Patron needs and librarian responsibilities are ever-shifting. Especially now as the first “born digital” kids are entering their high school years, it’s the time for creating and expanding the library’s online presence, streaming capacity, and media literacy education toolbox. Late last year, I wrote an article about remote options for library programming, and in this article, I hope to expand on the how behind that idea.
Why make a library channel?
In the article linked above, I wrote about the ability for a library to make its own content for future use. Podcasts and YouTube give the library easy access to video or audio on demand. Using both (especially for speaking or cultural events) gives patrons choice for access and inherently duplicates the content for better preservation. Adding TikTok and Instagram to this arsenal gives you promotional powers beyond what was possible even with a full advertising and outreach team just a decade or so ago. Their capacity to livestream means you can help even more people join in on your events and engagements, helping to justify future funding and raising awareness in your community and beyond.
TikTok and Instagram for librarians
You can read about the basics of how to use TikTok (or Instagram) for your library here. As for the gist, TikTok and Instagram are perfect for promotion and community engagement. You’re already taking pictures of cute or inspiring displays for your webpage or even just to show your boss: Why not take a couple more minutes and shoot some b-roll to make a quick video to promote the library? These apps are used by millions of all ages. You can easily use TikTok and Instagram to connect with people in your area and expand library awareness and media skills in your community. Make information literacy fun with quick videos on the subject: The folks on the vertical video sites need the reminders, and there aren’t enough out there. There are also librarians and “booktockers” the library might find helpful concerning collection development or following literary trends. If you want to use both apps, that can easily double your engagement, and it’s simple to do with a few simple steps.
YouTube for Librarians
YouTube is a great option for hosting library talks and programming. While live music occasionally runs the risk of triggering automated copyright strikes, spoken word and other original content from libraries will be safe from such issues, and you should be taking advantage. Just check out the Kansas City Public Library’s youth library channel for some inspiration. The library itself or each of its branches can take advantage of YouTube: Genealogy departments can create their own how-tos to show fledgling genealogists the basics, the fiction department can do bi-weekly book talks, and the non-fiction department can broadcast talks with local historians or other guests, just as some starter ideas. There are millions of folks of all ages who–for various reasons–don’t use the vertical video apps, and most of them flock to YouTube for long-form content. Podcast hosting, too, often uses YouTube to boost engagement, and many people use YouTube like others use Apple Podcasts or PodBean. There are also thousands of librarians and libraries producing great content you can use for your own programming, as a rubric to create your own, or that is made specifically to educate librarians. Renee Hobbs runs a great channel with resources and panels by librarians, for librarians. The ALA runs a programming channel that is full of great advice and information for any librarian creating any form of library programming.
Podcasting for Librarians
When I was a kid, I loved informational and cultural-programming radio. I’d tune in every week to listen to the likes of Car Talk, and I’d always seek out the student run radio attached to the college in my area when they’d broadcast live music from visiting ensembles. The corporatization of radio and the commodification of the internet have set us back a bit in these areas, but podcasts are a way to get back to these radio roots with the added benefit of on-demand streaming. No longer do you have to maintain a radio mast or have FCC permission to broadcast original talk and audio content. The ALA has a slightly-dated webinar discussing podcasting in libraries that is a good jumping-off point for those getting started. There are a lot of opportunities for reaching out to other librarians, sharing resources, and creating educational discussions and content by librarians, for librarians. The SLLN Podcast is a great example of this (and a great resource for public school librarians), but there are many others, like The Gamer Librarian Podcast and LibraryPunk, that serve specific needs or communities. If you go the podcasting route yourself, be sure to know your audience and your niche: Don’t go through the extra effort of elbowing your way into a well-populated corner of podcasting, and don’t be afraid to do something others aren’t doing.
More resources
Searching for info on this topic can be time-consuming and confusing with all the algorithmic pleas from attention inherent to these formats. Below are some lists and archives that will be helpful to anyone learning about how to use these digital resources for their libraries or librarian professional development.
On-Demand Webinars: Programs & Services - ALA
Resources - SLLN: School Librarian Learning Network
Librarians on YouTube - Media Education Lab
YouTubers With Books - Cincinnati Public Library
The Top 5 Librarian Accounts on TikTok - Cardinal Rule Press
Top 50 Librarian Influencers in 2026 - Feedspot (Most of these folks aren’t only on Instagram, and many are happy to help newbies find their footing)
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