From the horse’s mouth: BookTok as a collection development strategy in academic libraries

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) advancements have reimagined library book acquisitions, where platforms such as social media can be incorporated and embraced by libraries expanding their collections to meet the changing needs of their users. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine using a platform such as TikTok for both personal and professional purposes, especially for collection development. Despite this, the platform for short videos has been increasingly popular in various contexts. Several academic libraries have implemented this platform to improve their visibility and increase user interaction. I have witnessed innovative challenges librarians embarked on to reach larger audiences, particularly during the COVID-19 lockdown period, which increased use and popularity of TikTok for leisure purposes and advocacy of virtual library services and resources and reading to keep users engaged.