Libraries OSN - Case Studies

I liked this one: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's MySpace...and this one: Glendale Public Library's MySpace!

Glendale has that uber-busy, Las Vegas-esque MySpace quality that I find overwhelming, but seems to be norm in MySpace world. However, both do well to provide useful info in the standard, fun, chatty format...Glendale has tons of friends, and Carnegie (while I couldn't find the friend count) quite a few comments. It seems like both have quite a bit of traffic...traffic from actual patrons? I thought so. I think they are get ways to market library services...especially considering the cost is free!

I also really liked the UWO one. It is a great example of how useful it is to share information across of group of people with common interests...this, to me, represents the best of OSN. You can glean information from people in similar situations despite not personally knowing anyone in that environment. I've seen students that are coming to FIMS this fall asking questions about the program and housing on the UWO-FIMS Facebook group. What a great way to get information!!!

Even if libraries find that actually being on networks and attempting to encourage patrons to interact with the libray via networks doesn't work for their user populations, perhaps they can best serve their patrons by helping them search for useful networks and provide links to them...I think this would be of value! Sort of a Reader's Advisory to blogs, groups, and networks:

PATRON: Like, I'm going to Western? In the fall? And I need to find a place to live? Do you have like a map or something?

SAVVY LIBRARIAN: Why yes, of course I have maps and some classified ads, but you could also check out this online group about housing around Western. It will give you the inside scoop about where is good to live...

Hmmm....

Libraries & online social networks: Patrons are there 24/7

As with all of the other social software technology that we have examined, it seems important that libraries are not simply carried on to social networking sites because it's 'cool'. Farkas does well to point out the important difference between "being where our patrons are" and “being USEFUL to our patrons where they are.” If libraries aren't actively participating on and using the tool, then there is no point in being on it at all. I think it would ring false with actual users that are active on the tool: like that parent in high school that used to dress in teen clothes and try to use the "in" slang...

I see a true benefit to libraries actively using the space, and providing helpful links to their services. It is a great communication medium and there are certainly patrons that spend A LOT of time on these networks. I admit (with only the tiniest cringe) that I probably check my Facebook now as often as email. I don't think that I am alone in this trend. We jokingly call it "Crackbook", but it is absolutely addictive to have all of your friends' info at your fingertips...why not the library's?

If nothing else, as Lackie points out, it is valuable to see if there are any groups that have sprung up around your library: places to sleep, librarians that are mean, how to get around the library eating rule, etc. Who knows what is happening in your library and what you could learn about new services you could be offering or rules you maybe should be setting? Ignoring this altoghether as a communications medium seems foolish... I have one friend who signed up for Facebook after friends teased her for trying to set up a get-together over email, telling her that email was so old school! Perhaps we need a check-box on our patron profile that gives their preference for communication: phone, email, or Facebook?

Have you seen the Kings of MySpace video on YouTube? They talk about meeting a girl and how they don't bother with phone numbers any more: "Just get the 3 Dubs" (aka their www MySpace address). It's pretty funny and definitely gives some insight into MySpace culture and about how identities are constructed online...it was in my head for a week after I first heard it but a warning: content may be offensive to some! Look at how many hits this video has (1,875,124 views...and yes there is actually a MySpace profile for DaKingsofMySpace). Wow! As Abram asks, how can we learn from this type of popularity and membership and apply it to library marketing?

I also really liked Schmidt's idea about doing "Making your MySpace Awesome" workshops in the library. Why not show off our info/techie skills to teens and try to connect on that level? It may reinforce our image as a knowledgeable resource because we can show that we aren't just vaguely aware of the existence of MySpace, but actually know what we are talking about.
Aye, there's the rub: we need to know what we are talking about! I think this is an important enough reason to get on these social networking sites, even if we don't actually use them to market the library: we need to know about them because many of our patrons live there! If there is also an opportunity to provide some information about safe usage...all the better.

I do think, regardless of a librarian's decision to get involved in these online networks in a professional capacity, that it is very necessary to be knowledgeable about this new environment!

It won't go away if we ignore it.

MySpace: Tom is my only friend! :(

Well...I plunged into the world of MySpace today. I have been a Facebook user (yes "user", because it did feel like an addiction at first!) for a couple of months now and found it really user-friendly and easy to get started. I had no problems finding people I knew and "friending" them. In fact, I am in awe of how many people I know are on Facebook and how easy it is to find them!

MySpace? No one. Tom (the creator, who is automatically your friend) is my ONLY friend. I am officially a MySpace loser. *Sigh.*

Perhaps it's because less people seem to be using their full names? Perhaps it's because my network of friends has ended up on Facebook because of invites from people already on there (that's how I ended up joining)? Or perhaps my entire network of friends just fits the educated, middle-class Facebook stereotype, as discussed in a recent Globe and Mail article? Am I too old and "mainstream" to be on MySpace? Their description of MySpace as Las Vegas and Facebook as Ikea doesn't seem completely crazy...Facebook does feel more organized, less blazing colour...

So, if you are on MySpace, be my friend: www.myspace.com/jmcint6
Tom is great and all, but....

Hanging out online: Teens & Online Social Networks

I like Boyd's observations about teens being more and more limited in where they can "hang out". This is certainly something to bear in mind. Certainly, groups of teens are unwelcome in almost every physical space: from coffee shops to, yes, libraries, they are often tolerated at best. I am all for MySpace as a teen space, although Facebook seems to have more privacy options...perhaps more than anything, this should be a loud call-out to libraries to create teen spaces in their buildings. Certainly, the coffee shop or mall complaint that "they aren't spending any money" can't be an issue in free environment like the library. Anyway, a bit off topic, but it's food for thought.

Boyd & Jenkins provide a great overview of the issues surrounding DOPA and teen privacy. On the topic of predators on MySpace, I think some of the strongest points they make are these:

"Less than .01% of all youth abductions nationwide are stranger abductions and as far as we know, no stranger abduction has occurred because of social network services. "

" While the report shows that a large percentage of youth are faced with uncomfortable or offensive experiences online, there is no discussion of how many are faced with uncomfortable or offensive experiences at school, in the local shopping mall or through other mediated channels like telephone. Although the media has covered the potential risk extensively, few actual cases have emerged. "

I do question whether Online Social Networks such as MySpace really put teens at any greater risk than going to the mall. In fact, the thought of an online solicitation by a predator scares me a heck of a lot less than an in-person solicitation! In any case, I think that education is a much better tool to battle this issue than censorship.

I don't think that the current cultural and social importance of teen online identities is going to go away any time soon. I think that we should worry less about privacy settings or restricting access to these sites and worry more about ensuring that teens understand that pretty much everything they put on the internet is published and is therefore accessible. It is easy to forget this when you are only looking at your friends' stuff...but really who is looking at yours?

Presentation Link: Online Social Networks

Hi Everyone. Welcome back from a week off!

Here is the link to our presentation on Online Social Networks.

Enjoy! ...and please feel free to leave your comments.

Thanks!