Facebook
Facebook has become a “staple” in the land of social media.
Many hours are spent browsing Facebook and getting caught up on our friends’
lives, reading about what’s happening around the world, and even spending time shopping.
Facebook is a method of communication that is easily accessible for many people
and it is a great way to libraries to communicate what is happening within the
library and to communicate what events students and parents can look forward to. It is also a
great way for librarians to advocate for their libraries.
What I have found through my exploration of school libraries on Facebook is that there are many great things that are happening in libraries! Libraries are using Facebook as a forum for communication and to showcase all of the wonderful things that are taking place with students and books! One of the pages that I visited was Bette Perot Elementary School Library (https://www.facebook.com/BettePerotElementarySchoolLibrary). On their Facebook page, they have posted pictures of things that are happening in the library, links to newsletters, new books, pictures of students reading, etc. They are using it as a means to communicate to students, parents and community, and show them what is happening in the library.
One page that I have followed for awhile is Library Learners (https://www.facebook.com/LibraryLearners/). This page is hosted by a San Antonio librarian, but it is a place where librarians can come together, ask questions, share information, etc. I have used this Facebook page as a resource when I am searching for new library programming ideas. It is a forum where all ideas are welcomed and supported.
One advantage to using Facebook is that it is a place where you can advertise upcoming events such as book fairs, family literacy nights, school events, etc. As mentioned above, it is a fast and easy means to communicate and advocate for your library.
What I have found through my exploration of school libraries on Facebook is that there are many great things that are happening in libraries! Libraries are using Facebook as a forum for communication and to showcase all of the wonderful things that are taking place with students and books! One of the pages that I visited was Bette Perot Elementary School Library (https://www.facebook.com/BettePerotElementarySchoolLibrary). On their Facebook page, they have posted pictures of things that are happening in the library, links to newsletters, new books, pictures of students reading, etc. They are using it as a means to communicate to students, parents and community, and show them what is happening in the library.
One page that I have followed for awhile is Library Learners (https://www.facebook.com/LibraryLearners/). This page is hosted by a San Antonio librarian, but it is a place where librarians can come together, ask questions, share information, etc. I have used this Facebook page as a resource when I am searching for new library programming ideas. It is a forum where all ideas are welcomed and supported.
One advantage to using Facebook is that it is a place where you can advertise upcoming events such as book fairs, family literacy nights, school events, etc. As mentioned above, it is a fast and easy means to communicate and advocate for your library.
One disadvantage to using Facebook is that there may be some
people in your school and/or community that do not have Facebook and do not
have a means to access Facebook. Another disadvantage, which needs to be considered in all aspects of communication, is the FERPA guidelines, which protects the privacy of students. Sometimes, people may be eager to post what is happening in the library, but we must be aware and utilize ways to protect student privacy. This can be done through the use of photo "stickers" or photo blurring, but it can also be a bit time-consuming. For more information about FERPA, visit https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html.
With the evolution of new "bigger and better" technologies, Facebook's popularity may be dwindling. While parents may still access Facebook regularly, the younger generation is looking for new ways to communicate with their peers, and forums like Facebook are used less and less when compared with other methods of communication like Snapchat and Instagram. However, as an elementary school librarian, I still believe that it is a good way to communicate with parents and update them about things that are happening. I have just started my own library Facebook page, located at fb.me/JRESLibrary.
Twitter
With the evolution of new "bigger and better" technologies, Facebook's popularity may be dwindling. While parents may still access Facebook regularly, the younger generation is looking for new ways to communicate with their peers, and forums like Facebook are used less and less when compared with other methods of communication like Snapchat and Instagram. However, as an elementary school librarian, I still believe that it is a good way to communicate with parents and update them about things that are happening. I have just started my own library Facebook page, located at fb.me/JRESLibrary.
Twitter is another method of communication that libraries
are beginning to use. These “micro-blogs” allow users to share small bits of
information, along with a text to discuss things that are happening, upcoming
events, etc. I use Twitter to let others know what is happening in my library,
but I would like to use it more than I do. I think it is a wonderful way to
showcase the learning that is happening on your campus. My twitter handle is @JRES_Librarian.
I love to use Twitter as a resource to keep up on what is happening in the world of
libraries. I follow authors, book reviews, other libraries, librarians, etc.
Many times, leaders in educational technology will post new strategies/tools that teachers/librarians can use to integrate technology into classroom instruction. For example, in this tweet by Kathy Schrock, she includes a link to new learning tools that can be used in the classroom, such as Translate, that are now a part of Microsoft’s products:
Or this tweet, about a new hyperdocs unit:
Another "Tweeter" I like to follow is John Schu (@MrSchuReads) to see all of the new books that he posts about! This gives me ideas on new, quality children's literature that I can read to my students. Many of his favorite children's books are displayed in images that he tweets. For example:
Twitter is a very quick way to communicate. As Cassell & Hiremath state, "tweeting has been recognized as an efficient way to provide quick updates, bulleted information, enhance publicity or reinforce library messages" (Cassell & Hiremath, 2013, p 437). The only disadvantage of Twitter is that the tweet can only be 140 characters, which can sometimes pose a challenge, especially if you are tagging others and/or adding hashtags.
