By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
The days when patrons could score some library swag by responding to a question about their favorite book are over.
Last time the Wood County District Public Library did a giveaway post on social media was November, Kelsey Nevius, the communications and marketing specialist told library trustees Monday.
The changing landscape of social media is to blame. Now that X, formerly Twitter, and Facebook, have stopped independent fact checking too many issues of accuracy are popping up. Instead of third-party monitoring, Facebook, which also owns Instagram, and X are relying on community notes to check on misinformation on their sites. That basically puts the onus on users.
The giveaway posts drew responses not only from library patrons, but bots and trolls who offer dubious links of their own.
That poses a danger to patrons, Library Director Michael Penrod said.
“The spam comments just ruin it for everybody,” Nevius said.
Nevius said the library still uses social media as a way to connect with patrons, but is being more cautious, emphasizing its newsletter circulated via email. The newsletter currently has about 2,700 subscribers.
“We’re evaluating where our presence is,” she said. “We never want to abandon patrons there.”
As of now, the library is using mostly Instagram and Facebook.
“Who knows what it will like in six months or a year?” In the meantime, she said, if patrons have questions about these sort of technology issues they can contact the library for information.
The library hosts Technology Thursdays from 2-4 p.m., a time during which people can drop in to get their questions answered.She also reported that the library is upgrading its website in part to make it more accessible, and in line with Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines.
Also it was noted that the library magazines Bookish and Connect are no longer being mailed out in an effort to save money. They are available at the system’s libraries.
Ed. note: Links to both those magazines are available on the home page of BG Independent News.
