S H A R E
Events, Photos,
Videos, Stories.
Promotion.
C R E A T E A
D I A L O G U E
Between users
and Library/
librarians
E N G A G E
Virtual spaces
with engaging
activities
F E E D B A C K
Realtime
Feedback on
Library
resources and
services
1 2 3 4 5

12. Why do Libraries use Social Media?
“It’s not about promoting the library, this is about building brand loyalty. It’s not about
posting library news for students, but about building an ambassadors program, a network
of friends and allies. The goal is a transition of patrons from being library users to
library advocates.”
Mathews, B. (2011, July 6). Why does my library use social media? The Ubiquitous Librarian. Retrieved from
http://chronicle.com/blognetwork/theubiquitouslibrarian/2011/07/06/why-does-my-library-use-social-media/

13. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yalelibrary
Twitter: https://twitter.com/columbialib
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/HCLibraries/videos
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uclalibrary/
Check-out some examples

14. Social Media Policy
D E F I N E Y O U R T A R G E T A U D I A N C E
• Who is your target audience?
• Why do you want to reach them/ what are their
challenges and how can you help?
• What social platforms are they using (personally
and for work).
• What content are they posting and engaging with?

15. Social Media Policy
T H I N K A B O U T
Platform
Publication Periodicity
Define how you want to library to sound on SM?

16. Social Media Policy
C O N T E N T S
Always relevant
Dynamic (Instant)
What you have now?
Images, blogs, articles, infographics, videos, how-to
guides and other helpful resources.
CATEGORIZE
Eg: Resources
Eg: Images, Greetings, Messages
Mix contents.

17. Social Media Policy
L E A R N F R O M O T H E R S
Contents
Hashtags
Strategies
Visit other library's Social Media pages

18. Social Media Policy
S O C I A L M E D I A C O N T E N T C A L E N D A R
How to distribute your content throughout the
year.
Important Events, Days, Programmes.
Monitor what works/what not works.
A social media calendar is an overview of your
upcoming social media posts.
Organize content.

19. How to keep
Library SM live?
Keep the Goal of Your Post Top of Mind – WHY are you posting this??
Write Compelling Headlines – precise and/or funny
Lead with the Good Stuff – give a solid overview in first phrase
Make Every Word Count – do NOT abbreviate
Keep it simple – less is more, link to the full story
Provide context – use keywords and hashtags
Graphics expand the story – visually describe your headline, scan an image or take a
picture if necessary
People make things interesting – use a conversational tone
Consider the reader – respect your audience and think twice before you post
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Ann Handley, Mashable,

20. Reference
Best Practices inSocialMedia for Academic Libraries:
https://wiki.commons.gc.cuny.edu/best_practices_in_social_media_for_academic_librar
ies/
Academic Library Social Media Guide :
https://www.wiley.com/network/librarians/library-impact/library-social-media-guide

21. Content.
Relevance.
Updates.

22. Do you have
any questions?
Send it to us! We hope you learned
something new.