Social Media

The best techniques for public libraries using the social media platform Instagram. Instagram has one of the fastest growing and largest active user bases of the predominant social media platforms today.
Instagram is a visual medium and libraries are visual places with interesting spaces, people, interesting events, interesting items for loan and use inside the library. Add to this that people love libraries, and they love visiting their libraries. All we need to do is connect the two, connect what makes our libraries great, to the people that love those great things about the library.
This guide explores how to improve your photos and get more likes, comment and follows. It also has a list of 20 ideas for posts specifically for public libraries that could be used as a month long challenge.
 
Edit: Updated as of May 2017. The document contains new and updated information about new features in Instagram.

• Algorithm
• Stories
• Direct messages
• Collections
• Pods
• Gallery Posts

Instructional materials for basic Instagram class. Originally developed as part of Vancouver Public Library's Summer of Learning program.

Glossary of commonly used social media terms.

Learn the basics of Twitter. Set up an account, customize your account settings and begin following other Twitter users in this hands-on course. Companion information can be found at guides.vpl.ca/digital_awareness

The powerpoints that can be edited and used for a Blogging 101 class.
 
Outline and handout can he found here: http://librarytoolshed.ca/content/blogging-101-oultine-and-handout

This is the outline and handout for a 2 part class on blogging. I encourage you to edit the examples heavily for blogs and content of local interest. And creating your own demo blog is pretty essential.
Powerpoint slides can be found here: http://librarytoolshed.ca/content/blogging-101-powerpoints

The attached files can be easily modified to be used anywhere!  Running an Instagram class is a fun "advanced" class to run for those with mobile devices.
Handout updated October 2016.

Editable handout for a Twitter workshop.
Outline available here.

Editable outline for a hands-on class for Twitter.
Handout svailable here.