Librarian in charge of social media: Volunteering or staffing position?

Abstract

Тhe problems of library services integration into social media are considered. The main activities of the library specialist working in social media are revealed. The opinion is expressed that the library account in social networks has not only a marketing function, but also an educational and service one. The example of applied research "Activities of municipal public libraries in Belgorod region on the grounds" held in 2016, Belgorod state universal scientific library, lists the shortcomings of the mission of the municipal libraries of the region in social networks, among them the lack of system and low frequency, incorrect processing of accounts, poor navigation, insufficient efficiency in answering queries of users and the support of dialogue. It is proved that the insufficient realization of the potential of social networks as a resource for promoting libraries and a platform for full library and information services is due to human resources. It is concluded that the library, the leading representation of the library in social networks, requires an employee at a separate rate for work in social networks.