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@Bibliothecaris@social.edu.nl

Post #2465986

2026-05-12 08:37 UTC

To stay connected and be visible in #student life we are (still) on #instagram. But the longer we stay, the harder it becomes to defend that choice. It clashes with what we stand for as a #library: trustworthy information, #OpenScience, #DigitalAutonomy & student wellbeing. We want to explore alternatives and open up the conversation about what responsible (online) #communication with students could and should look like. Read our story and share your thoughts: https://www.rug.nl/library/open-access/blog/a-university-library-on-instagram-we-want-to-leave-but-then-what

Replies (19)

  • @sandradejong@mastodon.nl 2026-05-12 08:45

    @Bibliothecaris@social.edu.nl Dat jullie de vraag hardop stellen, is in elk geval al heel goed. Keuzes zijn helaas niet altijd simpel en eenduidig en dat jullie zo bewust kiezen en dat keuzeproces actief delen, vind ik super.

    Open ##2794235

  • @smallcircles@social.coop 2026-05-12 08:45

    @Bibliothecaris@social.edu.nl It is wonderful you are active on the #fediverse and are pondering these questions. Going #POSSE is already a huge step in the right direction. https://indieweb.org/POSSE PS. The share buttons under the article to either Facebook or LinkedIn stood out to me, given the subject matter :)

    Open ##2794249

  • @Bibliothecaris@social.edu.nl Wij lopen tegen veel van dezelfde vraagstukken aan. Ik denk graag mee en hoor ook graag als jullie goede alternatieven vinden! ^SV

    Open ##2794255

  • @clickhere@mastodon.ie 2026-05-12 11:40

    @Bibliothecaris@social.edu.nl Is it possible to transition to spaces like Pixelfed and Loops? Perhaps a trial-run could establish whether it's feasible. #Pixelfed #Loops

    Open ##2794256

  • @proscience@toot.community 2026-05-12 11:41

    @Bibliothecaris@social.edu.nl Why not use Pixelfed?

    Open ##2794261

  • @la_rosa@todon.eu 2026-05-12 11:52

    @Bibliothecaris@social.edu.nl This writing is so thoughtful! I think it's great you're starting these conversations. A lot has been written about 'switching costs' and 'network effects' for why users stay on exploitive playforms like Instagram. With that in mind the key question is *how can we influence status quo change to healthier digital spaces?* For me, and any org like UGL, I believe irl advocacy is an effective method for advocating online status quo habit change e.g. - bulletin board type displays, workshops, presence at campus fairs, zine distribution, a fediverse student club...the slow, patient process of growing change from a tiny sprout to eventually bearing fruit. I agree that the fediverse is still in a 'raising awareness it even exists' stage for most potential users. I also believe framing the switch as potentially gradual, I.e. students creating low stakes 'escape hatch' exploratory fediverse accounts, is an approach worth promoting.

    Open ##2794262

  • @gusseting@mastodon.social 2026-05-12 12:12

    @jessamyn@glammr.us saw this + thought of you...

    Open ##2794263

  • @coba@gruene.social 2026-05-12 12:12

    @Bibliothecaris@social.edu.nl this is a very good read and a lot of valuable questions. will the students follow where you go? will you have to follow them when they leave instagram? have you looked into Bookwyrm? https://joinbookwyrm.com which is a fediverse service for sharing reading lists and books. maybe by providing more connection through the topic of reading, you could provide another value that instagram doesnt have?

    Open ##2794264

  • @JoBlakely@mastodon.social 2026-05-12 12:14

    @Bibliothecaris@social.edu.nl why not build the pixelfed account alongside and direct people to the fediverse that holds more content. Give the bare minimum on instagram. With pixelfed you don’t need an account, or an app to view posts, which makes it more accessible. I think using instagram to educate people on this & why it’s necessary is going to be part of it. I think all governments and institutions should be running their own instances. Esp. Educational—It’s an opportunity for student collaboration.

    Open ##2794265

  • @aurochs@todon.eu 2026-05-12 12:17

    @Bibliothecaris@social.edu.nl Keeping the door open for your students is important. I also admire that you are using the fediverse.

    Open ##2794266

  • @dongensis@mastodon.social 2026-05-12 12:22

    @Bibliothecaris@social.edu.nl How about staying on Instagram but deleting all your content there and leaving just one post saying you can be found on Pixelfed instead (and why), so leading by example?

    Open ##2794267

  • @akamran@indieweb.social 2026-05-12 12:29

    @Bibliothecaris@social.edu.nl two thoughts on reading: are students able to have accounts on your servers? (Do they know that? What kind of IRL publicity do you have?) And do students have a voice in moderation or is it handed down to them? They should be involved. That's a learning experience if ever there was one! You can take the idea to the student government - get them on board and it will percolate outward.

    Open ##2794268

  • @Bibliothecaris@social.edu.nl from talking to my students a lot of them want to leave meta but feel the need to stay for the same reason you do. I think it’s important to have the leaving conversation ON instagram. Start posting about it and having the conversation there and you’ll likely encourage more people to make the leap as well. Leaving is easier when you’re leaving as a community.

    Open ##2794272

  • @BjornW@mastodon.social 2026-05-12 12:40

    @Bibliothecaris@social.edu.nl compliments on the well written, honest article opening a much needed conversation that more organisations should have with their "stakeholders". Thank you for doing this!

    Open ##2794274

  • @Bibliothecaris@social.edu.nl You might imagine that the sheer physical presence of the library in their vicinity would be enough. But many have greatly reduced environmental awareness because of the bloody phone epidemic.

    Open ##2794275

  • @cauZation@mastodon.social 2026-05-12 13:27

    @Bibliothecaris@social.edu.nl There are more #sustainable ecosystems than what the #TechBros have far more control of. Look toward #recruiting #talent in climates that are gauged to survive #ClimateCrisis, like the #GlobalSouth.

    Open ##2794276

  • @samueljohnson@mstdn.social 2026-05-12 14:15

    @Bibliothecaris@social.edu.nl 👏 A fine example to librarians everywhere. I hope to read a follow-up post later but already it seems you've had some useful engagement.

    Open ##2794277

  • @soapdisch@mastodon.art 2026-05-12 18:46

    @Bibliothecaris@social.edu.nl Feel free to give out copies of this zine if you think it might catch someone’s eye :) https://soapdisch.com/fediverse-zine/

    Open ##2794278

  • @markwyner@mas.to 2026-05-12 22:14

    @Bibliothecaris@social.edu.nl so happy to see you here, to be sure. Hopefully you’ll fully detach from all of Meta.

    Open ##2794279