Social Networking and Libraries
By Melanie Gomez
Let's be honest, either you (the person reading this) or someone you know has a social media platform. 73% of the U.S. population has a social media/social networking platform. That’s over 253 million people (Singh 2025)! Before we get ahead of ourselves let’s break it down, what is social networking? Social networking refers to using online platforms (social media) to build and maintain relationships with individuals, groups, or organizations. Social media/online platforms are ways people can connect with friends, family, or colleagues by sharing information, photos, videos, and participating in online communities. These activities can be social, business-related, or even a combination of both.
You may wonder, why is social networking important to libraries? Well, libraries can use social media for the benefit of the library itself and their patrons. Through social networking libraries can promote events and programs, have a greater outreach, and increase community engagement. Libraries can use many different social networking platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to connect with patrons, promote library resources, and build relationships within the community. Personally, I love using Instagram and Pinterest to find inspiration and ideas to:
Create fun & engaging library activities
Choose books to use in my read out loud's.
Make my library more welcoming
See what books are trending
And so much more!
It’s important to realize as times get harder (like if another pandemic occurs) libraries will need to keep community engagement alive for the benefit of all. What better way to reach the majority of the population than social networking platforms/social media (Mckenna 14).
Here are some links to tips & tricks on social networking that benefit libraries and librarians!
*Watch This*
Watch these videos that discuss social media marketing, librarians as Social Media Curators, and Integrating Social Media in Libraries
5 Social Media Marketing Ideas For #Libraries and Librarians That Cost Nothing
Librarians as Social Media Curators
Integrating Social Media in Libraries
Work Cited
Admin. “Resources for Librarians about Online Social Networking.” Young Adult
Library Services Association (YALSA), 29 Sept. 2006, www.ala.org/yalsa/guidelines/socialnetworking. Accessed 8 May 2025.
IDSkids. “4 Ways Social Media Can Help Promote Your Library | IDS Blog.” IDS Kids,
17 Jan. 2024, idskids.com/4-ways-social-media-can-help-promote-your-library/. Accessed 8 May 2025.
Mckenna, Brian. “U.K. University Libraries and Social Media.” Information
Today, vol. 28, no. 2, Feb. 2011, pp. 14–15. EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=45b87991-c95e-32c0-83ac-e796c88cc60a. Accessed 8 May 2025.
Singh, Shubham. “Social Media Users — How Many People Use Social Media in 2025.” DemandSage, 15 April 2025, https://www.demandsage.com/social-media-users/. Accessed 8 May 2025.
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