The amount of information found on Facebook and Twitter is amazing.  I wondered why attending the school district's convocation this summer I kept hearing people say "I'm going to tweet this," or "Did you see that she just tweeted about the flash mob?  I hear the phrase "it's Greek to me."  That's how I  felt about using Twitter.  I browsed through both Facebook and Twitter and I am sharing what I found.

     I took a look at Facebook.  I browsed elementary school pages in the district where I work.  I am not currently a librarian so I can't give information about our school's library page. I noticed that the librarian used it as an opportunity to promote upcoming events like Dr. Seuss celebration or a visit from Clifford the Big Red Dog.  There were a few likes but no comments from anyone on the pages that I viewed.  There were pictures shared of events shared and once again no comments.

      I went on to look at pages of middle school libraries in the district where I work.  I saw pictures of art work displayed in the library and it had likes and comments.  Then there was another page that posted pictures of students having lunch in library.  Another school provided links for ESL classes at the public library.  There was also a link with the mayor promoting reading year round.  I looked at a page of a middle school near Fort Worth where I work.  The middle school in Haltom City used their page to make announcements for the library.  I saw announcements for when books were due, book fair dates, and yearbook sales.  One post showed pictures of students at a book signing with an author.

     After not finding much on those pages I went to high school pages in Fort Worth and in Crowley which is near Fort Worth.  The high school in Fort Worth used the pages to announce colleges and universities that will visit the library.  The one in Crowley had one photo of the library and 49 likes.  I decided to look at a high school in another town.  This high school page showed pictures of different ways they promote reading.  The one I remember looked like the Redbox movie rental.  Instead it said Readbox and said the rental fee is $0.  I think that is a clever or different way to decorate the library.

     

     I think that Facebook is used as a tool to interact socially.  It doesn't seem as students are interested in school library Facebook pages.  I also think that library pages may not be managed well.  Those who posted things for school libraries seemed to have used it as a photo album.  I see that as a advantage because more people can view what's in or happening in the library.  While social media is a way of communication it needs to be effective.  With that being said maybe librarians can use Facebook to introduce new books.  Facebook does not have the personal affect that will allow one read a book cover, flip the pages,  or explore the illustrations.  I more of the old fashion one who likes the smell and feel of books.

     I had my first feel of twitter while doing this assignment.  It is more appealing to me.  (I personally don't like all the advertisements and information that Facebook displays on the side of feeds.)  I read an article/blog By Kate Messner that John Schu (@MrSchuReads) re tweeted, The Power of Sharing Stories in Stacks.  The idea of putting several books in a stack for readers is a good idea.  She shared how she did this for a student who was going through a tough time.  The student chose a book that she thought was a good read for him to read.  This makes choosing books less overwhelming by shrinking the choices of books and hopefully finding something they enjoy.  Twitter seem to be a better tool for school libraries.  I saw more literature resources.  Something else he re tweeted was a book named Atoinette.  I am particularly interested in some books that were shared.  Mr. Colby Sharp (@colbysharp) tweeted the book Nana in the City for Read Aloud month in October.  That would have been a great book for today on Grandparents Day. It was nice to see previews and reviews for books.  All these seemed to have been posted today.  I am new to twitter and have spent the day figuring it out.  Looking at the feed on Twitter showed me so much about new books that are to be released.  It's also interesting to links to blogs from experts about motivating reading.
   
     Our school library does have a Facebook page.  I am not currently a librarian so I don't have permission to post anything.  The Facebook page has been updated.  The last event was in March.  Unfortunately it will be a while before it will be updated.  Our school librarian has not returned to work because she is very ill.  We are hoping she is well very soon.  We do have a math teacher who uses the library to shoot music videos to promote school and motivation for the STAAR.  I am looking forward to the opportunity to share a school library on social media.  Hats off to the professionals who are already doing an excellent job.