Social Media for Libraries: Choosing the Right Platforms for Adult Audiences


Which social media platforms are most effective for reaching and engaging adult library users?

Libraries have a lot of different audiences to cater to, but one group that tends to get overlooked in social media strategies is adults. While programs for kids and teens often grab the spotlight online, adult services like book clubs, author talks, and tech workshops can really benefit from some thoughtful promotion too. It’s all about using the right platforms to reach the right people.

For many libraries, Facebook is still a go-to for engaging with adults. It’s widely used for local news and events, so libraries can really take advantage of event pages, photo albums, and community posts to keep folks informed. Plus, Facebook groups can create niche communities—think "Mystery Readers Book Club" or updates for a "Makerspace Workshop."

Instagram has its perks, especially for adults in their 20s to 40s. Its visual nature is perfect for promoting displays, sharing book recommendations, and showcasing community collaborations. Libraries that keep their Instagram aesthetic friendly and inviting—using warm lighting and featuring staff—often find it’s a great way to connect and project a modern vibe.

Then there's LinkedIn, which isn't used as much but can be a fantastic tool for professional outreach. It’s ideal for connecting with educators, local businesses, and adults interested in lifelong learning. By sharing posts about workforce development or tech training, libraries can engage with people looking to boost their skills.

The best strategy usually involves a mix of these platforms. Using Facebook for community connections, Instagram for sharing compelling visuals, and LinkedIn for professional development allows libraries to play a diverse role in adults' lives.

Question for Readers:

Which social media platforms have worked well for connecting with adults at your library or organization? What made those efforts shine or fall flat?

Madison Ledford

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Social Media for Libraries: Training for Library Marketing

Image
How can libraries prepare staff to communicate effectively in a fast-paced digital environment? Library marketing requires a broad skill set. Staff need to possess strategic thinking, visual communication skills, community awareness, and a strong foundation in professional ethics. Training builds these capacities. Training also strengthens confidence, improves consistency, and supports a unified message across all platforms. Effective marketing development begins with purpose. Staff must understand how outreach supports library goals. Staff must also grasp how promotion reflects library values such as intellectual freedom, equity of access, and community service. Workshops on tone, accessibility, privacy, and message clarity help create shared expectations. The American Library Association provides guidance on accessibility   through its Code of Ethics . Libraries benefit from structured learning in practical skills. Tools such as Canva ,  LibraryAware ,  and Meta Busine...
Read more

Libraries Reaching Rural Communities Through Social Media

Image
How can libraries serving rural areas use social media to bridge the access gap? For many rural communities, the library is one of the few public institutions that provide free internet access, educational programs, and reliable information. Yet the people who most need these services often live far from the library building itself. This is where social media can serve as a critical connector. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and even YouTube allow rural libraries to reach patrons beyond physical walls, sharing resources and programming with people who may not be able to visit regularly. Social media also helps highlight the unique role rural libraries play. A Facebook post about a new audiobook collection or a YouTube video tutorial on how to use the library’s digital catalog can make resources more visible and accessible. Even sharing photos from community events creates a sense of connection, reminding patrons that the library is more than just a building—it’s a hub for learnin...
Read more

A Missed Opportunity? - How libraries could use YouTube to increase visibility - Beth Wolf Blog Post #1

Image
After my undergraduate degree, I am ashamed to say that I fell into a huge book slump for years. If you don't know what a book slump is, I am very jealous of you. Personally, I didn't have a term for what I was going through until I became an avid consumer on, what I affectionately call, BookTube. I was an English major during my undergrad degree and, while I loved most of the books that we were reading, consuming so many books that I did not personally choose for myself, the opposite of what the BookTubers I now regularly watch call "mood reading," really burned me out on reading for a while. Flash forward to a couple years ago. I was facilitating the book club of a (now previous) job and looking for books to recommend to my book club. In my Google search, I found some videos on YouTube of book recommendations for book clubs. This was pretty interesting but hold that thought. I wasn't obsessed yet. I was still falling into the same traps of reading books that are...
Read more