Copyright and Social Media

Although copyright is automatically given to the creator of content, this can change somewhat when what is created is uploaded/shared/made online. Wherever you share something new (like a photo) that site will have it's own unique set of terms and conditions. Some of these terms and conditions seem to have little affect on users, but it is important to note that when agreeing to these terms, we may be giving away our copyright ownership for certain things - or everything - we share on that site.

For example, sites like YouTube and Twitter have the right to use work you upload without infringing copyright.

If we want to keep total copyright of our content, it is important to read through the terms and conditions of the media platforms we wish to upload to, and choose carefully what we do share on these sites.

Additionally, as users of social media we might infringe the copyright of others by using something (an image, audio, etc) that does not belong to us. Wikipedia has a guide for its users to follow before uploading images that has some simple rules to follow. If the content you are uploading is your own, belongs in the public domain, or is freely licensed, you will most likely not be breaking copyright law.

Social Media Etiquette

The way we behave online has many real-world consequences, both positive and negative. It is important to remember that behind every username, retweet, comment, and follow there is a real person and it is important to treat them with respect.

Here is a list of 10 "Commonly Overlooked Best Practices in Social Media" which covers a lot of the simple social niceties that both individuals and institutions should abide by online - things like being kind, respectful, and patient. This includes reading comments people leave and responding where appropriate.

It is also important to keep your profile and blog information up to date. This shows you care about how others see you online, and value any customers that seek information in this manner. Keeping posts relevant ensures your followers that you are reliable and professional.

Privacy and Social Media

Social Media is all about sharing and connecting, but we're not always aware of just who can see what we post and where. You might think it's okay to tell your friend your mobile number via Twitter, but who else can see it? You may consider you're Pinterest a safe place to indulge in your hobbies, but is it connected to your Facebook or Twitter? These are the kind of questions that social media users need to ask themselves regularly.

It's always a good idea to check the privacy policy and settings on any site you have an account on. This will reveal if people can find your account if they know your email, or if the site records your location. Understanding the privacy settings of each social media account can be time consuming, but could save you from identity theft, unwanted spam, and general embarrassment.

It is important to decide whether you consider each account personal, public, and/or professional. This will change not only your privacy settings but how you use your account in general.

Here is an article about privacy and social media which also talks about laws and how social media sites themselves profit from the more information we share.

Best Uses of Instagram by Libraries

Instagram may not be an obvious choice for institutions such as libraries, merely because it is largely only usable via the mobile application. Another downside to Instagram is that links to other websites and resources are not clickable when in a comment or post caption. As such Instagram has a limited ability to lead users to other sources of information, unlike Twitter or Pinterest.

A successful, useful Instagram account needs to be creating it's own content regularly. Original photos and videos with informative captions and helpful and/or fun hashtags are a must. Instagram may not be a tool for sharing large amounts of information, sharing links, or creating photo albums, but it does have some unique uses and a large user base.

Here are some way libraries can use Instagram:

• Posting photos and videos that reflect what is currently happening in the library, engaging customers, and showcasing and celebrating events. For example, the Australian Museum advertised their "#FreeMuseumWeekend" on their Instagram.
• Share collections and new acquisitions like the Fisher Rare Book Library.
• Reveal some of the behind-the-scenes of what goes on in libraries - as the State Library of Victoria does here.
• Interact with customers via comments and hashtags.

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.

Best Uses of Pinterest by Libraries

In general, Pinterest acts as place to collate bookmarks in a visual manner. A pin is an image, but also a link to a website. This means libraries can use Pinterest to visually engage people and capture their interest with an image, and supplement it with a description and a link, allowing people to investigate further or pin it to one of their own boards for sharing or bookmarking.

More specifically, libraries can use Pinterest to:

• Create boards for book reviews and recommendations, as does Moonee Valley Libraries with their Staff Favourites and Reviews. Here, the pin includes the book cover, the description acting as a short review, and the link taking the user to the library's catalog, so customers can take actions towards borrowing a book.
• Showcase activities, collections, and displays, letting people know what is happening at their local library.
• Create reading lists (i.e. a board the recommends books to read over summer, or books for certain age groups).
• Organise resources into different boards and make them available to the public. For example Hume Libraries' Pinterest and their Hume Communtiy board, which is a "collection of community resources", including many videos and information on what is happening in the area. Their Study Resources board fills a similar role, sometimes linking out to other sites with study tips and information.

There is a commenting system, but Pinterest seems to prioritise the pin's image and its source rather than any further discussion, the comment section often forgotten and neglected at the bottom of a pin.

Individual librarians can also use Pinterest in similar ways, and there are many boards dedicated to creative spaces and book displays for libraries. Pinterest can be a great source of inspiration. It can be a fun way to share ideas and find out what libraries all over the world are doing.