What The Most Popular Libraries On Instagram Can Teach Us About Storytelling

Instagram is a fantastic resource for libraries.

It helps boost engagement from visitors, promotes library programs and events, inspires others to visit the library and read, and much more. Over the last few years, Instagram has grown like a weed into a great marketing and communications channel for libraries (and many other organizations that are looking to connect with people where they are).

Recognizing the role that Instagram can play in helping libraries raise their profiles and drive foot traffic, we’ve compiled a list of libraries that have found great success on Instagram. These libraries use visual storytelling to get readers engaged.

Take a look at the examples below for ideas to inspire your own Instagram efforts. Let’s dive in.

Show Off The Most Visually Appealing Elements Of Your Library

Use Instagram to show off some of the best visual aspects of your library. Do you have a great atrium, or beautiful shelf filled with old manuscripts from your special collections room? Post a picture on Instagram and show your followers the incredible resources—and aesthetics—you have to offer the public.

The National Library of France was established in 1461. Shown below, the Labrouste reading room was recently refurbished after being closed for a decade and is now open to visitors. It was built between 1861 and 1868 and its ornate vaulted ceiling is an architectural landmark. If you have inspiring spaces in your library, highlight them on your Instagram feed. Even if you don’t have a national landmark on site, show off your new renovation or a great view from a cozy reading nook.

Promote Unique & Interesting Library Programs

Most public libraries host public activities and events every day, from guest speakers and author visits to children’s story times and conversation groups for new English speakers. But people can’t show up to what they don’t know about, so use Instagram to promote the events happening at your library.

This post from the San Francisco Public Library shares information that many of the library’s followers may not be aware of: You can order materials from any branch in the city and they will be placed on hold for you at your local branch. No more long bus rides! The library sends you an email or text when your order is ready for pickup.

Share Important Announcements About Your Library

On October 19, the New York Public Library announced with a quick and informative video that they will be forgiving all fines for kids and teens. The project is an effort to improve literacy and community engagement, especially in high-need neighbourhoods. Nearly twenty percent of all library cards for kids and teens had been blocked because of fines. The library also used the hashtag #FineForgiveness to participate in an ongoing conversation with other libraries on Instagram who are implementing similar programs.

Click the image below to view the full video:

Track & Create Content About Special Holidays

Did you know there’s a #NationalMapReadingWeek?

I had no idea until I saw this Instagram post by the British Library featuring a 400-year-old map of the road from Oxford to Cambridge. Keeping track of similar events that are relevant to your institution will give you an opportunity to showcase your collections to the public, boost engagement on social media, and tune in to larger conversations about library management.

It’s helpful to find a resource like this one with all of these obscure holidays, then plug them into your calendar to make sure you have content lined up on your social media channels. Don’t miss #NationalLibraryWeek next April!

Follow & Share Industry Hashtags

Hashtags on Instagram are a great way to participate in a larger conversation with other libraries around the world—and they’re one of the most important elements for driving new growth on the platform. According to some studies, Instagram posts with at least one hashtag average 12.6% more engagement than those without.

Hashtags help you discover, tag and categorize similar content. For example, #ThrowbackThursday captures a collection of posts that call back to an earlier date. For a library, a hashtag like #ThrowbackThursday is an opportunity to share photos and stories from previous events, the library’s history or even books in general.

You want to combine hashtags that tons of people use (like #ThrowbackThursday) with more niche hashtags that are relevant to libraries or reading. Check out this shortlist of popular hashtags that libraries are using to connect right now:

#bannedbooksweek2017

#bookfacefriday

#shelfie

#librariesofinstagram

#librariesmatter

#librarylife

#librarylove

#thisiswhatalibrarianlookslike

Use Content To Inspire Others

Singapore’s Public Library regularly posts inspirational messages that encourage people to read more. You’ll notice that the team here at Custom Codex often shares inspirational content as well:

It’s no coincidence!

We know that people love inspirational content and are more likely to engage with posts that make them feel good. As such, we push to inspire our followers through content that highlights the power of history and the importance of storytelling.

Here’s a great example from the Singapore Public Library:

Many libraries use Instagram to showcase new books in their collection that are attracting a lot of buzz. Sometimes librarians feature their top pick of the year and ask readers to comment with their own favourite book of the year. Consider your social media profile an extension of the traditional thematic exhibits that libraries have been assembling for years—but with the ability to reach and inspire even more people than a physical exhibit.

Wrapping Things Up

Visual storytelling through Instagram is a great way for libraries to connect with their audiences. We’re visual creatures, so we connect with imagery just as much as—and sometimes more than—we do the written word (sorry, libraries).

If you’re interested in using visual storytelling to build an online presence for your library, get in touch with us today or sign up and give Cultural Codex a try on your own. We’re making it easier for libraries to share their collections and stories in a compelling way without a single line of code.

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