Utilization of Social Media Platforms among Academic Libraries in Promoting Library Resources and Services in Qatar

In this new era, social media has altered how we communicate, share information, and interact. Regardless of users' location or preferred method of learning regarding in addition using library system and materials, social media has the potential to greatly enhance connections between libraries and information centers and their consumers. Academic libraries, traditionally viewed as knowledge repositories, are increasingly embracing social media platforms to improve their services, stimulate collaboration, and engage with their customers in meaningful ways. Incorporating digital networking to library strategies not only allows for real-time communication but also fosters information literacy, stimulates community engagement, and aids in the dissemination of research. This research aimed to determine the use of social media platforms in promoting library resources and services among academic libraries in Qatar. Specifically, it attempts to respond to the following questions: 1. What is the respondents’ demographic profile in terms of 1.1 Age, 1.2 Gender,1.3 Educational Attainment, and 1.4 Types of Libraries 2. Which social media sites do the respondents used to advertise library services and resources? 3. What is the respondent's level of utilization of social media platforms in promoting library resources and services 4. What is the respondent's level of promoting social media platforms in library resources and services?5. Is there a significant difference in the respondents’ level of utilization of social media when grouped according to profile variables? 6. Is there a significant difference in the respondents’ level of promoting social media when grouped according to profile variables? 7. Is there a significant relationship between the respondents' level of utilization of social media platforms and the promotion of library resources and services? 8. What action plan can be proposed based on the results of the stud The study’s key conclusions are as follows: The age range of the twenty responders was 36-45. They were mostly female, from the school library, and held bachelor’s degrees. Most utilized Facebook as a social media channel to advertise library services and resources. The degree to which the respondents used social media to advertise library resources and services was “very high”. “Very high” was the respondent’s level of promotion of social media platforms in library resources and services. When respondents are categorized by age, gender, educational attainment, and library type, there is no discernible variation in their use of social media platforms. Age, gender, educational attainment, and library type do not significantly affect the respondents' use of social media platforms. There is a significant correlation between the respondents’ level of utilization of social media platforms and the promotion of library resources and services. An action plan was formulated to retain the high utilization of social media platforms in promoting library resources and services. Based on the salient findings of the study, the following conclusions were drawn: The majority of respondents were aged 26-45, female, had a bachelor’s degree and were working in a school library in Qatar. Facebook and Instagram are the most utilized social media platforms in promoting library resources and services in academic libraries in Qatar. Most academic libraries in Qatar highly utilized social media platforms in promoting library resources and services. This suggests that social media plays a crucial role in enhancing library visibility, engagement, and accessibility for patrons. The respondents actively use the social media platform to promote the library resources and services in an academic library in Qatar. This underscores the importance of social media in enhancing library outreach and engagement. Regardless of their background, respondents share a similar perspective on utilizing social media platforms for library resources and services. Regardless of the respondents' profiles, they share similar views on promoting library resources and services through social media platforms. The higher the utilization of social media platforms, the higher the promotion of library resources and services in an academic library in Qatar. The action plan needs to be implemented to retain the high utilization of social media platforms in promoting library resources and services.