University of Michigan Library System.
As a university of 30,000 undergraduates, 17,000 graduate students, 6,000 faculty and 600,000 living alumni, all university representation is extremely important.
Aside from the sheer numbers of the community, the University of Michigan is ranked as the #1 public research institution. With tens of thousands of students and faculty alike researching their unique topics, the use of the Michigan library system comes heavily into play. Its online presence acts as the home-base and outreach method to bring together this large group of Michigan-affiliates.
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Involvement.
Social Media Engagement Ambassador
August 2019 - June 2021
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Projects.
Create graphic content and manage the Instagram, Facebook and Twitter of the U-M library
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Tools.
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Indesign
Procreate
The Products.
U-M Library Facebook
U-M Library Twitter
Goals.
1. Community Events
As an “engagement ambassador”, one of my largest tasks was planning events to promote online. My team of 3 and I planned therapy dogs during finals, free professional headshots, poetry slams, and much more.
2. Create Online Presence
The U-M library system was approved of a Facebook and Twitter. I planned, wrote, and designed posts that followed along with current events and relevant, campus topics.
3. Design Unique Graphics
The University of Michigan’s various social media accounts all promote their own projects through the use of unique yet uniform graphics. This was a challenge to balance.
4. Involve the Community Virtually
Not all University of Michigan affiliates were on campus or willing to attend events. Many of the followers were alumni located around the globe. Our posts had to be mindful of inclusion to all.
5. Withstand Covid-19
The Covid-19 pandemic had, like most universities, caused a pause on in-person learning and the campus experience. Transitioning to a completely virtual agenda, the team had to continue posts and events.
6. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
As a university employee with an online platform, I was required to attend various DEI events, seminars, check-ins, and meetings to ensure posts were inclusive and free of micro-aggressions.
Graphics.
Because the University of Michigan has an established color scheme, logo, and brand, planning posts for this 200 year old organization involved a mix of my own creativity and the tradition of the college.
The most important elements was the inclusion of the logo. This was sometimes a challenge to fit compositionally and the colors didn’t always match aesthetically. However, the addition of this image was usually required.
Below are a few of the promoted graphics to advertise the library and it’s events, created using Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator.
Posts, projects & patterns.
Student of the Week
In this project, I found a student studying in the library each week, asked them about their presence on campus, took a photo with their consent, and posted of their experience.
Goal: increase student engagement and campus connection
Ghost Post
During Halloween season, fellow library employees and I would hide ghost cut outs around the library. We would then post a clue of where they were hidden within the book stacks. If you found a ghost, you won a prize.
Goal: increase presence at the on-campus library
Book Club
During the Covid-19 pandemic, posts had to be inclusive to completely virtual and remote Michigan-affiliates. We recommended stories with a summary and link to the university library’s rental.
Goal: highlight campus resources and promote U-M community while remote
Takeovers
The University of Michigan had numerous student-takeover-run Instgrams. Twice, we took over during the week of events, introduced ourselves, and demonstrated what we do for the library.
Goal: promote events, grow online presence, and connect with the campus
Growth in online presence.
U-M Library Facebook Page
2,100 page likes
2,399 followers
12 check ins
average 4 posts/reposts per week
3,485 followers
average 3 posts/retweets per day