[Web4lib] 100 Ways to Use Twitter In Your Library

[McKiernan, Gerard [LIB]]

Colleagues/

 

For Libraries But Not Just Libraries ... Universities / Museums / Etc.

 

/Gerry 

Twitter is a free social networking and communication tool that lets you
send short messages of up to 140 characters to your group of friends via
the Twitter website, SMS, other Twitter clients, email, or IM. An
increasing number of libraries and librarians are now using Twitter to
engage readers, spread information, and banish the conception of dark,
silent buildings staffed by stuffy introverts. So if you want to see how
Twitter can be a dynamic way to connect with patrons, students and other
library professionals, then the list below should definitely get you
started. Here are 100 tips that can help you effectively use Twitter in
your libraries.

 

 Reference

 

With many online tools, the reference sections of many libraries have
been overlooked. These tips can help make connections with patrons which
can lead to a more visited reference section.

 

1. Read the latest news: Many major news sites, like MSNBC have Twitter
feeds. This makes it easy to quickly check up on news and find the
latest information.

 

2. Identify experts in a specific area: Find out who's talking about
subjects that interest you or your patrons. You can't get the same
affect by using traditional email and resources. 

 

3. Find out what other schools and libraries are doing around the world:
Get ideas on how other libraries all over the globe are using Twitter
effectively in their library

[more]

 

> Discussion

 

Use these tips to create communication as well as a feeling of community
at your library.

 

10. Try having a question and answer session: If you need information of
any kind a quick question to followers will get you and answer in
minutes. It is also an easy way to provide assistance to patrons.

 

11. Get feedback on potential policy changes: Thinking about extending
library hours? Get some opinions from some of your patrons. This is
great for college library students too.

 

12. Don't let the account go silent for extended periods: This will show
that you have mutual interest in providing a connection for many of your
followers.

 

[more]

 

> Announcements & Updates

 

Highlight new materials, group meetings, current news, and more with
some of these suggestions.

 

19. Get information on conferences: Some conferences of interest to
librarians have Twitter feeds that will allow you to keep up with
registration deadlines, speakers and accommodations without having to
visit the site itself.

 

20. Keep up to date with internal developments: Stay on top of
department meetings and events. You will always know what's going on.

 

21. Update patrons on new materials: Have you received some great new
resources? Let those in your area know about them through a Twitter
feed.

 

[more]

 

> Helpful Feeds

 

Here are some interesting feeds that can help you find out how other
libraries might be using Twitter.

 

29. @librarycongress: The Library of Congress is one of the largest
libraries in the world, keep up with everything from their special
collections to latest events.

 

30. @yalsa: The Young Adult Library Services Association keeps this feel
to help keep you informed about issues pertaining to young adult reading
and literature.

 

31. @glambert: Greg Lambert is a law librarian in Houston. This law
librarian discusses knowledge management, social media, and more.

 

[more]

 

> Colleagues, Students, and Friends

 

Stay connected with other librarian, friends, and students with the tips
below. 

 

49. Learn more about colleagues: See if fellow colleagues have a Twitter
feed and read more about their life. Who knows, maybe you have more in
common than you think.

 

50. Link to interesting news stories: Get some inspirational ideas from
reading interesting stories about literacy and other libraries. 

 

51. Promote the library: Using Twitter can help promote your library and
the programs offered. Tweet your friends and family about what's
happening.

 

[more] 

 

> Library Twitter Tools that Could be Useful

 

Here are some tools that can be useful if you are going to try some of
the above tips. 

 

55. TweetDeck: This application will let you create groups of Tweets to
better manage your information systems.

 

56. Twrivia: Provide a new trivia question each day for your patrons
with this tool. 

 

57. GroupTweet: Create groups to facilitate Tweeting. This is a great
tool for specialty groups such as young adults, book clubs, or library
employees.[more]

 

> Vendors Using Twitter

 

More and more library vendors are joining Twitter. Many librarians are
now able to interact with their vendors in a different way. Whether for
asking a question regarding an order or finding out about other services
offered you weren't even aware of. Here is a list of some of the major
vendors we have found that have hopped on board the Twitter wagon. 

 

76. Academic Earth: A collaboration of video lectures from the world's
top scholars. They also provide full video courses from leading
universities.

 

77. Duke Press: The Press publishes primarily in the humanities and
social sciences and issues a few publications for professionals such as
doctors and lawyers. 

 

78. Credo Reference: A leading provider of reference services for
libraries and information centers.

 

[more]

 

Libraries have only begun to find the true potential in Twittering. We
hope that by using some of these tips, librarians and libraries
everywhere will find creative ways to broaden the serviceability for
themselves and their patrons.

 

Link to Full 100 Available At 

 

!!! Thanks To Adrienne Carlson / Accelerated Bachelor Degree / For The
Headsup !!!

 

Links Also Available To Related Posting

 

[ http://tinyurl.com/m3t97p  ]

 

Libraries Using Twitter: Academic / Research / Special Libraries 

 

Twitter for Libraries (and Librarians) / Sarah Milstein 

 

Twittering Libraries Wiki 

 

Happy Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday 

 

>>Follow Me On Twitter GMcKBlogs<< 

 

http://twitter.com/GMcKBlogs 

 

/Gerry 

 

Gerry McKiernan

Associate Professor

Science and Technology Librarian

Iowa State University Library

Ames IA 50011

 

 gerrymck at iastate.edu

 

There Are No Answers, Only Solutions / Olde Irish Saying

 

The Future Is Already Here, It's Just Not Evenly Distributed

Attributed To William Gibson, SciFi Author / Coined 'Cyberspace