SOCIAL MEDIA: THE NEW SHOWCASE FOR PERSONAL LIBRARIES?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18485/bibliotekar.2026.68.1.5Keywords:
book collecting, book collectin, bookstagram, booktube, booktok, social media, classification, personal library, bibliophileAbstract
This paper analyzes the characteristics of social media posts showcasing home libraries – primarily on Instagram – with the aim of highlighting the emergence of a new type of young book collector. These collectors differ from traditional bibliophiles by cultivating their passion for books and reading
within the framework of a consumerist, hyper-networked society. The paper highlights the visual aspects of representing personal reading spaces, which displace the stereotype of the library as a dark and dusty place, alongside the interactions accompanying the posting of images and texts dedicated to one’s own library. Furthermore, it presents research findings from Instagram profiles that feature photographs and short videos of private libraries as intimate spaces. Based on responses from participants – predominantly young females
– the paper points to the dominance of genre fiction and a proprietary attitude toward home libraries, which consequently results in a high level of disinterest in public library collections and services. Finally, the paper warns of the power these social media activities have in standardizing literary tastes and interests, noting the low visibility of other genres and alternative attitudes toward books and reading.
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