Scott Library Twitter tweets fire alert, evacuates students

Dena Winick
Contributor
York University’s Scott Library, like Steacie Library and York University administration themselves, established a Twitter account Feb. 11, and have since been tweeting up-to-the-minute facts, thefts, operating hours and lost-and-found items.
They can now add fire alerts to that list of tweets.
Librarian Mark Robertson explained two fire alarms were pulled March 3 in Scott Library due to the smell of smoke in the air. Once Toronto Fire Services came to investigate, they found the smell was from smoke coming from the construction site in the Scott basement, which had made its way up via the elevator shafts.
Once the fumes were cleared, Scott Library was back in
business.
Scott reference assistant Klara Maidenberg tweeted constant updates from her phone to keep students informed.
Maidenberg, who answers student tweets directed to
@ScottLibrary along with fellow librarian Peter Duerr, says the Twitter account was created to create “direct communication” with the student body.
“We just want to be helpful,” she said. “ We want direct communication with the student body.”
While the initial goal of the Twitter account was to promote awareness about the library by informing students of new online sources and details of new books, the account – which each and every library staff at Scott may contribute to – has proven to be far more useful.
Notable tweets include updates on malfunctioning printers, workshops, extended hours and answering student queries regarding lost items and poor internet connection,
“Our staff working at Scott Library want students to be instantly aware of what is going on,” said Duerr. “We want to follow our audience, our customers and our clientele to where they are located.”
Follow Scott Library on Twitter at @ScottLibrary or follow Steacie Library at @SteacieLibrary for up-to-date
information.