Social Library, Volume 126

Jennifer Peterson /

Image courtesy Blount County Public Library on Facebook

Up next in our Social Library series, we’re shining a spotlight on five libraries who are using Facebook in innovative and engaging ways, to tell their library and community stories. This edition includes not-so-quiet library learning, Janis Joplin, the Shetland Islands, patron stories and an epic #BookFaceFriday. If you'd like to see your library featured in an upcoming edition, please let us know via [email protected] or find us on Facebook.

  • Blount County Public Library in Tennessee shared their Libraries Aren't Quiet Anymore post which includes a series of statements about the ways the library connects patrons to not-so-quiet learning opportunities. This creative post, complete with appropriate emojis, was shared over 60 times! "In our opinion, quiet libraries are boring! That’s because learning isn’t always a quiet activity..." From performing a play to learning the fiddle, and from dance lessons to cosplay, the list ends with "So, tell us, what do you want to learn at our library next?"
  • Sonoma County Library in California shared a 1957 newspaper clipping about Janis Joplin, a volunteer worker at the Gates Memorial Library at the state college, in her hometown of Port Arthur, Texas. The post generated over one thousand shares and numerous comments!
    Image courtesy Shetland Library on Facebook
  • Shetland Library in Lerwik on the Shetland Islands of Scotland introduced us to the Up Helly Aa tradition. This amazing celebration, originating in the 1880s, marks the end of winter, on the last Tuesday of January, drawing both locals and visitors from around the world! It's a day-long festival that culminates in a torchlight procession to the fiery lighting of the galley, a large Viking boat. They shared photos from their very busy Up Helly Aa Bookbug session, including these young Vikings at right, and a short film enacting the galley finale with characters built using their 3D printer. We learned so much from the 4-minute video on Promote Shetland's Facebook page (check out the hour and a half video from the live broadcast!) and more about the history of Up Helly Aa on the official website. We've added this outstanding celebration to our bucket list!
  • Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library in Ohio shared a post about a patron's visit that morning. The older woman entered the library and said, "I need to apply for housing on a computer, and I've never done it before. I was up all night worrying about it." The post goes on to describe how the library was able to help and noted, "Were it not for public libraries, our most vulnerable citizens would be shut out of benefits that depend on technology, like public housing applications." The post garnered over 500 likes, over 100 shares, and numerous comments. Social media serves as a great way to share (and invite!) testimonials and anecdotal stories about the critical access your library provides.
  • Portland Public Library in Maine shared an epic #BookFaceFriday post last week. The book is a biography about Stevie Nicks; the photo is brilliant; and we love how the post serves as a reference resource, including links to Facebook pages for all the members of Fleetwood Mac, the publisher, and even the newspaper that published a review of the rock biography. Great work!