Tiktok, which reached the height of its popularity in late 2019 and continued during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, has become one of the most important social media platforms for libraries due, in part, to the explosion of “Booktok”. “Booktok” is a subset of interest on Tiktok where readers, authors, and other bookish individuals can engage in content about popular novels, genres, authors, and anything else associated with the book industry. Users who are on “Booktok” recommend books and can vastly increase readership with young adult and adult audiences. Some of the content can be salacious and controversial. This is due mostly to the viral nature of social media content.
So now we know what booktok is and how it can impact the reading community, where does the library come in? Surely libraries don’t use unauthorized reviews from random social media people to influence their collection practices? Well, yes! And no.
You may have entered your local library and noticed a “Booktok” display. Or you may have seen your local librarian posting about the library’s collection directly on TikTok. Like any organization that services its community, libraries must stay relevant and their collection must include content that interests patrons. Along with professional reviews, librarians can utilize “Booktok” to find resources that are popular with young readers, making the library more accessible. The library has something for everyone! Fluffy romance novels recommended by 20-somethings on social media can stand right next to the likes of Vonnegut or Hemingway. The library is a place for all to come and find something they like! Our JCKL librarians routinely assess our collections to determine resources to support the university’s curriculum and to make sure there are other resources of interest!
Click to access the JCKL Tiktok!
Post contribution by Brea Parnell.
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