While the currency of brand accounts acting like real people for humorous effects online has less value than it used to, there’s a significant exception to that rule. That’s libraries engaging with short-form videos. Yes, I’m talking about TikTok, but they also upload to YouTube and Instagram and often get reposted by other accounts on Twitter. Some of the most consistently fun content on TikTok that will make me smile and laugh are library accounts.
@pimacountylibrary Another day another slay (idea from airportcgn!) #materialgworl #dancingshrek #socialmediamanager #library #librarytok #librarian #librarytiktok #shrek #shrekinthesky ♬ original sound – edsheeransgingerpub3s ??
@harriscountypl Showing LT the love it deserves ?♥️ #szabigboys #bigbooks #thickbook #librarytok ♬ big boy sza – katelin
@chesterfieldlibrary It feels like it came out yesterday #chesterfieldnh#library#booktok#librarian#books#bookworm#newhampshire#librarytiktok#nhlibrary#fyp#foryou#publiclibrary#chesterfieldlibrary#librarytok#nhlibrary#fyp#foryou#publiclibrary#chesterfieldlibrary#librarytok#book#librarylife ♬ This looks ancient – Luz…noceda
There are several awesome LibraryTok accounts representing minor and major municipalities. (Some libraries are county/parish-run and not city-run.) I’m proud to say one of my libraries, The Harris County Public Library (HCPL), is a top-tier poster. I have never before felt so seen and SHAMED as seeing these two TikToks—one from the HCPL system and one from the Watsonville Library in California.
@harriscountypl Just a liiiiiiiiiiiitle bit confused here #CapCut #librarytiktok #librarytiktoks #yousureaboutthat #damagedbooks #librariansbelike #librarypatrons #librarybooks #librarytok #librariantok #libraryproblems #libraryproblem ♬ You Sure About That _ ITYSL – Scott Holford
@watsonvillelibrary The library is a great place for bookworms, book dragons and all types of readers. La biblioteca es un gran lugar para ratones de la biblioteca, dragones de libros y todo tipo de lectores. #librarytok #booktok #watsonvillelibrary #watsonville #librariansoftiktok #bookworms #booknerd ♬ original sound – Rachel Skye
LibraryTok as a resource
In the early days of BookTok, many booksellers began TikToks, including large chains like Barnes & Noble. Those are great, but the library videos are always better because they aren’t selling us anything. They’re asking that you come to use the resources that are already paid for! The only “catch” is you need to live in the area and sometimes an age requirement for certain amenities.
I’ve seen TikToks that feature resources I didn’t know I had access to in my library until AFTER learning about it from another library’s TikTok (and then looking into it). I say this as someone who writes about libraries and is an officer at my libraries’ Friend group. Additionally, I’ve encountered things on LibraryTok that my library doesn’t have, and I think about how that would look in my community. I’m not just talking about book recommendations that prompt a request to be added to the collection. I’m talking about things that expand our imagination about what I library can do and how it can serve the community, especially at a time when digital resources are so convenient.
@milwaukeepubliclibrary Good grief! Whaddaya mean you’re not taking advantage of library resources? #SnoopyEdit #SnoopyEdits #Snoopy #SnoopyDog #Peanuts #CharlieBrown #PeanutsGang #ForYouPage #fyp #fypシ゚viral #fypシ #fyp ♬ sonido original – ???
@bklynlibrary Everyone’s got to start somewhere. Kick off your music career or your first podcast at our Teen Tech Center!??? #beginnerpodcaster #teenpodcast #teenmusician #nycteens #brooklynteens #booktok #librarytok #bookrecommendations #librariansoftiktok #foryoupage #nyc #brooklyn #nyclife #booklovers #brooklylife #librarylife #bookrecs #readers ♬ original sound – Coach
@greenvillelibteens #artinstallation #librarytok #library #art ♬ Agape – Nicholas Britell
It’s not all serious or programs based. These accounts will engage with trends and bring out their mascots. (Yeah a LOT of libraries over a certain age will have mascots.) When James Patterson (falsely) lamented that it’s rough out there for white male authors. LibraryTok, for the most part, didn’t directly engage with his statements, instead, they seized the moment by showing the shelves—and sometimes entire bookcases—full of Patterson titles. In one of my favorite reactions, this library took a unique approach:
@kitchenerlibrary Reply to @jme2212 Ask and you shall receive. #BookTok #KPL #LibraryTok #FYP #ForYouPage #KWAwesome #JamesPatterson #dominos ♬ Non-Stop – Leslie Odom Jr. & Lin-Manuel Miranda & Renée Elise Goldsberry & Phillipa Soo & Christopher Jackson & Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton
It’s not all memes and resources. They tackle library tropes, myths, and legends. (Including ghosts in the basement.) It’s rare outside of Banned Book Week, but many libraries also share information on how to help with book bans and censorship.
