
The ubiquity of social media in most people’s lives is evident. No matter what your level of engagement with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any of the other myriad platforms for you to connect with others in the digital realm, you can see the impact this type of communication has had on our everyday lives. People are checking their phones, using their tablets, and silently communicating with one another constantly. It may seem passive, a way to pass the time or casually glimpse into the lives of others, but the truth is that social media is a huge part of most people’s day-to-day life. While it may seem like a novel space for everyone and their mother to share the events in their life (interesting and banal), it can be used to engage with people and share what is going on inside and behind-the-scenes at the museum. It may even attract new visitors! Museums have always been—or at least thought of themselves as such—places for contemplative thought and meaningful learning, but they can also engage visitors this new way. The reach of social media extends far beyond the museum’s walls, so it must be worthwhile, right?