3 School Library Facebook Pages - 3 Different Levels

Facebook has become increasingly popular over the years. As this site gained in popularity among users seeking to connect with friends, family, and love interests, it continued to grow into an avenue for advertising, advocating, and promoting. Following that idea, schools and school libraries have taken notice, and so started creating their own Facebook pages. It makes sense. If one of the goals of a school library is to remain accessible to students, and Facebook connects people, then every school library should have a Facebook. Below is a review of three different libraries at the elementary, middle school, and high school level. After each review, I included photographs of each school's Facebook page.

Wilson Elementary

https://www.facebook.com/rwlibrary

This library’s Facebook page is full of colorful illustrations and backdrops. This seems appropriate for the age of the library patrons. A Dr. Seuss backdrop welcomes me to the Roosevelt-Wilson Elementary page. The posts include those relating to school events. Reminders of holidays and school activities are posted. A few thought provoking pictures and videos are posted as well. The most interesting posts include pictures of children who are taking part in library activities. In addition to picture of the students, the library posts the names of ticket winners, which appears to be a contest in the library. It looks as if the library’s Facebook page is dedicated to the students and posting updates for parents. One of the negatives about this page is that there are no posts from students. When considering that most of the students may not have permission or the knowledge on how to use Facebook, it limits the possibility of students posts.

Whitman Middle School
https://www.facebook.com/wildcatreaders?ref=br_tf

This Facebook page is bursting with life. Frequent updates are posted such as grant notices, fundraisers, and school events. The best part about this page is the events that it documents. For example, one posts informs students about an upcoming football game, but the post connects the event to a few books on the topic of football. This is an awesome idea. Students who are not readers may see this post and make their way to the library for the first time. While younger readers may view the library as a fun place, older students get might begin to pull away from reading. As librarians, educators, or students we must share book titles and authors that our friends or acquaintances might enjoy.  Another factor that made this page stand out is the videos posted by the school librarian. The librarian seems enthusiastic about the library and about learning. While friendly librarians should be the norm, I can honestly say that libraries are not always as warm and welcoming as they need to be. Overall, this school library has the best page of the three. I will be visiting their Facebook page again for ideas.

                                                  Moffat County High School

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Moffat-County-High-School-Library/342500935837750

The Facebook page for this library is filled with pictures of a library event called One Book, One MCHS. The event encourages students to read a selected book and then to have a group discussion about the book. Following group discussion, students are treated to the movie version of the book and pizza. The students all seem happy to be a part of the program. Much of this library’s page displayed post after post encouraging students to sign up for the event. Other posts include sporting event notices, book sale notices, and the announcement of new book arrivals. While the page is organized quite well, the lack of student posts is odd. Typically high school students love to post on Facebook. I question whether students are even allowed to post. If not, it may be because students at the high school level are at more risk of posting inappropriate material on the page.