Social media happens so fast. I mean, just over a week ago, we were still talking about #ConformityGate (aside: How are y’all doing? You ok? 🧇) and none of us were talking about the cottage. So in between the monthly “Recently in Academic Libraries” posts, I pull together regular updates on what AcadLibs are doing on social. Please enjoy these recent highlights.
Ins/outs 2026
The “Ins and Outs” trend really peaked last year, but I think it has a couple years left in it before it becomes old hat. We did it at my library and so did UC Santa Barbara, University of South Florida, and DeSales.
Another library’s treasure
I love exhibitions about discarded objects: left-behind water bottles, items left in the return bin, and in the case of UNC Library, objects found in library books. The gentle soundtrack and collage aesthetic is perfect for this time of year: cozy and comforting. For libraries that save found objects, this would be an easy post to replicate and one that might find a happy audience among college alumni. (But wait, did that say “send feet pix?”)
BRB, going analog
According to some cultural weathervanes, analog is cool again. As a librarian, older formats never lost their charm for me, but I’m delighted to see younger generations discovering the joys of physical media. Fresno State Library is highlighting its Media Lab with this post, as well as its collections of CDs and LPs. It looks like the students/staff in this carousel had some fun doing the photoshoot as well. Man, I had that Lauryn Hill album and I wore it out.
Here’s your sign
This is a perfect start-of-the-year format for any library. If you’ve only got one library building, find 12 spaces or services to highlight. If you’ve got multiple campus libraries, even better. If you’re not an expert in astrology, consider consulting someone who knows a little more about the culture and practice around it. From Yale Library:
Oh so pretty
Carousels are having a moment. Again. Honestly, it feels like we’ve been coming back to the carousel format repeatedly over the past 2-3 years. Folks just love to swipe through photos. So what better time than the start of the new year to pull together some of your best library pics. This one from the University of South Carolina was my favorite, but see also: University of Cincinnati, Arizona State, UT Arlington, University of Alabama Arlington, Syracuse, Grand Valley State, Dartmouth, Cornell, and Colorado State (with sad music).
And finally…
This is your annual reminder to save all your b-roll this year so you can create recaps like this one from Kansas State University Libraries.
banner image: detail from the “The Cottage of Content, or, The Right Roads and Wrong Ways,” an 1848 board game published in London by William Spooner (source)