Week 10, Group Project: Online Social Networks

For our project on online social networks, we decided to create a social networking group called "The 2.0 Librarian" using the Pages function on Facebook. We created a forum for new librarians and library students to share their ideas, experiences, and questions about web 2.0 tools. We chose to focus on this group because we have seen how useful the content of this course has been for us, and how useful it would be to other professionals who are curious about utilising these new tools in libraries.

While we considered using Twitter, MySpace, Flickr, and Second Life, we decided to use Facebook for our project. Each of us actively use Facebook accounts and have already established networks of friends, classmates, family, and colleagues. The popularity of Facebook among our targeted user group of library students and new librarians was also a key consideration. We used our own personal networks to invite people to become "fans" of the Page, which really fit the theme of online social networking - not only did we create a forum for this kind of interaction, we engaged in it ourselves.

We experimented with both a Facebook Group and a Page after seeing examples from other libraries and librarian interest groups using both formats. We decided that the Page offered better functionality and more features in line with how we wanted our page to be used and that our project fit well with how Facebook defines Pages and their uses: "[to] allow local businesses, sports teams, artists, films, bands, public figures, non-profits and other business organizations to have a presence on Facebook" (Facebook Pages Insider's Guide). Pages are still relatively new to Facebook (only launched in November), but they have become quite popular. Unlike a Group, a Facebook Page allows for the addition of applications and tracking of statistics, while still being able to create events which are the key draw for a group. We were also able to communicate with all of our "fans" at the same time using targeted messages. Another major pro for a Page over a Group is that it is accessible on the wider web - a Facebook profile is not required to view the Page (though a profile is needed to become a fan, or comment on any content).

One limitation we encountered was in the applications that could be added to the Page. Facebook limits access to some applications based on a Page's category; this limits the scope of tools we had initially wanted to share (i.e., Twitter, Visual Bookshelf, a del.icio.us tag cloud). Another disadvantage is that, even with applications that can be added to the page, the individual administrator who is adding the application also has to provide access to their information, as if they are adding the application to their personal profile.

The features we chose for our Facebook Page fit with our overall goal to foster discussion of web 2.0 in libraries. We chose to have a variety of applications, featured events, and information sessions targeted at our "fans", as well as informative content to assess interest and inspire conversation. Various applications were used to exemplify the wide range of social software tools that exist on Facebook, and show how they can be used in the library profession. A YouTube Video Box is featured with the aim to inspire other librarians to view YouTube as a viable option within their libraries, whether it may be a library tour/promotional video, showing patrons how to use a resource, or generally explaining to them how other librarians are taking advantage of media sharing communities. The LinkedIn application was used on the Page to encourage librarians to develop a professional network with others in the field, which could potentially be meaningful for MLIS students entering the working world, as well as other librarians looking for a new way to connect with their colleagues. We also decided to include applications that showcase how both syndicated feeds and social bookmarking work, giving our fans an awareness of the latest popular articles, blogs, and websites as well as teaching them to explore these resources themselves.

A series of Virtual Brownbag events was created for anyone interested in a brief introduction to different 2.0 tools and concepts; these events were designed to be easily accessible and provide opportunities for education and discussion. The page for each event features links to informative slideshows, articles, and videos to supplement the session and generate discussion. We also decided to offer a variety of workshops, lunch and learns, and seminars using web 2.0 software to learn about and discuss web 2.0 topics, issues and best practices. We have included a session on how to update library websites using appropriate web 2.0 software and how to make a site more user-friendly. A guided tour and lecture is featured on Second Life introducing virtual world librarianship. As well, there is a seminar series exploring pertinent web 2.0 topics/issues, along with a review of guidelines and best practices in the field. Links and content were added with the intention of pointing our "fans" to other resources - by importing RSS feeds from popular blogs that discuss library 2.0, writing notes about recent articles, and adding the del.icio.us feed, our Page could become a bridge to a wider set of resources across the web - a jumping off point for web 2.0 tools.

We hope you enjoy our Page. Click on The 2.0 Librarian to visit - you can see it without a Facebook account, but will need to log into your profile to make any comments or update any content.

-Solinny, Jaclyn, Maureen, and Aysha