Engaging users through social media: A systematic review of academic library practices in higher education

Abstract

Background: This systematic review explores how social media is being harnessed by academic libraries in higher education to strengthen communication, expand outreach and enrich user engagement.
Objectives: Guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, peer-reviewed studies published between 2010–2025 were identified through searches in Scopus, Web of Science, Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), Academic Search Ultimate and Google Scholar.
Method: Twenty eligible studies were examined using the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) strategy to frame inclusion criteria and assess outcomes.
Results: The review finds that social media platforms are increasingly applied to promote resources, enable real-time interaction and foster collaborative learning environments.
Conclusion: Nonetheless, barriers such as uneven adoption, insufficient staff training, and institutional policy gaps constrain consistent implementation. The synthesis identifies successful approaches, including targeted platform selection, development of interactive content and cross-departmental collaboration.
Contribution: The study offers useful insights for library professionals and policymakers looking to optimise the advantages of social media integration while addressing obstacles in higher education contexts by compiling global evidence.