You’re just embarrassing yourself: a letter to my library’s social media team
by Ashley
I’m not sure if I have mentioned this before, but I work for a library system in the lower mainland. I’ve been with this system for nine years now, and I have loved (almost) every day of it. Like many libraries, we’ve struggled to keep “relevant” and maintain some level of coolness. In order to do this, most libraries have upped their technological services, and many libraries have created a social media presence. A bunch of libraries (see NYPL and even VPL) have been doing a great job of this. They post cool stuff on Twitter, and even have Instagram accounts where they post things like book cover selfies that patrons send in. NYPL is even doing their own version of March Madness. Just yesterday I was forced to choose between Margaret Atwood and Lois Lowry!
Like I was saying: some libraries are doing a great job … my library, however, is not.
Our Twitter feed consists of a post-a-day or every two days at about 10:00 pm with the name of a book and a hashtag like #latenightreading or something. Whatever the hashtag is, I’m sure we’re the only people using it. Every once in a while, the library will tweet a link to its Instagram, where it posts an awful photo (plus a filter. Who uses filters these days anyway?) of six or so books on the floor of the back work room (or something) with the hashtag #newbooktuesday. Again, I’m sure we’re the only person using that hashtag.
Our YouTube account is equally as lame, and so is our Pinterest account.
Now, I think its great that libraries are using social media. I think it’s a great way to connect with our users outside of the walls of the library, and it’s a great way to deliver news of cool programs and neat things we’re doing, as well as to keep people thinking about and engaging with the library. But I really think that social media only works for libraries if they’re doing it well. In the case of the library I work at, I think that by having an awful social media presence, we’re doing the library more harm than good. Because it seems like we’re reaching out to say:
Hey! Remember us? The library? Yeah, we’re here and we’re on social media and we just wanted to remind you that we’re super lame.
Oh Ashley-
This post describes exactly my worries about implementing social media as a form of marketing for libraries.
I feel like bad social media is WAY worse than no social media.
Are you ever tempted to throw your hands up and tell them to stop? Or offer your now expert services on the subject? I’ve seen your instragram. It’s brilliant. Could you bring those skills to the library?
I liked the title of this post.
I agree with you, libraries need to know how to use social media properly in order to get people’s attention and have them follow the accounts. Like Paige mentioned, will you be offering suggestions in improving their social media presence? Maybe get some ideas from NYPL and other library accounts? A quick Google search on “getting creative with [insert social media here]” could also be another way to go.