Libraries can support higher education communicators and media relations in several ways: 1. Librarians can provide social media content support through curating archives, events calendars, and research stories. 2. Libraries offer inspiring campus spaces for photos and tours that can be shared on social media. 3. Librarians are experts in finding and highlighting important research stories and can provide media alerts on new findings. 4. Special collections and archives staff are knowledgeable about historical materials and can assist media with interviews and stories.

1. Beyond books: how the library can support
higher ed communicators

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Jesse Carliner - @jessecarliner
Communications & User Services Librarian
University of Toronto Libraries
Raquel Russell - @raqlionchaser
Communications Assistant
University of Toronto Scarborough Library

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4. What we have to offer
- Social media content support
- Inspiring campus spaces
- Finding research stories
- Media relations support
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5. Social media
content support
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6. #TBT & Archives
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7. #TBT & Archives
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8. #TBT & Archives
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9. Content calendar events
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10. Content calendar events
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Librarians provide expert exam preparation tips.

11. Content calendar events
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Libraries offer great spaces for campus #TourTuesdays.

12. The Library:
Home to unique
campus spaces
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13. Work spaces
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14. Inspiring spaces
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15. Finding research
stories
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16. Research alerts for science
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17. Research alerts for social sciences and humanities
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18. Student research
18Photo: Johnny Guatto

19. Student research
19Photo: Perry King

20. Media relations support4
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21. Special collections
21Image credit: Fisher Library
Diary of Owen Stanley while on the HMS Terror

22. Media experts
22Fisher Library Rare Book Librarian PJ Carefoote interviewed about the Owen Stanley diary

23. Media experts
23Fake news guide created by librarians Eveline Houtman (left) Heather Buchansky (right)

24. Media experts
24Librarian Heather Buchanksy (right) interviewed about fake news

25. Tips for working with library staff
Find the right person
Look for staff with
communications, outreach, or
engagement in their title. Or go
to the director or manager who
can refer you.
No food or beverages
No beverages or pens around
the rare books, archival material,
or other special collections.
Don’t even think about it.
Gravitas
Rare book librarians and
conservators take the books
very seriously. For example,
don’t ever call very small books
“tiny books”. They are miniature
books.
Be patient yet persistent
Library staff in general move at a
slower pace than
communications folks.
Be prepared to coach
No one gets into library work to
be in the media spotlight.
Provide media training if
possible.
Translate and edit
Librarians will err on the side of
giving you too much information
and are prone to jargon.
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26. Thank you!Jesse Carliner - @jessecarliner
Raquel Russell - @raqlionchaser