Five Ways to Use Linked Data on Social Media
by Jennifer Lohmann
Does your library struggle with posting information about your collection to social media? Most libraries are able to post links to a single item in their catalog. Some libraries are able to post links to search strings or to subject or author lists. Wouldn’t it be great to link to a concept, like a NoveList appeal term (like “creepy” books or books with an unreliable narrator)? Or read-alikes for a favorite author? Or a series list? And, like with a catalog link, have the Facebook post point back to your catalog?
Linked data has many cool (and possibly even industry-changing) long-term effects, but it’s your library’s data, which means it’s available for you to use now. And now includes posting your data to social media in ways that weren’t available before Linked Library Service and NoveList Select for Linked Data.
Need ideas?
Use linked data pages in your Facebook and Twitter readers’ advisory recommendations
If your library does RA Ask-a-Librarian sessions on Facebook or Twitter, try posting recommendations from your library’s linked data. For example, if someone loves Louise Penny’s Inspector Armand Gamache mysteries and is looking for more books like them, you can share NoveList recommendations for other series they might like.
Post about those books in your catalog that pop culture fans will want to find
Fall means it’s time for new seasons of your library members’ favorite shows. NoveList’s Recommended Reads Lists are now available for NoveList Select for Linked Data customers, which means you can post a list of books recommended for fans of The Walking Dead season 8 to Facebook on October 22nd.
Post about books in your collection to help people learn more about what’s in the news
When I worked in a public library, big news events always brought people into the library asking for more information — whether about a history of a country they didn’t know much about or a better understanding of a bill being debated by politicians (and in the press). The news is a great opportunity to show off the library’s collection.
For example, you might share all the items in your collection about the National Football League on Facebook.
When award time comes around, share previous award winners
As awards like the Pulitzer are announced, hold lists for the winning books go up — which make that the perfect time to share lists of past award winners. For example, post a widget of all the items in your collection that won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography.
New book in a popular series just out? Share a list of all the books in the series
I know I’m not the only reader who found themselves three books behind on the Inspector Lynley books by Elizabeth George and I only noticed when I happened upon the most recent title while processing holds for my library. Anticipate that need by your community and post a list of all the books in a popular series to your Facebook or Twitter feed when the newest book hits your (hold) shelves.
Want to know how to share your own linked data? It’s as easy as finding the share menu on any linked data page with data to share. You’ll find “Share” at the top right of your linked data pages. Check out our tutorial on social sharing to see this in action.
