Twittering in Health Sciences Libraries

Abstract

Twitter is a free social networking and microblogging utility that allows users to post brief (140 characters or fewer) status updates to other Twitter users. This article provides an overview of Twitter, discusses third-party applications that enhance the use of Twitter on a mobile device, and looks at libraries and medical schools with Twitter accounts. Suggestions on how Twitter can be used in health sciences libraries and how to get started using Twitter are also provided.

KEYWORDS:

• Microblogging
• mobile devices
• SMS
• social networks
• text messaging
• Twitter

Notes

Comments and suggestions should be sent to the Column Editor: Colleen Cuddy ([email protected]).