SWOT Analysis

As I had posted earlier, some libraries tend to deny users access to post on the library's social media sites for fear of lack of control. I was curious to know as why this is so with libraries. I stumbled across an SWOT analysis of social media in libraries by Joe Fernandez (2009). A SWOT analysis is usually utilized by the business world, but Fernandez created this analysis to understand the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of social media in libraries. Libraries do find social media as a free and easy way to "contribute their own ideas about services and resources" to users (p.36). Administrators do have some control over what content they can share. Some of the weaknesses that libraries have for social media are that some social media applications like Flickr and Twitter limits what libraries can post and it also opens libraries to criticism. There are plenty of opportunities that libraries can have with social media. It attracts new users and help libraries market their services (p. 37). 

Fernandez goes on to point out some threats that may occur when libraries use social media. One of the potential threats was that social media sites are sometime beyond the control of the librarian who manages the site. These threats may come in form of pranksters or hackers hijacking control and compromising the library's own website. Even the changing of web design will hinder the library in connecting with their users. It is important to keep all social media applications current and relevant in order to keep users following. Libraries must continue to improve their relationship with users so that they may be more productive citizens as well. 

Fernandez, J. (2009). A SWOT analysis for social media in libraries. Online, 33(5), 35-37.

Goodrich, R. (2015). SWOT Analysis: Examples, Templates & Definition. Business News Daily. Retrieved from http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4245-swot-analysis.html

Pestleanalysis.com. SWOT analysis [Google image]. Retrieved from http://pestleanalysis.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/what-is-swot-analysis.jpg