Tag Archives: Instagram

How-To: Really Utilize that Instagram Account!

InstagramWe know that social media sites like Instagram can be used to connect with patrons – but do you ever wonder if you’re using your social media sites effectively?  The New York Public Library (NYPL) is here to help you really get some use out of Instagram!  Morgan Holzner, who manages the NYPL’s Instagram account, recently posted, 20 Ways to Make People Fall in Love With Your Instagram. It is based on a presentation she gave at the annual MCN conference in November 2014.  Her final bit of advice?  Be passionate!  “I cannot stress this one enough,” she writes.  “If you run your account with passion, your followers will see this and give it right back to you.”

Ways That Libraries Use Instagram!

Fuji X100 with Gordy's Camera StrapThere are some great ways libraries can utilize Instagram.  The New York Public Library is a great leader to look to.  They use some really great “hooks” for followers – from posting old book reviews to #bookfacefriday.  This is a way that they use to encourage followers to contribute.  Users can connect with The New York Public Library and send images to them.  You might end up on their Instagram, like these two from Palm Beach County Library!

While having some simple fun is great, Instagram can help you get more patrons in the door for those great events you’re planning!  Amy Mollett and Anthony McDonnell, of The London School of Economics and Political Science, have a great blog post about more ways to use Instagram.  A couple things they recommend are posting teaser pictures of event posters, or of people getting ready for the events.  Let your followers know what’s going on at their local or school library, and encourage them to contribute to the conversation!

Are you already on Instagram?  We’d love to see what you’re posting.  Please share your library photos with us (via Facebook, Twitter, or even e-mail)!

Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/nsrltvb, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

23 Mobile Spotlight on Instagram!

icon_23_100px1This week the CMLE office shines the 23 Mobile Thing spotlight on Sharing Photos, Thing 10.

CMLE Board member and Sauk Rapids Media Specialist Maria Burnham expressed her love for Instagram. “I love, love, love Instagram,” she said. On her post, she demonstrated how Instagram can be used easily and quickly at any moment. While on a student walk, she just held her camera in the air and took a picture. By applying a filter to the picture, she was truly able to capture the mood. “Everyone’s a professional photographer with Instagram!”

Many other libraries and schools are starting to use Instagram in their programs and classes. We at CMLE found this great post with 9 Interesting Ways to Use Instagram for Your Library. Or, how about Five Ways Universities are using Instagram?

How are you sharing photos at your library or school?

For other great photo sharing ideas, or for any of the Things, check out the other CMLE participant’s blogs from this page: http://23mobilethingsmn.org/cmle/

For those that are in the program, we encourage you to continue blogging, tweeting, and posting about your experiences. If you’re struggling for motivation, feel free to skip around. Find that mobile thing that motivates you. Remember the end date to complete all 23 Mobile Things is June 15th. If learning more about mobile devices isn’t enough, we remind you that registered Minnesota participants are eligible for prizes! Keep up the great work and make sure to collect your badges.

Tip: See what people are saying on Twitter about 23 Mobile Things by following the hashtag #23ThingsMN  and join the conversation!