What will I learn?
- Learn what MySpace, Facebook and Ning are - how they work and some of the benefits
- Explore some of the libraries around the world who are using these Social Networking tools
Watch this
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Now, what do I have to do?
Social Networking in Libraries
With over 274,000,000 people using social networking sites (2007), libraries should be “going where the users are”! According to OCLC (2006) 89% of College students start an information searchwith a search engine… only 4% start with a library web site or database! 19.1Many libraries worldwide are using social network sites to:
- Speak the language of their patrons
- Showcase their library
- Promote and assess library functions, through surveys and focus groups
- Repackage information
- Promote outreach - extend the support of the library beyond the physical walls
- Educate patrons
Explore some of these library social networking ideas, and note the difference in look and functionality from their usual library web pages:
Hennepin County Public Library (note the embedded catalog search box)
http://www.myspace.com/libraryloftLibraries and Librarians Group on Flickr (Not accessible within the UAE)
http://www.flickr.com/groups/librariesandlibrarians
Popular Online Social Networks
Although Facebook and MySpace dominate the field in the US, Australia, Mexico, and southern Europe, there are other social networking sites that actually have more users internationally than these. Worldwide, Google’s Orkut has the second-greatest number of users, while San Francisco-based Hi5 claims that as of January 2009 they have 60 million active users. Bebo, also based in San Francisco, is the number one social networking site in Ireland and New Zealand, and has overtaken MySpace in the UK. Whereas Friendster, the first social networking site is still alive and well and the most popular site in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, with nearly 30 million users.
People use Facebook to keep up with friends, upload an unlimited number of photos, share links and videos, and learn more about the people they meet.’ Facebook in fact outstrips even photo-sharing site Flickr in users of its photo section. Originally restricted to university and college students, then expanded to include high-schoolers, Facebook membership is now open to everyone, and hosts over 28 million users. Read through the links below to get an idea of what different libraries are doing in Facebook and what librarians are saying about it.
7 things you should know about Facebook Prediction: Facebook will be the largest social network in the world Facebook’s plan to hook up the world
Here are a few examples of library using mySpace to connect with thier users:
One of the most popular of the social networking sites, boasting over 180 million users, MySpace has entered the ranks of cultural phenomena. Alexa Internet, which gauges Web traffic, lists Myspace is the sixth most popular site on the web, beating Wikipedia, Blogger, Ebay and Flickr. Over 150,000 new Myspace profiles are created daily. MySpace allows you to create a personal website featuring information about yourself and your interests and activities. Page designs may be altered—there are countless Web sites offering custom coding aimed at MySpace users—often to chaotic effect. You can browse, search, invite friends to connect and interact, share film reviews, make comments, post mail and blog entries, post classified ads. You can create or join groups for friends with common interests.
Because Myspace is popular among teenagers and young adults, some libraries have used Myspace to connect with their younger patrons. Read through the links below to get an idea of what different libraries are doing in Myspace and what librarians are saying about it.
A list of libraries using MySpace How libraries are using MySpace Sunrise MySpace tips
Here are a few examples of library using mySpace to connect with thier users:
Libraries & Online Social Networks
A number of libraries have started to explore the potential of online social networks to reach their users. Here are a few examples:
- Leddy Library - University of Windsor (Facebook)
- The Urbana Free Library (Facebook)
- Library Youth and Teen Services 2.0 (Ning)
- American Library Association (Ning)
- Gaming Learning and Libraries (Ning)
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