The Best Library TikTok Account
@milwaukeepubliclibrary #fyp #bookdrop ♬ original sound – Freddychase
While I have a lot of Texas hometown pride, I must admit that the best library account is held by the yankees. That’s the Milwaukee Public Library (MPL), which consists of a central branch and 13 other branches. They’re so beloved on the app that many consider MPL the blueprint. However, the account only began in the summer of 2022. Their inaugural TikTok featured a librarian finishing up a book display and then hiding behind a life-size cut-out of reading icon LeVar Burton as they proudly watch patrons picking up a book from said display.
@milwaukeepubliclibrary Okay people without library cards aren’t *that* bad but a library card is a symbol that you are invested in supporting essential resources in your community.Having a library card not only unlocks access to free classes, book, ebooks, digital audiobooks and databases but it also helps support the library itself! The best way to make sure libraries continue to thrive for a long time is to use them. Be a library ambassador and tell your friends and family some of the resources the library has to offer.mpl.org/librarycard#Milwaukee #MilwaukeeSummer #Library #PublicLibrary #LibraryCard #LibraryLaughs #LibraryTok #LibraryTikTok #MilwaukeePublicLibrary #Mitski #MitskiMemes #Nobody #LibrariesOfTikTok #fyp ♬ оригинальный звук – ex5stay
@milwaukeepubliclibrary Try one or try them all #AEHolidayCard #LetsGo #IntuitTouchdownDance #LibraryTok #LibraryToks #LibraryTikTok #LibrariesForAll #LibrariesRock #BeautifulLibraries #BlackFriday #BlackFridayDeals #fypシ #fyp ♬ LETS GO – LevitatingOnTheMoonWithDulaPee
@milwaukeepubliclibrary Can you stop putting yourself in peril, please? You are stressing me out. #MainCharacterEnergy #MainCharacter #Reading #BookTok #fypシ #fyp #WeatherReporter #DontTakeUnnecessaryJourneys #Storm #WeatherReport ♬ IrelandOfThePast Dont Make Unnecessary Journeys – Ireland of the Past
The MPL TikTok is a source of pride to many Milwaukeeans and has caught national attention from Today to The Wall Street Journal.
Their account is even being studied. The LGBTQ+ business news site, Queerency, gave a technical breakdown of why we love this account so much. The MPL TikTok also engage with users, whether or not their patrons. Anyone can be an advocate for libraries, and stirring interest helps all libraries!
@milwaukeepubliclibrary Replying to @qarabinnemsi ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Would poop here again. Didn’t even have to buy anything. #BathroomTok #BathroomToks #Saweetie #SaweetieChallenge #LetsGo #fypシ #fyp ♬ LETS GO – LevitatingOnTheMoonWithDulaPee
The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen isn’t manga, but I appreciate this banger nonetheless. It also reminds me of former The Mary Sue Fandom Editor Briana Lawernce (who now writes at Crunchyroll!) Whatever verison of TikTok is kicking near the end of the century, she will be making a TikTok like this.
@milwaukeepubliclibrary When you’re around I got arrhythmia (literally). I’m on multiple medications for it. #Girlfriend #HemlockeSprings #OldPeople #Elderly #Manga #Comics #Anime #fyp #FlippingOff #Birdie #MiddleFinger #FlipTheBird ♬ girlfriend – Hemlocke Springs
Just because they run a library account doesn’t mean they don’t throw shade when necessary though.
@milwaukeepubliclibrary Memes are how eye roll. All our love to @edysilva114oficial #ShopLocal #SupportSmallBusiness #LibraryLover #LibraryTok #PublicLibrary #Flop #FlopTok #BookTok #Milwaukee #ShopSmall #GenshinImpact34 #fypシ #fyp ♬ som original – ✨ Edenilson_Edy ✨
Unfortunately, as TikTok is slowly banned across the nation (even though it’s semi-unenforceable), these joyful moments and a great marketing source are at risk. Members of the Milwaukee Common Council want to ban the app from city-owned phones and computers. This could happen as soon as May 31. MPL deputy director Jennifer Meyer-Stearns told Urban Milwaukee that the library is working on a legal backup plan to continue to use the app if the ban goes through. Although for different reasons, in the recent past social media like Twitter and Facebook were banned in many libraries, including the MPL. So, who knows what could happen.
(featured image: screencaps/collage)
