First, Facebook is not where we are going to reach students. Instead, videos on YouTube may be the preferred means.
However, most libraries and librarians still have a Facebook page for their libraries, particularly elementary schools. Why? Most parents, administrators, and other librarians still like using Facebook to find out the latest news in their libraries.
What are ways that libraries use Facebook?
- To share upcoming library events
- To share photos from library activities
- To share links to videos
- To promote book fairs
- To share books and book trailers
- To share photos of students in the library
When looking at Facebook posts for several libraries, many of the posts have "likes", but there are few comments. Most of the comments are from teachers or parents.
The advantages to using Facebook in the library is to keep parents, teachers, and administrators up to date on library events. It is also a great place to see great things happening in the library.
The disadvantage is that not many students are on Facebook to see the upcoming events. Also, most elementary age students do not have a Facebook account in order to find out about library news.
In conclusion, Facebook is a great way for libraries to connect to parents, teachers, and administration, but libraries may need other means to connect to students.
Twitter
Twitter is a great way to share educational ideas, news, and information. Many "tweets" include videos, links to articles, and retweets to the latest educational news.
EdTech leaders share the newest technology to use with students, ways to use technology, and links to products, videos, and resources to use in schools. They expose educators to articles about education as well. It is a great way to stay informed and try new things in the library or classroom.
Here's a tweet I found that would be great for educators and librarians to use in the next few days as school is ending, or even try when school resumes in August.
Twitter is a great way to share educational ideas, news, and information. Many "tweets" include videos, links to articles, and retweets to the latest educational news.
EdTech leaders share the newest technology to use with students, ways to use technology, and links to products, videos, and resources to use in schools. They expose educators to articles about education as well. It is a great way to stay informed and try new things in the library or classroom.
Here's a tweet I found that would be great for educators and librarians to use in the next few days as school is ending, or even try when school resumes in August.
755949608960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 20185 Construction Challenges for Kids https://t.co/JbSvo2rltS pic.twitter.com/A8oCfIRMPE— Jim Lerman (@jimlerman)
— Gwyneth Jones (@GwynethJones) May 28, 2018
I had many of the same thoughts when exploring libraries on Facebook. Oftentimes many appeared well thought out, visually appealing, and contained a wealth of information - but they had very few followers and minimal interaction. Librarians should definitely first consider their purpose and audience for social media when choosing which platform they'd like to use to communicate what is happening in the library. It really is mind blowing to think about just how much our world has changed as a result of the evolution of social media!
ReplyDeleteMy school uses Facebook daily to show parents the great things that are happening. I don't have my own Facebook page for the library, but I do have my own Twitter. Twitter is not as popular with our parent community, but it allows our library to interact with other students around the world.
ReplyDeleteLast year, our district made a huge push for all administrators, teachers and librarians to have their own twitter account. Each campus as well as each library has a Facebook page as well. Being older, I still struggle with posting on twitter or Facebook during an activity or event. We had Stuart Gibbs, author extraordinaire, visit our library and I felt guilty posting while he was speaking to our students. I'm not as proficient or fast as a lot of people, so it's not a quick tweet! I understand the benefits and use these two forms of social media, but realize I need to become more proficient as the benfits are great. You definitely want your parents, admin, and the community seeing the great things that are happening in your library
ReplyDeleteI too am not very proficient at twitter because I have been avoiding it since I know I already spend too much time with social media. Practice will make it better I am sure.
DeleteI agree that Facebook is not how we are going to reach students anymore. We have to be able to utilize a multitude of platforms. As librarians we have to be able to be the ultimate multitaskers. We have to be able to communicate things to parents and students that perhaps others simply don't have the time for. I have seen a huge push in many districts for teachers and other school entities to utilize twitter. It is a quick and easy way to communicate with both parents and students. I believe that this is where we need to go and I will be implementing this in the coming year from my classroom.
ReplyDeleteI agree Facebook is not the best social media platform to use if we want to connect with our students. I am still warming up to Twitter, but I agree it is an excellent tool to connect and share ideas. Your post was very informative. Great job!
ReplyDelete