Many times, leaders in educational technology will post new strategies/tools that teachers/librarians can use to integrate technology into classroom instruction. For example, in this tweet by Kathy Schrock, she includes a link to new learning tools that can be used in the classroom, such as Translate, that are now a part of Microsoft’s products:
Gwyneth Jones (@GwynethJones) is a future ready library and innovator. Many of her posts include new ways to use technology, like this tweet with a link to a Screencastify video:Ten great new features updated in @MicrosoftEDU Learning Tools! One that I love...Immersive Reader can now translate both a single word and entire pages in real-time! https://t.co/UptGMrnZNE— Kathy Schrock (@kathyschrock) January 9, 2019
Interesting! https://t.co/vvaEjpwwrP— Gwyneth Jones (@GwynethJones) January 21, 2019
Or this tweet, about a new hyperdocs unit:
A Hyperdoc Unit That Will Blow Your Mind! by the ever amazing & talented, Kasey Bell! @ShakeUpLearning https://t.co/hGlHscfxXz pic.twitter.com/JZruhSvshZ— Gwyneth Jones (@GwynethJones) January 20, 2019
Another "Tweeter" I like to follow is John Schu (@MrSchuReads) to see all of the new books that he posts about! This gives me ideas on new, quality children's literature that I can read to my students. Many of his favorite children's books are displayed in images that he tweets. For example:
"Picture books are the most accessible and versatile works of art in the world." - @bottomshelfbks https://t.co/Ycfe2fbB4j pic.twitter.com/uLWeDpEnix— John Schu (@MrSchuReads) January 23, 2019
Twitter is a very quick way to communicate. As Cassell & Hiremath state, "tweeting has been recognized as an efficient way to provide quick updates, bulleted information, enhance publicity or reinforce library messages" (Cassell & Hiremath, 2013, p 437). The only disadvantage of Twitter is that the tweet can only be 140 characters, which can sometimes pose a challenge, especially if you are tagging others and/or adding hashtags.
Instagram
Instagram is a great way to advertise the wonderful things that are happening in your classroom or library. It is also a great way to connect with other educators. Instagram has recently become my "go-to" for new ideas for lessons, bulletin boards, new books, etc. For example, I love to see what other librarians are reading in their libraries! When using Instagram, you can follow individuals, or you can follow different hashtags. For example, some of the hashtags I follow are #librariansofinstagram, #librarydisplays and #elementarylibrarian. By following these hashtags, I am able to connect with other librarians who have similar interests. Once you have begun to "follow" different people/hashtags, Instagram will also recommend other individuals/hashtags, based on your preferences. It is a quick and easy way to share things that are happening and/or things you would like to showcase that you are doing in your library or classroom.
One disadvantage of using Instagram is that there is not a way to add links to the posts to direct followers to content. Many users of Instagram have found a way around this by using applications such as Link In Profile (https://linkinprofile.com/) or Linktree (https://linktr.ee/) to provide external links to posts and content.
Even though there are some disadvantages, I really enjoy using Instagram for ideas and to see what others are doing in their libraries. You can follow some of my Instagram posts at https://www.instagram.com/melynn7079/.
Instagram is a great way to advertise the wonderful things that are happening in your classroom or library. It is also a great way to connect with other educators. Instagram has recently become my "go-to" for new ideas for lessons, bulletin boards, new books, etc. For example, I love to see what other librarians are reading in their libraries! When using Instagram, you can follow individuals, or you can follow different hashtags. For example, some of the hashtags I follow are #librariansofinstagram, #librarydisplays and #elementarylibrarian. By following these hashtags, I am able to connect with other librarians who have similar interests. Once you have begun to "follow" different people/hashtags, Instagram will also recommend other individuals/hashtags, based on your preferences. It is a quick and easy way to share things that are happening and/or things you would like to showcase that you are doing in your library or classroom.
One disadvantage of using Instagram is that there is not a way to add links to the posts to direct followers to content. Many users of Instagram have found a way around this by using applications such as Link In Profile (https://linkinprofile.com/) or Linktree (https://linktr.ee/) to provide external links to posts and content.
Even though there are some disadvantages, I really enjoy using Instagram for ideas and to see what others are doing in their libraries. You can follow some of my Instagram posts at https://www.instagram.com/melynn7079/.
Sources
Cassell, K.A. & Hiremath, U. (2013). Reference and Information Services: An Introduction (3rd ed.). Chicago, IL: Neal-Schuman.
Tholfsen, M. (2019, January 9). 10 Learning Tools updates
for the new year, including Translate and inclusive math improvements.
Retrieved from https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Education-Blog/10-Learning-Tools-updates-for-the-new-year-including-Translate/ba-p/308190
U.S. Department of Education. (2018, March 01). Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Retrieved from
https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html
