In the midst of COVID-19 and the resulting disruptions to traditional library service and staff/customer connections, TLCPL wanted to continue sharing traditional readers’ advisory/recommendation experiences with customers. We also wanted a substantive link between staff and customers to share materials and ideas from newly formed inclusion, diversity, equity and access work groups. InstaRecs allowed staff to connect directly with customers for these important services.

InstaRec’s success is supported by an accessible and clear process. Submissions can be made by all staff through a digital form that includes tagging EDI content. Submissions automatically enter a project management platform for editing, photography and posting. A system that makes it easy to submit, receive, review and post content ensures that staff see the work quickly published and provides a sustainable pipeline for fresh and engaging content. The workflow also ensures that all content meets quality standards.

• Instagram followers increased by 810 from July 2020 (4,780) to October 2021(5,590).
• “InstaRecs is a powerful way to give voice to people across the entire library and to make inclusion part of our everyday work.”- Erin Baker, Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
• “Recommending books is originally why I became a librarian. I love getting people excited to read and InstaRecs are a creative outlet for me to make books appealing using my words and my photography skills!” -Katie Midgley, Branch Manager, Lagrange.