Planning for Barriers in Hospital Library Social Media Implementation

Abstract

Librarians are increasingly turning to social media to connect with patrons online and to market library services and resources. Hospital librarians face unique challenges when launching new social media accounts. Privacy concerns, change of staff roles, differing perceptions of the purpose of social media, and the constant evolution of social media technology present organizational barriers to establishing and maintaining effective hospital library social media accounts. Acknowledging and planning around these barriers can help hospital librarians successfully establish and control the direction of their social media efforts.