Upcoming Session

How Social Media is Used as an Information Discovery Tool

Wednesday, October 1, 2025
2pm Eastern (11am Pacific | 12pm Mountain | 1pm Central)
Register:  https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Rgov6xCpTIW9uyD9tIAZww

Description:

Social media has transformed from spaces that simply connect and build communities online; to a means for keeping in touch with the day-to-day lives of friends, family, and peers; to now, being a platform where anyone can make a living, go viral, and discover information. Social media has become the preferred search engine of younger generations, enabling people to find answers to their questions and satisfy their curiosity online. This presentation will explore how people are engaging with Instagram and TikTok, not only as spaces to connect and build communities but also as an information discovery tool. Through the lens of real information discovery queries and diverse content examples, attendees will learn the importance of social media for librarianship and how showing up in these spaces with thoughtfully produced content can help libraries thrive.

About the Presenter:

Beatrice (Bea) Downey (she/her) is an early career librarian at NC State University Libraries. In her role as User Experience Librarian she specializes in content strategy, user research, and assessment. She was previously a 2022-25 NC State University Libraries Fellow and a 2020-22 Research & UX Intern at Southern Methodist University. She is a 2021 Spectrum Scholar and serves as ACRL’s Residency Interest Group’s Outgoing Convener. Beatrice holds a Masters in Library Science from Texas Woman’s University and Bachelor of Arts in political science from Christopher Newport University.

1. Go to registration page: 

   https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Rgov6xCpTIW9uyD9tIAZww

2. Complete and submit the form.
3. A URL for the event will be emailed to you immediately after registration.