Social Media Insights: May-August 2023

Since May, the Department of Library Services has been wholeheartedly involved in creating and sharing engaging content, tirelessly promoting the library's offerings, and enthusiastically disseminating uplifting updates concerning its staff and events.

In May, we kicked things off by spotlighting staff graduation achievements, a nod to their hard work and accomplishments. We also showcased our successful dog therapy sessions, garnering over 6000 views on the reel, and maintained our well-received #UPSpecialCollections and #NewBooks posts that continue to illuminate and captivate students. Our standout reel for that month was the Medical Library tour, raking in an impressive 7.7k views.

As June rolled around, we persisted in delivering our regular #ResearchTipOfTheWeek series, #MondayMotivations, our #UseYourLibrary series which always assists students in navigating the library services, and we shared some exam tips for the exam period. We further highlighted our e-books through the engaging #FunFactFriday series, coupling intriguing facts with our digital collections. The month's highlight was the Health Sciences Library Virtual Reality Room tour, a hit with a staggering 10.3k views!

Throughout the recess period and into August, we kept the fun alive with our beloved #LibraryMemes and enlightening #WordOfTheWeek series. In celebration of South African Librarians’ Day, we curated a reel showcasing the vibrant students of our library, complemented by a heartwarming YouTube video spotlighting our dedicated staff. We continued sharing engaging library-related reels, resulting in our very first viral video, amassing over 100 thousand views – a noteworthy achievement!

In August, to mitigate the disruptions caused by library construction, we initiated a campaign encouraging students to contribute their thoughts to the construction walls. The response was heartwarming, with students leaving touching comments, as showcased in this reel. In celebration of Women's Month, we showcased a special Women's Day reel, highlighting some of the remarkable women associated with our library. Additionally, we shared valuable #UseYourLibrary tips, including instructions on how to place a book on hold within the library. This reel was the top reel of the month reaching over 4.5k views! These tips are not only beneficial for students, but can also be incorporated into info specialists' subject guides to assist other students!

Over these past four months, we've presented four enthralling #UPIsLit videos, featuring reviews of novels such as "Kodumela Moepathuse," dissected by Joew Malebane; “The University Challenge,” thoughtfully reviewed by former vice-chancellor Professor Tawane Kupe; and "The Profiler Diaries," masterfully reviewed by Boitumelo Masilo. In August Tsosheletso Chidi Bongwadi reviewed “Freshwater” written by Akwaeke Emezi.

This year, the DLS aimed to reach more students by sharing short videos or reels. We provided guided tours of library units, such as the Special Collections, and offered research tips, like how to filter through Research Commons events. We showcased other libraries, like the Law Library, to highlight the variety available. Additionally, we introduced our dedicated student workers who play a vital role in the DLS. Instead of traditional static news posts, we decided to make news more enjoyable by using popular TikTok sounds, as demonstrated in this reel about library construction. We also conducted student interviews to connect with students. These reels have proven to be successful and engaging for our student audience.

Overall, the Department of Library Services has maintained an unwavering commitment to student engagement and informative outreach. Their dynamic social media strategy is undeniably contributing to making the library an even more vital and cherished part of our university community.

To keep up to date with the activities and service offerings of the library, please follow our social media channels here:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter
• YouTube