5 Ways College Libraries Can Use Instagram

Connecting Instagram and College Libraries

Source: Wokandapix - Pixabay

In today's fast-paced world, we don't have the time to read long, text-heavy articles anymore. It's the era of infographics, images, videos, or anything that can be seen and/or read in under two minutes. This is why it's so vital and important to be utilizing the photography and short videography social media tool: Instagram.

One place that needs to adapt to the ever-changing digital world are college libraries. And college libraries have discovered the power of Instagram to show off that they are still here and always will be. 

Here are seven unique ways college libraries can use Instagram to help market themselves. 

1. The Staff 

It's #NationalBookLoversDay, and while National Library Workers Day falls in April, we HAVE to take this opportunity to celebrate the extensive work our @millsteinlib staff does to encourage a lifelong thirst for knowledge in our students! Here are just some of the friendly and welcoming faces you'll see as you walk into Millstein Library! Never be afraid to ask for help!! #H2PG #Librarians #CollegeLibrary #Pitt #Greensburg #Booklover #BookloversDay #H2P #PittIsIt #WestmorelandCounty #Pittsburgh #pgh #Pennsylvania

A photo posted by Pitt-Greensburg (@pittgreensburg) on Aug 9, 2016 at 7:13am PDT

 

People who work in college libraries can seem a little intimidating. A good way to lessen this is to show and/or feature staff members in their workplaces or in their favorite place in the library. Have them say something about why they love what they do or why they love libraries and use a hashtag like #MeetTheStaff or something unique to your library.

2. The Student Workers 

Congrats to our student Diksha for winning Servant Leadership Award! #weloveourstudents #purpleisgold

A photo posted by Rod Library (@rodlibrary) on Apr 13, 2016 at 9:17am PDT

Show off the student employees for their work for the library or their work in the classroom or even their work for their organizations. Or even just feature a student worker who has gone above and beyond in their position.

3. Instagram Challenge 

Create an Instagram Challenge to increase followers or a goal specific and time sensitive to your library and give a incentive like Commerce's Public Library staff jumping into the pool. When the goal or challenge is met, be sure to follow through on the incentive. Come up with a unique hashtag to go with it.

4. Book Face Fridays 

Our attempt at #bookfacefriday may make you want to pull a similar face but we're trying to be better, I promise! 😱 #LRC #learningresourcecentre #doncastercollege #UCLRC #library #librarylife #librariesofinstagram #collegelibrary #universitycentre #highmelton #graphicnovelcharacterdesign #artbooks #artsection #booksfordays #literature

A photo posted by Doncaster College LRC (@doncastercollegelrc) on Jul 15, 2016 at 6:16am PDT

For those are not aware what BookFace is, it is taking book covers and adding a human element to finish the book cover didn't include. This is something fun and light to do to keep the social media presence alive and upbeat and unique.

5. Fav Library Spots Photo Contest

My sister is heading back to school next week, and that made me think of my favorite place: the library! I'm happy to have graduated last year, but so many blissful days were spent amongst the shelves studying and reading. :) *** #fbf #flashbackfriday #library #collegelibrary #books #happy #bookworm #booklover #geeky #geekygirl #geekstagram #bookholic #book #bookaddict #read #reading #friday

A photo posted by Katy Rochelle (@katyrochelle) on Aug 26, 2016 at 6:23pm PDT

Create a photo contest challenging students to show off their favorite spot to study, hangout, or to maybe catch a few z's in between classes and a short explanation why they love it. The students send their photos and explanations, without names, and which ever picture gets the most "likes" earns a prize. A way to track posts is through a hashtag.

Stay tuned for next week's post!