How New Jersey Libraries Can Turn Archives into Engaging Posts

Local History Content That Performs on Social Media

By Julia Giantomasi

Published July 21st, 2026

Coming off the heels of a very historical celebration for our country and our state, it feels important to point out that one of the greatest marketing assets your library already owns is your local history collection. People are yearning for community and connection, and what brings people together more than the stories of our past?

Whether your library has a collection of historic photographs, newspaper archives, postcards, maps, yearbooks, oral histories, or unique community artifacts, these items contain stories people can’t find anywhere else. And sharing this local history content performs well on social media because it emphasizes the nostalgia and hometown pride that everyone feels.

Make it a Series

Local history posts work well as a reoccurring series. By using tags like Throwback Thursday, Fast Fact Friday, and From the Archives, you’ll create a feature that your followers recognize and look forward to. You can even spotlight events that happened during the same time years ago and call it “This Month or This Day in History.” Anything catchy will create excitement in addition to making content planning much easier!

Here are some content ideas to transform your library’s historical collection into posts that get people talking:

1. Create “Then and Now” Posts

It’s always fun to look back and remember what used to be! Making it easier to spot the difference by showing side by side comparisons of a place will always create engagement among followers.  Everyone is nostalgic for the good ‘ole days, but maybe there’s a spot in your town that has become even better over the years. Find an old photograph from your collection and pair it with a current photo taken at the same location. If you don’t have a current photo, try using Google Maps street view, or go out and take a snapshot if it’s local! It could be your own library building, main street, a local school, park, or a favorite spot in town.

Ask followers:

• Which version do you remember?
• What’s your favorite memory of this place?
• What has changed the most?

2. Share “Did You Know?” Facts

Bite-sized facts are perfect for social media. Try to dig up lesser-known facts or quirky stories that people have never heard before. Keep captions short and direct followers to a landing page with the full collection or more information. Create a graphic with the fact on it, or utilize a photo from the archives as a visual component.

Examples:

• Did you know a U.S. president once visited your town?
• Did you know your library was once located somewhere else?
• Did you know your county hosted Revolutionary War troops?
• Did you know your town once had a trolley line?

3. Connect History to Current Events

The easiest way to discover old stories and artifacts is by tying them to our current celebrations. This is proven through all the ways organizations have celebrated the 250^th anniversary of our nation’s founding with a look back at the stories that made us the country that we are today. The NJ State Library created a digital and physical exhibit full of lesser-known stories, facts, and content from the archives to paint a picture of what each constitutional era in New Jersey looked like. Use the Fourth of July as an excuse to post Revolutionary Era content every year, and not just for big numerical celebrations. There’s always a way to connect history to the familiar holidays we observe today.

Examples:

• National Library Week: Show early photographs of your library
• Juneteenth: highlight local stories related to emancipation
• Veterans Day: feature photographs or letters from local service members

4. Turn Old Newspapers into New Content

Historic newspapers are full of fascinating stories that often get forgotten in a totally digital world. Sharing even a short clipping can be a conversation starter because it stands out in a sea of monotonous scrolling.

Examples:

• Strange headlines
• Local sports victories
• Interesting advertisements
• Weather events

5. Feature Hidden Treasures

If your library is lucky enough to have special items in your local history collection, these deserve extra attention. People love seeing artifacts they wouldn’t normally encounter, and it often inspires them to share their own personal stories in the comments. Share the significance of these rare pieces and don’t be afraid to take a video if it will better capture the details or the story.

Examples:

• Handwritten letters
• Diaries
• Maps
• Scrapbooks
• Event programs
• Tickets
• Posters
• Business records

Every town has a story to tell. Whether it’s Revolutionary War connections, immigrant communities, industrial innovation, local businesses, schools, or neighborhood traditions, your library is uniquely positioned to preserve and share these stories. Bring these interesting stories into your social media feeds! Using the content ideas we suggested, you can share the collections you already have curated in a fresh way that fosters connection even beyond your community.