1. Twitter in the Library By: Cynthia thompson

2. Twitter is a tool that allows users to send instant messages and to social network via short messages. For many it’s a great way to stay in touch with friends, family and even complete strangers over the Web. The question I will answer is does Twitter work in a professional setting, like a library? I think so and in the next few slides I will show ways Twitter can be used in the library.

3. Keep in touch with librarian friends and colleagues. Find out what other libraries are doing around the world. Twitter makes it easier to keep up with what others are up to and to share and collaborate on projects.

4. Stay on top of the latest technologies. Even if Twitter does not have any applications that will work for you at the moment that doesn’t mean it won’t in the future. Staying on top of the latest technologies will make it easier in the long run to adapt them to your library.

5. Get information on conferences. Some conferences of interest to librarians have Twitter feeds that will allow you to keep up with registration deadlines, speakers and accommodations without having to visit the site itself all the time.

6. Have question and answer sessions. Thinking of making some changes to your library website or policies? You can get suggestions and opinions from patrons quickly and easily through Twitter. This can work with any kind of question and answer type situation and the possible uses are quite broad.

7. Share references. Library patrons can get online help from librarians through a Twitter account. Patrons can send messages asking about specific materials and staff can get back to them when they have information.

8. Announce library programs. Launching a new software or having a book sale? Let the public know about it through your Twitter feed. It’s a simple and easy way to get information out about any library.

9. Update patrons on new materials. Got exciting new resources? Let those in your area know about them through a Twitter feed. Some libraries already using Twitter send out updates when they get in new books. or larger libraries this might be impractical.

10. As you can see there are many ways to use Twitter in the library . I have just listed a few. Check out the websites below for other interesting ways Twitter can be used in the library. Have fun! http://library20.ning.com/ http://gathernodust.blogspot.com/2007/04/twitter-update-or-how-i-was-able-to.html http://www.teachinglibrarian.org/weblog/2007/05/reference-services-and-twitter.html http://www.webjunction.org/technology/web-tools/articles/content/449819