NUL on Pinterest: what are the advantages for libraries?
The National and University Library in Zagreb has joined another social network – Pinterest. Pinterest is currently the fastest growing social network, which has reached 10 million users in a short time and is becoming increasingly popular in Croatia.
Pinterest is a virtual pinboard where users may organize and share content that they find interesting. It is similar to Facebook in that it may be used for posting photographs, statuses, links and all other types of content. However, Pinterest is above all a visually-oriented network, which has attracted most attention primarily through photographs and videos that it contains. All content is categorized in thematic units, recommended or shared through virtual pinboards of individual users. This new social network is increasingly used by more and more companies and institutions for the promotion of their products and services. Among them there is a growing number of libraries.
Libraries use their Pinterest profiles posting photographs and promotional visual material to present library events, new projects and services, announce news in the library profession and the field of information sciences, but also to report about the interesting developments in similar cultural institutions. Pinterest profiles are useful for presenting new publications as well as materials preserved in library archives and collections, such as old photographs, reproductions of rare books, manuscripts, prints and other content. Pinterest users, especially scientists and researchers, may use their pinboards as a valuable research tool, particularly useful in following archival images and documents. Exchanging ideas, gathering around joint projects, increasing the community of booklovers, stimulating creativity and imagination – these are only few of the possibilities offered by Pinterest. Join Pinterest and follow us!
