Copyright rules on Social Media

 General copyright rules apply when on social media. You have to be aware of what you are copying and if you have the right to post what you do. You cannot go to type an exam and directly copy and paste a paragraph from a random website, that is because 1. It’s not yours to take 2. It’s taking someone’s work and pretending it’s your own. In general, it is illegal/wrong for anyone to copy or distribute work created by you without your permission. You have to be careful on social media platforms and make sure that what you post is from you or you have permission to post! 

Different ways libraries use Social Media

Libraries use social media tools in order to represent themselves and promote what is happening in the library! Attached is three URL’s of three different libraries on three different social media sites. Depending on what site it is libraries can post pictures, upload statuses, create tweets, re post, like, re pin, scoop and re tweet posts.

The internet is very popular and common throughout our society in 2016 and having libraries use social media sites allows them to gain more exposure from the community. Facebook would be the most popular site that libraries brand themselves as it is the most popular and common site on the web with 1.23 billion accounts. Twitter is also a good site for constant updates on what is happening in the library with the use of hashtags. On the sites that I have seen, Libraries mostly post events that are happening in the library, have a link to their website and post statuses that relate to the library or the community. 

https://www.instagram.com/national_library_of_australia/

https://www.facebook.com/cityofmeltonlibraries/

https://twitter.com/library_rmit

Twitter Review

What am I going to use Twitter for?	You can post statuses. You can upload photos. You can follow celebrities, friends, families or companies and see what they post. Sharing of news, content and stories.
Easy to use:	Yes
Support tools to help me learn and use this platform	Yes
Security:	Quite good
Use own branding:	You can change your profile picture and a header photo.
Demographic:	Medium age group aged 16 – 45
Can I annotate pictures	Yes, can comment on pictures, re tweet posts and like them.
Limitations:	You have a character limit when writing a status. (Only 140 characters) You can receive a maximum of 250 direct messages a day (for a company that might not be ideal) When trending, pornographers and marketers abuse hashtags. Others can use hashtags is a serious way but it is for a different event that you’re using the same hashtag for.
Can I use it on mobile platform:	Yes
Is there an app:	Yes
Would this stand up as our only social media choice:	Yes
Recommendation:	Twitter is quite a good and popular social media platform. It’s easy to re tweet.  When enough people are using the same hashtag, the hashtag ‘trends’ so lots and lots of people can see what you are tweeting. It’s free media attention and you can have constant updates of statuses and photos.

Pinterest Review

What am I going to use Pinterest for?	Suggested reading New book releases Sharing ideas Book reviews Link to library catalogue Book trailers
Easy to use:	Yes
Support tools to help me learn and use this platform:	Yes
Security:	Really good
Use own branding:	No, limited to icon only.
Demographic:	Women Adults Medium age group aged 20 – 45
Can I annotate pictures	Yes, can comment on pictures
Can I link to my catalogue	Yes, in the comments area.
Limitations:	Can’t change layout, hard to search (scatter approach) Can’t use it for photo sharing. Overwhelming as it can appear messy. not personal (can’t upload statuses)
Can I use it on mobile platform:	Yes
Is there an app:	Yes
Would this stand up as our only social media choice:	No
Recommendation:	Pinterest is a great free site for recreational purposes. You can ‘pin’ photos, have your own boards filled with pictures and see what others have on their boards. The platform can get lost within the world wide web as in comparison to sites like Facebook and twitter it’s not as popular.

Facebook Review!

 What is Facebook?

Facebook is a social media platform that allows you to have your own account. You have your own ‘Timeline’ which is where your posts, pictures and videos are stored sorted by date. (Newest to oldest) On Facebook, you are able to search for anyone around the world. Once you find someone you want to follow, you send a friend request. If they accept then you are able to see what they post. You also have the option of not accepting people and even blocking them so that they can’t see your timeline. On Facebook, the aim of it is to update people what is happening in your life and stay connected with your friends. You can post statuses, post pictures or videos. You can share, comment or ‘like’ what other people post and can even write on others walls.   What do I want to use this social media platform for? Facebook is wonderful as you can stay connected with people all around the world. It can be used to promote a company or just update people on your life. You can use the site in a professional way so if employers see your account, it’s a good representation of yourself or you can use the site in a more careless way depending on what you upload.
Any there any tools to help me use this social media platform? Yes
Is the site fairly easy to use? The site is fairly easy to use. My 77 year old grandfather has his own account and uses Facebook every day on his iPad. He is from Malta and uses it to see what is happening there. He also likes to go through relatives profile page to see what they’re up too, sometimes he accidentally posts random words when searching for someone but besides that he is quite good when using the social media platform. My 13 year old sister also has Facebook and is very confident when using it. So the site is quite easy to navigate and use.
Is the security of the site adequate? The security is very good on Facebook; you can choose the privacy setting on your account. You have to accept any friend request that you get and can decline. When posting a status, you can choose who gets to see it.
Are other libraries using this social media platform? Yes, lots of libraries use Facebook as a way to promote what is happening in their library.
Can I use my own branding (customization)? Yes, you can update cover photo, profile picture
Is there a particular demographic that uses this social media platform?

Age range from 12 – 80. Anyone and everyone can use it

Can I use it on mobile platform: Yes

Is there an app: Yes

Would this stand up as our only social media choice: Yes, Facebook is extremely popular

Recommendation:

Facebook is a really good social media platform. The site is very popular with 1.23 billion users.  If you were running a library, you can easily build up a group of followers. You have the option to post whatever you like with no word limit. You can post pictures, videos and statuses.