Teaching Tweeting: Recommendations for Teaching Social Media Work in LIS and MSIS Programs

Rachel N. Simons, Melissa G. Ocepek, Lecia J. Barker

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A combination of public relations, marketing, advertising, and information and communication technologies, social media work is an increasingly important part of information professionals’ jobs. This paper reports on a survey-based study of 49 information professionals who routinely use social media in their work. Respondents provided information about their most-used social media tools and platforms, described their specific social media tasks, and shared how they learned to use social media. They also gave advice on the possible integration of social media into an MLIS or MSIS curriculum. While considering technical skills and the knowledge of specific platforms to be important, respondents also recommend that professionals be able to multi-task, work and update their knowledge independently, and adopt new technologies. Above all, respondents emphasized the high standards for social media communication and encouraged strong written communications skills, thus suggesting that MLIS and MSIS coursework should actively develop such skills.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)21-30
JournalJournal of Education for Library and Information Science
Volume57
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • MLIS curriculum
  • MSIS curriculum
  • social media
  • communications skills
  • information professional
  • social media work
  • social media librarian
  • research methods

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