When I first thought MySpace and Facebook, I could not see how libraries could use these networks to reach out to the community. Farkas emphasizes that most libraries do not represent themselves very well on these networks and that it is important to have a goal and provide a real use to their patrons. By just providing a profile of a library does not make it more visible and useful. There has to be a reason that someone on these sites will search for a library and or post a comment to the comment box or wall. By networking with these sites, the libraries are reaching out to a specific segment of the population who frequent these locations, namely teens and young people. It is logical that any outreach to these groups from libraries will be designed to attract their attention and this is apparent in sites such as the Morrisville College Library, the Hennepin County Library and the Denver Public Library sites. These sites are very busy, colourful, full of photos, graphics, (some animated) links, book covers, dialogue between users and YouTube videos. Personally I would find these sites just a little too busy and challenging to navigate..probably because I am not a teen or even close!
Farkas comments that many libraries are using blogs on MySpace as a one way communication tool and not utilising the comments and wall area effectively. However, the Ann Arbor District Library is encouraging feedback from their patrons who wish to comment as is Crosset Library at Bennington College who is asking for patron input on materials to buy for the library and is keeping the patrons aware of their buying timeline.
Robert Lackie is concerned about dismissing the stereotypical librarian and increasing the campus visibility by using social networking tools and letting students know what the library is really all about. However unless he has a goal, this appears to be just what Farkas was talking about above.
Helen Bowers in her article on MySpace dismissed something in passing which I found interesting. She said that we should not create public profile spaces for library patrons on the web, or use the information to let them hook up with other patrons who's circulation history points to common reading interests. Surely this has potential. There is probably a way around this in that patrons could make contact with other patrons and share reading lists of favorite authors, titles or topics. There may network groups on Facebook who have, for example, 'mystery books' or 'Greek architecture' as a commonality. If not, then there is potential for such a group to form.
It seems that as users of these sites, we are continually looking for ways to communicate, learn and and be aware of everything that interests us and can involve us more and more in staying current. I would hope that some of this interaction will result in real human type face to face interaction as otherwise we will lose the ability to communicate and form real time (not cyber space) relationships.
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Hi Jane,
Before studying online social networks this week I felt that same way as you. I could not really grasp how libraries used these networks to reach their patrons. Even after completing the readings it wasn't totally clear to me. What really helped solidify the concept was the MySpace & Teens – Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki. I went though a number of the library MySpace profiles oriented towards teen patrons listed in the wiki and became familiar with just how libraries are using these sites and the services that they are offering through them. Upon exploring some of the MySpace profiles, I realized how useful these online social networks can be!
Alexandra
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