Facebook and School Libraries

Did you ever wonder how school libraries use social media such as Facebook?  Well, I did!  So, I searched and this is what I found.  I noticed immediately that school libraries at different levels use Facebook to PROMOTE their libraries.

At the elementary school libraries, for example, they usually post different things such as student achievements, book fairs, and new books. They also post a lot of pictures of different activities.  Some school libraries only post information and pictures of library related activities while others also include school wide events.  One of the elementary libraries I visited and that I liked was the Cordova Elementary School Library in Cordova, Alabama.  This page includes both library and school wide events and it seems to be updated often.  You can find it at:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cordova-Elementary-School-Library/168055128780

The middle school library Facebook pages that I visited seemed to be a little bit more formal than the elementary school pages.  These pages post pictures, activities, and announcements like the elementary schools do, but they also post links to important videos, articles, and blogs.  I also noticed some short book reviews in a couple of these sites.  Here's one that I liked for the Hoover Middle School Library:  https://www.facebook.com/wildcatreaders.

Lastly, I visited several high school library Facebook pages.  I found these to be even more formal than the middle school library pages.  But, they also posted information, photos, and events.  Like the middle school Facebook pages, they also included links to videos, articles, and blogs as well as book reviews.  One thing I noticed on several of the high school pages was that they also included links to different resources like finding a tutor, college applications for students, and financial aid information.  Here's an example of one that I visited for the Freedom High School Library in South Riding, Virginia:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Freedom-High-School-Library/292273407457638?sk=timeline.

Overall, no matter what the level - elementary, middle school, or high school - all of these libraries use their Facebook pages to promote their libraries.  They use Facebook as a way to connect with their patrons including students, parents, staff, and the community.  This way everyone can be informed.  This is definitely the number one advantage of using Facebook in the library.  A disadvantage, perhaps, would be that many of these pages are full of pictures of kids.  A lot of them have captions with their first and last names.  Personally, I don't like this.   You never know what other people may use these pictures or information for.  However, I do realize that in today's society this is quite normal.  Maybe I'm just too old school...