When discussing shifts in library service, it is important to mention the ways library outreach is transforming. Social media has long been part of library outreach, but in recent years, this has taken new form. With the rise of TikTok, libraries around the world have begun to participate in a refreshed, and even more trendy, social media landscape. As the IFLA Trend Report of 2024 explains, young adults prefer to use social media for receiving their news and other important information. This is something that, in recent years, libraries have caught onto and have begun to use to their advantage. Through short-form video content, libraries can create online engagement with their communities and even those outside of their communities.

          This form of digital outreach has far surpassed the usefulness of its social media predecessors. TikTok has become a go-to space to receive information, and short-form video content is transforming the information landscape. With this transformation in the way we search for and receive information, libraries have found their niche. This social media tool has already proven its usefulness to library outreach and engagement, with many public libraries gaining follower counts in the tens and hundreds of thousands.

          Creating cult-like followings through funny videos, or by using their content to inform about library services and programs, libraries and librarians are using TikTok to grow support and engagement. Librarians like Mychal Threets (@mychal3ts on TikTok) have become viral sensations, gaining large followings and, thus, the ability to bring awareness to library services and issues related to libraries to their audience. Furthermore, TikTok users have popularized their local libraries by visiting, creating videos, and adding to the #library tags.

          The potential for outreach growth through this social media app is tremendous and will continue to be seen for years to come. This, then, posits the question of how libraries may continue to see success through TikTok outreach methods and the future incorporation of short-form digital media in libraries and the information landscape. It is not far-fetched to imagine that libraries may begin to hire content creators and managers for their TikTok accounts, to keep up with this growing asset. Just as there are outreach teams, it is likely we will see a transformation in this area and the rise of social media specialists and content creation teams for libraries.

          In recognizing the transformative stage of the information landscape we are in, libraries are participating in social media trends and revamping interest and community participation, while exposing new audiences to library advocacy efforts. Growing an online following has become a crucial step in the success of many businesses, and libraries, too, have bought into this business plan. In doing so, a new generation of library goers is growing via the virtual community of TikTok.

“I can say without hesitation that our library program would not be as successful, supported or engaging were it not for our robust social media presence. To serve our students, we need to speak their language and we need to live where they live. And right now, a lot of our students are speaking and living TikTok. And so should we.”- Kelsey Bogan, 2020

 

References:

Bogan, K. (2020). TikTok and libraries: A powerful partnership. Schools catalogue information service, 115(4). https://www.scisdata.com/connections/issue-115/tiktok-and-libraries-a-powerful-partnership/

Dezuanni, M., Osman, K., Burton, A., & Heck, E. (2024). IFLA trend report 2024: Facing the future of information with confidence. https://repository.ifla.org/handle/20.500.14598/3496