Social Media and the Provision of Library and Information Services at the University of Limpopo Library

Abstract

The use of social media (SM) tools in both public and private institutions is growing remarkably. Academic libraries, in particular are confronted with serious challenges of becoming the leader in adopting various SM platforms to enhance the delivery of library and information services to their users. This study investigated the extent and ways in which librarians attached to the University of Limpopo library use SM platforms in the provision of library and information services to their patrons. The study examined types of SM tools used, purposes that SM tools are used for in academic libraries, factors that determine and impede the use of SM, as well as the attitudes of the library staff towards the use of SM in providing library and information services. The study adopted a qualitative research approach through the use of a semi-structured interview (administered face-to-face) with 10 academic librarians at the University of Limpopo (UL) as a data collection method.

The findings of the study show that UL library staff largely use SM platforms such as Facebook to market and promote library services as well as Library-Blog to liaise with the schools or faculties. The study further revealed that librarians at UL are not in charge of SM applications. Instead the Marketing and Communication Department administrator is responsible for the management of SM in the university. The study notes that library personnel are aware of various SM platforms. Therefore, it has a direct influence on their use in work-related tasks. Moreover, the ease of use, low cost, high demand and usefulness of SM applications are contributory factors which motivated the librarians to want to use it. The study further reveals factors that inhibit the effective use of these applications and recommends that library management should create SM policies to boost the effective use of SM for the benefit of library patrons.