Twitter as a learning community app

University Librarians using Twitter

Using Twitter to connect members of a learning community is an interesting idea. In my graduate class we read this article about librarians using Twitter to promote articles and activities in university libraries.

Several 'before-and-after' examples were shared with librarians making statement posts, as compared to those making marketing-like posts to promote an idea. For example, a statement post lists the link to the library's music source files. There's no additional information for students who may be unfamiliar with this. In contrast, the librarian posted what the journal article authors describe as 'interesting and personality-rich' Twitter posts targeted to the new graduating class. It addresses them as "alums" and let's them know that they're always welcome to use the library. I do agree that this post personalizes the librarian and the services offered to these new graduates. The librarians at this particular university in the study increased Twitter interactions by 48% by using personality-rich posts.

Have you considered this marketing type of approach to using social media for learning purposes? Is this something you would use or feel comfortable with?

References and Links

Young, S. W. H., & Rossmann, D. (2015). Building Library Community Through Social Media. Information Technology & Libraries, 34(1), 20–37.

Image source: https://statelibrary.ncdcr.gov/services-libraries/resources-library-staff/public-librarian-certification-commission

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