Elementary School Libraries on Facebook

I find the use of technology, such as Facebook, to be a necessity in today's society. Therefore, when I looked at different elementary school libraries on Facebook, I saw more advantages than disadvantages.

The first school library that I looked at on Facebook was Roosevelt-Wilson Elementary School Library. The last post entry was on August 26th. I am unsure to why the page is not up-to-date because I found many useful post entries and over 400 people follow this page. On Roosevelt-Wilson Elementary School Library Facebook page I discovered posts related to school and library events (such as...PTO events, Open House, report card dates, library grants won, book pumpkin contest, book character sidewalk parade, and the school's library poet tree), article links, and inspiring images. The advantage of this site was that teachers, parents, students, and the community members have access to the school and library events. However, the disadvantages of this particular Facebook page were that many people didn't comment on the post entries and the page was not up-to-date.

The second page that I explored was created by the Lumberton Primary School Library. This Facebook page had the library's hours, address, email address of librarian, and website link posted to the left of the screen. The Lumberton Primary School Library Facebook page has been used regularly and is up-to-date for the 228 people who follow it. One of the advantages I noticed was that website recommendations were posted. While one disadvantage was that the post entries related to the school book fair were excessive. The book fair was mentioned in several post entries and in a variety of ways (from pictures of the teachers' wish lists to links and videos). The librarian even posted a copy of the book fair volunteer chart. I did like how the book fair was promoted, but thought it could have been done with several less post entries.

Like Lumberton Primary School Library, Moore Elementary School Library put their address, phone number, and web link to library catalog on the left side of the Facebook page. I really liked how the posts varied from school related to library related. The most recent post entry (posted yesterday) was about how the students at Moore Elementary were featured in the Cy-Fair magazine for collecting art supplies for pediatric cancer patients. Other post entries included: book fair reminders and pictures, librarians' notes, and fun library circulation facts. The disadvantage of this particular Facebook page was that not many of the post entries had comments from other users.

Becker Elementary Library Facebook page has 124 people following and 35 people that posted they have been to this particular library. The hours of operation are posted to the top left side of this Facebook page for the patrons to easily view. This page contained post entries related to the following: book fair, volunteering, donated items, school/library events, articles, and author/illustrator visit. However, this page also didn't have many comments to the post entries.

I feel that when I become a librarian I will use technology to connect with the teachers, parents, students, and community members. If Facebook is still popular, I will create a page for the school library in which I am the librarian. On the Facebook page or other type of technology communication, I will include the library's hours of operation, address, phone number, librarian's email, and link to library catalog system. I will include post entries on a variety of school, library, and community events. To inform the staff, parents, and community about the page, I will send home flyers or email or call.