Instagram: Using instagram to engage students during library orientation

Institution: Walsh University, Brother Edmond Drouin Library; 2890 students (Fall 2015) including undergraduate and graduate students. Private, liberal arts college located in North Canton, Ohio. Campaign Purpose: Bring all freshmen and transfer students into the Brother Edmond Drouin Library for an orientation during a themed “Library Week” and let them explore the library and meet their Personal Librarian via a structured “InstaHunt” using Instagram. Target Demographic: Approximately 438 freshmen and first semester transfer students. Measure of Success: Student engagement with Instagram during library week. Before Library Week, the Walsh Library Instagram account (@walshulibrary) had about 15 followers. By the end of the week, we had approximately 70, an increase of 466%. We were able to maintain this follow-ship throughout the semester. Our Instagram account currently has 113 followers (as of October 2017). Team: Four librarians (Instruction Librarian, Student Engagement Librarian, Public Services Librarian, and Library Director); support from library staff and General Education 100/110 facilitators and instructors.