Generative AI can create social media posts and content for a school or library’s accounts. Pair it with Canva’s content planner feature, which is available for free with an educator’s account, and posts can be scheduled in advance for upcoming commemorative months or events, such as Banned Books Week (September 22–28).

To use the free version of ChatGPT to create social media content for your libraries, follow the steps below. Remember, the techniques discussed can also be applied to other AI platforms such as Claude.AI, Perplexity, and Bard.

1. Identify the targeted grade levels and purpose for a post—to promote a book or event, celebrate a commemorative month, highlight library service, etc.

2. Input a prompt that includes grade level, details about the post’s subject, and the social media platform—e.g. “generate Instagram post”—to produce the correct length response.

3. Review and edit to ensure the post aligns with the school’s tone and policies.

ChatGPT can also suggest or create an image. But beware, there is a high likelihood that words in the images will be misspelled.

Banned Books Week offers a great opportunity to use AI to generate multiple social media posts. Here are example prompts and the ChatGPT response.

“Create a week’s worth of Instagram posts for Banned Books Week and make it for a high school student audience.”

Post 1:  Monday—Introduction to Banned Books Week

Caption: “📚✨Welcome to Banned Books Week! This week, we celebrate the freedom to read and explore books that have faced censorship. Dive into a banned book and discover why it’s so powerful. Which banned book will you pick up first? #BannedBooksWeek #FreedomToRead #ReadBannedBooks”

Image: Stack of popular banned books with a banner reading “Banned Books Week.”

Post 2: Tuesday—Spotlight on “1984” by George Orwell

Caption: “🚫📖 '1984’ by George Orwell is a classic that faced bans due to its political themes. Explore the dystopian world where Big Brother watches everything. Why do you think this book remains relevant today? #BannedBooksWeek #1984 #GeorgeOrwell #DystopianReads”

Image: Cover of “1984” with an illustration of Big Brother watching.

Post 3: Wednesday—Interactive Post: Why Read Banned Books?

Caption: “🌟📚 Why do you think reading banned books is important? 🌟📚 Share your thoughts in the comments below! Let’s start a conversation about the impact of censorship and the value of diverse perspectives in literature. 🎤📚  #BannedBooksWeek #FreedomToRead #StudentVoices”

Image: Photo of students reading in the library with a question overlay: “Why is reading banned books important to you?”

Post 4: Thursday—Highlighting “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas

Caption: “‘The Hate U Give’ by Angie Thomas addresses crucial social issues and has been challenged for its content. This powerful story gives a voice to important conversations. What impact did this book have on you? #BannedBooksWeek #TheHateUGive #AngieThomas #SpeakUp” 🎤📚

Image: Cover of “The Hate U Give” with a background of protest signs.

Post 5: Friday—Banned Book Trivia

Caption: “🤔✨It’s time for Banned Books Trivia! Which famous book about a boy wizard has faced numerous bans and challenges? Comment your answer below and tag a friend who loves trivia! #BannedBooksWeek #BookTrivia #HarryPotter”

Image: Image of a wizard’s hat and glasses with a question mark.

Other post possibilities

For 3rd-5th Grade

Announcing a book club meeting

Prompt: "Write an exciting social media post announcing our next book club meeting for 3rd-5th graders. Mention the book we will discuss, 'Charlotte's Web,' and the fun activities planned."

ChatGPT response: "📚🐷 Next Book Club Meeting for 3rd-5th Graders! 🐷📚 Attention young readers! Get ready for an exciting Book Club Meeting on [Date] at [Time] in the school library! This month, we’ll be diving into the heartwarming classic, 'Charlotte's Web' by E.B. White. 🌟 Here's what's in store: 🌟 Lively Book Discussion - Share your thoughts and favorite moments from 'Charlotte's Web.' 🎨 Creative Activities - Make your own spider webs and character drawings. 🎉 Fun Games - Participate in 'Charlotte's Web' trivia and win cool prizes! Join us for a fun-filled afternoon and let’s celebrate our love for reading together! Can't wait to see you there! 🕸️📖 #BookClub #CharlottesWeb #YoungReaders #LibraryFun #3rdGrade #4thGrade #5thGrade #SchoolLibrary"

For 6th-8th Grade

Promoting a library event

Prompt: "Create an Instagram post inviting 6th-8th graders to our 'Escape the Library' event. Explain the escape room challenge and the prizes for the fastest teams."

ChatGPT Response: Attention 6th-8th Graders! 📚🎉

Ready for an adventure? 🚪🕵️‍♂️ Join us for our epic Escape the Library event! 🗝️🔍

When: [Date & Time]
Where: [Library Name]

Dive into a thrilling escape room challenge right in our library! You and your friends will team up to solve clues, crack codes, and unravel mysteries—all while racing against the clock! 🕰️💡

✨ Prizes ✨ 🏆 1st Place: $50 Gift Card + Escape Room Trophy 🥈 2nd Place: $30 Gift Card 🥉 3rd Place: $20 Gift Card

Don't miss out on the chance to be a library legend! 📖✨ Grab your friends, put on your thinking caps, and get ready for a day of brain-bending fun!

🔗 [Register Link]

#EscapeTheLibrary #LibraryFun #MiddleSchoolMadness #PuzzleMasters

ChatGPT response:"🔓🏃‍♂️ Escape the Library Challenge! 🏃‍♀️🔓 Attention 6th-8th graders! Are you ready for an epic adventure? Join us for our 'Escape the Library' event on [Date] at [Time]! 🔍 What to Expect: Put your problem-solving skills to the test in our thrilling escape room challenge. Work in teams to solve puzzles, uncover clues, and unlock the secrets of the library. Race against the clock to escape before time runs out! 🏆 Prizes Await: The fastest team to escape will win awesome prizes and bragging rights as the ultimate escape champions! Gather your friends, bring your A-game, and prepare for a heart-pounding, mind-bending experience! We can’t wait to see who will rise to the challenge and escape the library! 🚪🔑 #EscapeTheLibrary #MiddleSchoolFun #LibraryChallenge #6thGrade #7thGrade #8thGrade #SchoolLibrary #EscapeRoom"

Elissa Malespina is a school librarian in New Jersey.