Best Uses of Scoop.it by Libraries

On the surface, Scoop.it appears to be a lot like Pinterest. You can take content from anywhere on the web and make it into a "Scoop". You can choose a picture from your source, as well as some text. A user (or rather, a curator) puts these Scoops under certain "Topics", which work much like Boards on Pinterest. Even the layout has it's similarities, but overall Scoop.it seems to serve a different purpose to Pinterest, or at least a different purpose than most people use Pinterest for.

Scoop.it works best when used to create a wealth of links and resources on a certain topic. It is a way for people knowledgeable in a certain field to share not only their own work from various places on the internet, but any articles, blog posts, websites, or reviews that they believe may be relevant or useful.

As such, libraries can use Scoop.it to cultivate an extensive point of reference and research tool for its customers. In addition:

• Libraries can use their own tagging system for all their Scoops. Users can then search within a Topic for Scoops more specific to their needs.
• Topic names are key to letting people know whether their Scoops will be relevant to them.
• Libraries can follow other curators' Topics, whether as a resource for employees on library related information (for example), or to find other Scoops that may be relevant to their own Topics (which they can then re-scoop).
• Scoop.it makes it easy to share anything you Scoop to other social media sites like Twitter and Facebook, so it can save time making multiple posts/links to a certain interesting link.
• To keep a Topic from appearing like a messy bunch of random links, it's important for libraries to add their own "insight" on their Scoops, explaining why the link is relevant and interesting. Here is a good example of how someone might add insights to their Scoops.

Scoop.it will not work for every library. The Topics created must be relevant and useful. Specialist libraries, high school libraries, and any other higher education libraries can curate Topics and Scoops that could potentially be an invaluable resource for its users. This teacher librarian's Scoop.it is a good example of this, with topics that cater to students like their "Middle School Science Resources" Topic.

Best Uses of Twitter by Libraries

Twitter is one of the most fast paced social media tools out there. With a 140 character restriction any tweets must deliver their message quickly and clearly. Twitter may be used to promote upcoming events, but Twitter is also often the go-to tool to share with followers what a user is doing right now, as they are typing out the tweet. Twitter takes the "new" in "news" down the the second, allowing events to be documented and shared simultaneously. It allows people to be up to date throughout the day (and night).

This of course affects the ways libraries use Twitter.

Here are some of the best ways libraries can use Twitter:

• Short messages and announcements, like this tweet from Moonee Valley Libraries regarding opening hours.
• Favourites, replies, and direct messages can all be used to get feedback from the community.
• Replies and direct messages can be used to answer any queries a Twitter user might send to the library, helping the library be accessible and engaged with its customers.
• Links, images, and videos can all be shared on Twitter, and can act as a way of letting people know about new blog posts or things that are currently happening at the library. The Victoria State Library often uses both images and links in their tweets.
• Join in on relevant hashtags (#) to allow users interested in the topic find their tweets, or even come up with their own hashtag to engage other users and get people talking about the library.
• Retweet relevant information from other Twitter accounts.

Twitter is popular and easy to use, but often needs to be supplemented with links to sites that allow more extensive information to be shared and explained. It works best when use in tandem with other social media, such as a blog or Facebook.