Library wins award for Twitter account | Press Releases

Image: H Battaglia From valuable academic resources to what's new in popular reading to campus photographs from 50 years ago, the Fairfield University DiMenna-Nyselius Library's tweets have something for everyone.

It's no surprise then that the Connecticut Library Association (CLA) has honored the library with a 2014 Publicity Award for its Twitter efforts.

Hayley Battaglia, library assistant, is the primary crafter of the tweets, with guidance from Jacalyn Kremer, outreach librarian. The two main goals of the student-centric, always engaging Twitter account (https://twitter.com/FairfieldULib) are first, to create awareness of library services and materials, and second, to invite conversation with the Fairfield University community on library and higher education matters.

On that note, tweets have touted a '24/7 chat service' for patrons, news of the library's fun events, free coffee for study-weary students, must reads such as '10% Happier,' and hot acquisitions like 'Game of Thrones: Season Four.' An abundance of photos are hallmarks of the account - from a shot of the McAuliffe Chapel circa 1966 from the Library's Fairfield University History Online, to therapy dogs Belle and Beau's recent visit during finals. And a Twitter account wouldn't be complete without plenty of 'selfies,' and the library obliged with its recent 'DNLshelfie' contest.

DiMenna-Nyselius Library uses social media platforms, including Facebook, Pinterest, blogs, and Instagram, to communicate effectively using channels favored by the Fairfield University community. Its social media presence serves to publicize library services, materials, and events and creates means for users to provide feedback and seek assistance.

The CLA Publicity Committee sponsors the annual awards contest. A panel of two or more designers/artists and a representative from the library field choose the winning entries.

Image: Hayley Battaglia, library assistant at the Fairfield University DiMenna-Nyselius Library, accepted an award recognizing the library's Twitter account at the Connecticut Library Association Awards Reception in Cromwell.