Exploring Ways Libraries Use Booktok! (part one)
1. What are librarians using TikTok for?
Nowadays, so many teens use TikTok and there is a whole BookTok community full of people who share their love for books.
- The first way librarians use TikTok is to create different BookTok videos to promote anything in the library, such as fun displays or book reviews. It can be used as such a useful marketing strategy because a lot of students would see the videos, and the TikToks (ex. book talks, new books) are very short and engaging. Why spend a bunch of time filming a commercial or paying a lot of money when you could do it on this platform for free and for a really wide audience.
- Another way TikTok could be used is for collection development (which basically means selecting materials and replacing lost materials) BookTok is a good source to find more books to add to the library collection to make it more diverse and inclusive. The best part is that it is completely free to make your following full of diverse authors and receive really good recommendations.
- Similar to the previous reason why librarians use TikTok, it is basically a smaller, more condensed, free version of a public domain. You could get tips on how to improve your library space, or how to have more knowledge as a librarian. You could use it to learn about relevant topics that you don't know a lot about, and that would increase your awareness.
- TikTok is a great place to advocate for what librarians and libraries actually contribute to the community. You could also make videos combatting harmful stereotypes of educating your audience about topics so there will be less confusion.
- It is especially important nowadays to have a strong social media presence (as a library, business, anything), since most people are on it a LOT. It's a great tool to use to build community and make the library feel like a safe space.
- It's easy to announce things on the platform. Sometimes, students don't want to read a whole paragraph, but since they're already on the app, they can just watch the short video. You can use it to announce events coming up, new books that came in the library, or different library programs.
- Tutorials can be made much easier on TikTok compared to making one from scratch. You can also download them, meaning you don't have to have TikTok to watch it and all students can have access to it. It is also great for your viewers to learn because the video is very summarized and short.
- Finally, TikTok can be used on other platforms too, making it a very versatile tool. For example, if you also use Instagram, you can post your BookTok to reels and if you have a blog, you can embed it into a blog post.
2. Which two do you think are most important for Fraser Heights Library? Why? Explain your reasoning with detailed examples that take into account specific things in our library.
- In my opinion, the community building aspect of having a strong social media presence is important in our library because our school is so populated and it is very helpful when we have a tool that encourages more people to stop by. For example, if there were BookToks promoting the comfy seating area next to the paperback books, people would see that and want to try and get a book to sit there to read. It could be a great way for people who have never even stepped inside the library to learn that it is a safe space where everyone is welcome.
- Collection development is also very important for our school library. Even though we already have many many books to begin with, i feel like libraries should always be expanding with more diverse authors. It is important for us to get inspiration and collect ideas for books that are relevant to today and put them in our library so more people would be enticed to come.
3. In your own words, summarize what she says about still using Tik Tok even if you don't make your own videos.
Even though TikTok is a great way for librarians to make their own content for their own specific libraries, they can still use it without having create anything of their own. Librarians can use it for educating themselves, collection development, or re-posting videos they find important. Librarians can decide what videos they want to highlight/ show to their audience and it is important to amplify worldviews other than your own.
4. Do you think it's important for the Fraser Heights library Tik Tok to make their own videos? Why or why not?
Five BookTok accounts I like:
~ This booktoker creates a bunch of book recommendation videos such as "Black female authors you should read", "poetry boooks you should read if you want to get into poetry", and more. She makes lists of a bunch of amazing books (more than five recommendations in a video) and has more than 2.5 million likes combined.
I chose her because her videos are very straight to the point and she showcases a lot of underrated books that aren't represented enough. She also includes really intriguing descriptions of each book that makes you want to read it even more. One of her videos is "Non-fiction books that have changed the way I think" and it shows a bunch of books that I have never heard of/ never seen in the library. It could inspire someone here to make a video showcasing books that have changed the way they think, because you know when that happens, that the book is actually good and really powerful. Another one of her videos is called "Books about the history they don't teach you in school" It's such a unique video idea and it would be so important for people to see this. Also, this would be really good for our library to repost because it gives ideas for book recommendations other than the ones you usually get assigned in class. These recs could offer students here more perspective outside of what they learn in class.
This account is run by a girl named Selene, who makes videos about book recs and other relatable book content too. Her content looks like its more catered towards a more younger audience, but libraries could still use her account to get ideas for materials. I chose it because she showcases mostly YA books, which is perfect for students at our school.
One of the tik toks I chose was when she did a mini book talk on the book "Iron Widow". She vlogged herself picking up the book while she talked all about the plot, the author, and the representation inside the story. These videos that focus on really explaining one book would be really good to repost because it would encourage people to want to come check it out. Not only would they just be seeing the cover and reading a little description, they would be learning a bit about the author as well as learning what representation it has inside. Another amazing video she made was showcasing different Latine authors, where she mentioned what impact each one had on her. This would be good to repost/ take inspiration from because during Latin American Heratige Month, it would be nice to give students book recs that have not really been heard of.
Other 3 accounts I like:
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