Creepbook and YourSpace! Online Social Networking

Once again, this weeks content raises several advantages and disadvantages of online social networking.  The readings point out that online social networks such as facebook and myspace makes contact more available, is 'fun' and often disassociated from school (which is very appealing when sitting in a friday lecture, during summer or for resistant students).  They offer people to join groups of their interest, and at that, are limitless and inclusive.  Of course with the exposure of personal content comes the threat of predators, harrassment and violation of privacy.  Several of this weeks reading debate the idea of online social spaces, especially in schools.  Now, this is where I get a little fuzzy in expressing my thoughts because, well, its certainly a complicated subject.  I feel that today these social networks are progressing.  Facebook offers its members to only show profile to friends (whereas in one reading it says your profile can be seen by anyone with the same school email).  You can also limit your photographs to be seen by certain people and limit profile content.  I think that privacy and security in regards to these network space is developing as we figure out how people are using these sites.  

As a facebook user, I completely see the usefulness in creating profiles of the library.  I do not think that this is an invasion of user privacy if they were to add the library as a friend or group because ultimately it is up to the member to join.  Also, I dont think it is typical for the library as an account holder to go creeping on every friend or member of a group to look at last weekends pics of the kegger on John street.  Rather, it is to serve patrons on different mediums and reach to different audiences. Also, is seeing pictures of a patron drinking or explicitly dressed any different than a patron asking reference questions about teen sexuality or where can I find Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas?  Both situations it is up to the librarian to ensure user privacy and enter situations unbiased.

I think the examples given such as a feedback or request profile shows that the purpose is clear and students and community members are interacting with the library; a relationship is created and this is becoming a familiar, comfortable and pleasurable connection. I remember working at the Trent library and they conducted a survey by the students about the staff and the most common answer was that staff at the library were intimidating.  A facebook account where students can talk about their experiences or what they;d like to see is a great way to problem solve. Not only is a good chance for patrons to speak out, but the librarians can share their perspectives of situations.   Comments that are inappropriate can also be deleted by the account holder, so just in case you get those who really speak their mind inappropriately. 

I think it would be a good idea for libraries to create a facebook group book club; this is useful for those who cannot access the library.  It also unifies e-literacy with ]old fashioned' literacy, which in the end, gets people reading, writing and critically thinking.  A library could also collaborate with locals by creating a myspace page where local music, creative writers, concerts or theatre shows can be advertized and discussed.  This would be a good idea for a small town, like a community event planner.  

i feel like I haven't said much, but I must admit, I have troubles in seeing great harm of social network spaces since I was only introduced to facebook and myspace at university as an adult. I sympathize with the concerns of those who are young, inexperienced and uninformed of the threat of these networks.  This is one way the library can help to educate our youth of the appropriateness of social network spaces.  A library friend or group is a start in showing what types of users and groups are safe and will get members self-monitoring their content.