Guidance for staff managing Library X accounts who are considering leaving

Leaving X

As of March 2025 the Library has ceased posting content to X (formerly Twitter). The channel (@UoMLibrary) will remain online for monitoring purposes before being deactivated at a later date.

If you manage a Library account and are interested in leaving the platform, you may wish to follow the steps outlined below:

Consider whether you will leave your account open for a period of time or deactivate it with immediate effect; a deactivated account will permanently delete after 30 days. If the former, consider pinning a final post to your profile advising where your followers can find you as an alternative to X.
Search for any mentions of your X channel in blogs, on the Library website and on other platforms where your users may still encounter them, and ensure they are removed.
If you use scheduling tools such as Hootsuite, ensure any future posts are deleted or moved to another platform, and disconnect your X account.
Consider archiving any key tweets or other content on your channel if you plan to permanently deactivate it; you can download your full account data
Get in touch with close collaborators such as other Faculties or organisations in or external the University to advise that you will no longer be active on X, and advise where they can find you.

Launching a new channel

The Library has taken the decision to launch a new account with Bluesky. There may be another platform you feel is better suited for your channel's particular activities.

You may wish to follow the steps outlined below when setting up a new social media account elsewhere.

Secure a handle consistent with your brand, ideally the same as your other channels.
Customise your profile, ideally mirroring that of your other social channels, including a clear and concise bio.
Consider whether this platform will be used as a direct replacement for X, or whether you will devise a new content strategy (and what assistance you may need).
Update any blogs or other platforms with a link to your new account.
Post an introductory message upon joining, and respond to initial comments, follow other users and re-post to build engagement.
Monitor any analytics that are available to you to track follower growth and engagement in the initial few months.

A note on Bluesky

Please be aware that analytics on this platform are currently extremely limited, and you may only be able to see analytics on how many likes and reposts your post has gained. There is also currently no support for Bluesky in Hootsuite, though this is something which is being progressed.