A few words on using Pinterest for Libraries

Pinterest is a social media website that allows users to create and share virtual bulletin boards. Libraries and librarians can use this site to promote the library or sharing ideas.

Pinterest is really easy to use. Boards can be set up very quickly on topics of interest. It is very easy to pin content and to upload new content. Pinterest has a large user base and is a place where people are engaging with content.

You can promote your library many different ways using Pinterest.

• You can connect with other users across social media platforms via Pinterest by quickly pinning and linking to content on other sites. 
• Pinterest can be a great way to highlight tools, resources, or aspects of the library that can get lost in the shuffle.
• Aside from reaching out to our users (such as students), Pinterest can be a great tool for collaboration and a way to either connect with or work with other organizations on campus. 
• Pinterest is a space for digital curation and librarians can draw upon their expertise in curating physical objects in the virtual space of Pinterest. 

The New York Public Library has a great collection of Pinterest boards that don’t just promote the library, but also help patrons do research without having to visit the library itself.

Ringling Museum Art Library’s collections includes Pinterest boards reflecting types of materials the library has including fine art and sculpture, rare books, photography, fashion and decorative arts, and even the circus.

Cambridge University Library has a solid collection of carefully selected pins.

Group boards, which enable many people to pin to a single board, are popular with the library community on Pinterest. The Great Library Marketing group board has more than 110 pinners sharing their favorite images, campaigns and infographics. 

Many librarians are capitalizing on the visual power of Pinterest to show off book covers, especially those from new books, special collections, and kid-friendly material. It can be a great way to attract readers to books they might not have otherwise checked out.

Pinterest makes it simple to create visually appealing reading lists for just about every topic under the sun. Some common lists include books made into movies, librarian recommendations, and kid-friendly fare. Sacramento Public Library

If your library is super cool, why not show it off? That’s just what some libraries are doing, especially after undergoing a big renovation project. One such library is Escondito Library, who showcases photos of their great murals, DVD sections, meeting rooms, children’s department, and more. 

Happy Pinning!