Twitter is a social networking and micro-blogging real-time information network that connects you to the latest information about what you find interesting. All a user has to do is simply find the streams you find most interesting and follow the conversations. Twitter is composed of small bursts of information called Tweets. Each Tweet is 140 characters in length. Connected to each Tweet is a rich details pane that provides additional information, deeper context and embedded media. You can tell your story within your Tweet, or you can think of a Tweet as the headline, and use the details pane to tell the rest with photos, videos and other media content. (Twitter, 2012).
Many libraries that have Twitter accounts use them to engage their users and spread information. Librarians can send “tweets” to interesting articles, share tips on the library and how to find things, discuss certain issues, and make announcements and updates. An example of an library using Twitter is the Yale Science Libraries. They use their Twitter account to post links to current news articles and to library resources (Dickson & Holley, 2010). My library uses our Twitter account to update users on library hours, closings, as well as events. To sign up for a twitter account visit https://twitter.com/. I’m also doing my PowerPoint presentation on Social Networking: Twitter so check back on my blog for it.
Dickson, A., & Holley, R. (2010). Social networking in academic libraries: the possibilities and the concerns. New Library World, 111(11/12), 468-479.
Twitter. (2013). https://twitter.com/
I love getting my information from Twitter. It's so convenient. I love to follow the various news channels and newspapers. There definitely is a skill to tweeting though - especially if tweeting for an organization - you really have to catch someone's interest. That's a lot of pressure because I know that I, personally, zoom through my timeline. So it can be really useful tool, but you also need to wield it carefully.
ReplyDeleteSamantha
Have you seen the ruling that came down form the Securities and Exchange Commission that says that companies and CEOs are now officially allowed to make announcements about stocks through tweets?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2013/04/securities_and_exchange_commis.html
-Maryska