Minimizing Social Media to Maximize Library Values

***BEFORE YOU REGISTER FOR THIS ON-DEMAND WEBINAR PLEASE REVIEW IMPORTANT REGISTRATION INFORMATION BELOW***

While social media is an unavoidable reality of today's digital landscape, it has inherent conflicts with some of the core values of librarianship—including intellectual freedom and privacy. Indeed, many of the most important aspects of librarianship and public service are at odds with the defining characteristics of social media.

Is it worth reconsidering how we use this tool and examining its real and practical value for libraries, rather than the value attributed to it by Big Tech? Do we put our profession in an ethically compromised place by encouraging patrons to use social media platforms when we can communicate in other ways?

In this on-demand webinar, learn how a medium-sized public library in Montana minimized its social media use while still engaging with its community.

Recorded live on December 10, 2025.

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this on-demand webinar, participants will be able to:

• Recognize that social media and libraries have inherent conflicts in their values, including intellectual freedom and privacy, that are worth thinking deeply about;
• Understand that minimizing social media use by your library can save time, reduce the tension that comes with constantly managing a social media page, and redirect your marketing efforts to ways that might feel more authentic for your library and community; and
• Feel empowered to think outside the box and hopefully reconnect with some of the most important values of librarianship and better communicate them to other librarians as well as the public.

Who Should Attend

This on-demand webinar is intended for public library staff involved in marketing and/or social media management, as well as library directors.

Panelists

Mark Wetherington (he/him) is the director of the Bitterroot Public Library in Hamilton, Montana, and an avid backpacker and outdoor enthusiast. He is a co-author of Backpacking Washington published by Wilderness Press and is a regular contributor to Trails Magazine. Mark began working in libraries in 2006 and received his MLIS from the University of Kentucky in 2012.

Important Registration Information

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Accommodations

This on-demand webinar is closed captioned in English (United States).

If you have a physical or communication need that may affect your access to this on-demand webinar, please contact us at plawebinars@ala.org or 800-545-2433 ext. 5PLA (5752) prior to registering so we can attempt to provide appropriate accommodations.

Tech Requirements

To play this on-demand webinar you should use a browser with native HTML5 support. Please use the most up-to-date version available of Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera, or Edge. A fast Internet connection and computer is recommended.

Contact

This webinar is presented by the Public Library Association (PLA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA).

If you have questions or problems accessing a recording, send a message to plawebinars@ala.org or call 800-545-2433 ext. 5PLA (5752).