Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

These days it is hard to find a person who does not have a social media account. Most people have multiple accounts throughout different digital platforms. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can be a good way for librarians and other educators to share information with each other and students and parents. 

Facebook

Most of the libraries in my district have a Facebook page devoted specifically to the library. If not, they use the school’s main Facebook page to promote things that are happening in the library. They might share STEAM or Robotics lessons, book fair dates, or new materials that are available to students. I noticed that most of the school library Facebook pages I viewed did not have many likes or comments. While it is beneficial to share information through social media, I do not think that people take the time to view what is posted. I also feel like the main disadvantage of Facebook is that it is the platform where people choose to be the most negative. It seems to be the social media platform where people feed off each other’s negativity and negatively comment the most. I have seen it happen many times in my own district. One person complains about something, and it opens the gate for others to follow suit. That being said, I do think the popularity of Facebook has decreased in the last several years, and I believe Facebook appeals to an older crowd. If anyone is viewing the information shared on Facebook pages, I think it is parents and grandparents who want to stay informed about things that are going on at school or in the library. Most students who are of age to have their own social media accounts are not viewing library posts through Facebook. Older students will be quick to let you know that is not their social media platform of choice.

Below are some Facebook posts from libraries in my district:

Ozobot Lesson with third-grade students

Blind Date with a Book Middle School Book Club Project

Twitter

I believe that Twitter is the most professional when it comes to social media platforms. There are a ton of exceptional educators on Twitter who share their knowledge and resources. I took some time to explore some Twitter accounts of some of the biggest names in educational technology. I really enjoyed exploring John Schu's Twitter account because he features many picture books and early chapter books and novels. He tweets "Book Birthdays" to feature books his followers may not have heard about before, and he also tweets about authors and illustrators in birthday posts. 

Instagram

The gram is where it's at for me! It is by far my favorite social media platform. I follow so many teachers and librarians on Instagram! Stories are a very popular feature of Instagram. Stories only stay up for 24 hours and include images or videos. Stories have features that help you elicit an action or verbal reaction out of them. These features include quiz questions, polls, open-ended questions, and links (if you have over 10,000 followers). If you want your story to be visible longer than the 24-hour time period, which many educators and influencers do, you can save them to your highlights. Instagram and Twitter both use hashtags that allow users to search for and follow content that appeals to them. Adding hashtags to your post means that others can find it even if they are not following your account. Some of the blog accounts I shared in my last post are also my favorite Instagram accounts to follow! Check out @teachingwithtiff, @thebookwrangler, and @hellojenjones...you won't be disappointed!

I don't have an Instagram account specifically for my library, but I occasionally post library content on my personal Instagram account. One of my goals this year was to start improving and updating the non-fiction section of the library. My students LOVE non-fiction books, so this was a story I created on my personal account.

I believe that social media is a great way to share what is happening in your library, especially during a pandemic when parents and visitors may not be allowed on campus. It is important to decide what platform is most utilized by your intended audience and post away! 

Feed Readers and Library Blogs

RSS or Feed Readers are completely new to me. I was surprised to find out how long they have actually been around because I had never heard of them before now. If it is new to you too, let me try to give you a quick summary. Let’s say you check multiple blogs daily, and to do so, you visit each site one by one looking for new content. That could be time-consuming, right? Well, with RSS feeds, all your blogs and content you subscribe can all be in the same place. You can make that place your homepage, desktop icon, or an app on your phone.

 

Inoreader

After reading this article and researching a few other Feed Readers, I found Inoreader to be the one that I liked the most. Right away, I liked how Inoreader provides a How-To Guide that is very helpful for beginners. Paid premium plans are available, but you can get plenty of content without having to upgrade. You can follow up to 150 feeds without paying anything! Inoreader doesn't have limited-time archives, so even content you have already read is permanently stored and can be searched for within your subscriptions. You can also keep up with your content on the go through Inoreader's mobile apps for iOS and Android. 

Blogs

After diving into Inoreader, I've decided to share some blogs that have been helpful to me since I have moved into the Media Specialist position at my school. These blogs are mostly geared towards elementary school librarians and teachers. 

1. Staying Cool in the Library Kathy Cool is a K-5 school librarian in Virginia. She created a blog to help school librarians learn and grow together. She shares resources for many of the units and activities she does in her own library, and she also has a Teachers Pay Teacher store. 

2. Romona Recommends  Courtney Hinshaw is a fifth-grade teacher from Southern California who shares tons of reading lists for all different occasions throughout the school year and discusses using picture books for older elementary students. 

3.The Book Wrangler Michael Rawls is amazing! I first found and followed him on Instagram. He is a K-5 school librarian and shares tons of book lists and resources. I absolutely love following him, and I get a lot of great ideas for my own library.    

4. Teaching with Tiff Tiffany Williams is a K-2 Library Media Specialist in Arkansas. Her blog is full of book displays, book recommendations, library organizational tips, and how she promotes her love of literacy and reading to students and her colleagues. 

5. The Library Voice Shannon McClintock Miller is the Innovation Director of Instructional Technology and Library Media at Van Meter Community School in Van Meter, Iowa. She has authored books about library skills and makerspaces. Her blog is full of ideas and her experiences as a librarian. Funny side note: The other librarians in my district are not fans of hers. I didn't really understand why until I heard her speak (virtually) at TCEA this past year. She likes to "toot her own horn" a lot, BUT I still think her blog can be helpful to librarians, especially, if you are just starting out.

A school librarian’s time is valuable, and it can be difficult to stay ahead of technology treads and even the latest reads your students might enjoy. Following blogs and using Feed Readers can help make your life easier and keep you in the know!

Check out more library-related content on my Tumblr!