Social media is now a preferred method of communication for many users. Libraries can benefit from having a social media presence by connecting with both current and potential users. To be effective, a library's social media presence requires significant ongoing effort to attract and maintain users' interest through interactive and engaging posts. It is important for libraries to understand the purpose and benefits of social media usage, while also being aware of the risks to their reputation and the constant attention needed.

1. Social Media Usage in
Libraries
What, Why and How

2. Social media is the preferred choice of current generation. Just like a coin has two sides,
social media also have both positive and negative sides. We can say that Social Media is a
necessary evil in the current times.

3. We all understand WHAT is social media? Basically, social media are interactive platforms. You remain
connected with your contacts and communities and keep posting or getting posts regularly. Any post on
social media may spread like a huge fire. Other users can respond to your posts, share your contents
further and a chain reaction can be created. I am sure you must have read how over 10 crore rupees
were collected for a little girl who required a very costly injection to save her life using social media. That
is the power of the social media. Similarly, there are many examples of negative impacts too.

4. Now the second Question arises WHY do the libraries even need their presence on the social media? If we just
have to concentrate on our users, then most of us already have dynamic library websites that provide all
information about the library, its resources, usage guides, services etc.. You can ask questions to the librarian
directly. Moreover, we remain in touch with our users over phone or through emails and most of them visit
libraries frequently. Then, what do we actually want to achieve by being on the social media? Do we really
think that masses are awaiting your library social media page? And, please do not mind, but the honest
answer would be a big “NO”.
In my opinion, we are basically looking for broader connectivity. As most of the times current generations
users are there on social media so it is easier to catch their attention there. They would be able to spread
information about your work to a much larger segment and to the non-users and much faster if they like what
you are posting. So, basically you are trying to bring attention of potential users towards your library through
social media using your active users.

5. Now come the final question, HOW can we achieve that?
Remember social media is not a one-way traffic. It is highly interactive platform. You have to put lot of
efforts so as to attract potential users towards your social media postings and more importantly to keep
them hooked to your social media page. You have to a have a YUM factor at your social media page. And
mind it, it is highly time-consuming work that requires your constant attention.
We also need to understand that any official social media presence is very much different from a personal
social media account. You need to have organization’s consent as there is always a possibility that
someone can put negative comments or negative feedback about your library or about your organization
and that may be shared again and again tarnishing the organization image. This can put you or your
organization in trouble. I do have real example how a whole institution got ruined and closed down due to
negative publicity against it on social media. So, you have to remember your organization’s interest before
posting anything on social media.

6. Also, you can’t work in silos for an effective social media presence. You need to involve others
stakeholders. You will need to tag them to attract more traffic and also ask them to tag your library on
their pages. That is how more and more people would be able to see your pages.
Through your active users, you will primarily be targeting the segments which are not your users. They
can be parents, potential students, recruiters, faculty of other institutions or anybody else that has
some interest in activities that you are doing.
You have to showcase your organization in such a positive way that more and more people are curious
to know about that. You also need to remember that you can’t post fake information on your social
media page. Or, you may be easily screwed up by someone and that will not stop then.
Also remember, if you are not continuously updating and posting regularly, you are very much likely to
be forgotten soon. You have to put contents in highly appealing ways that can compel others to view
your page. You need to know about the interests of current generation and keep posting randomly
about their interests. In between, you can post about your library

7. You will have to choose multiple social media platforms and develop and post contents as per nature of
particular platforms.
Hence, you need to understand first the purpose why do you want to put your library on social media?
What are tangible or intangible benefits and what are the efforts that you will have to put in in this
process. And finally, how you will be continuously making your presence felt?