Online Social Networks Case Studies

To start things off I suppose I should mention that I don't have a MySpace or Facebook account and don't intend on getting one in the future (although I was able to access the Facebook case studies this week) simply because I don't see the value in it. There has been no occasion where I thought to myself "geez, I WISH I had a Facebook account because it would be so helpful right now". But who knows, maybe this will change in the future... but it certaintly has not changed after reading this weeks articles. I prefer to do my socializing in the real world (and yes, I'll concede that people who have facebook accounts probably feel the same way) where there are awkward silences, fumbled words and misinterpreted facial expressions. I've seen my friend's Facebook accounts and I don't think I'm missing out on much. I also don't think that there is anything inherently bad about them, or don't think that some people do get value out of social networking (in terms of social capital I suppose).

On that note I don't think that libraries having Facebook accounts have much value either- looking at Hennepin County Library on Facebook and Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County on Facebook the only perk would be that it's another way for patrons who can't find the library website to stumble upon it through sites they are familiar with. But wait- if you are a university student and can't find the library's website because it's not on Facebook maybe there are some more pressing information seeking behaviours that need to be addressed. Anyways, I think that the Southeast MA Library's My Own Cafe had the most potential for a library to use a online social network effectively because it had the most community "feel" to it. It seemed like it had the most content and interactivity.

I think it is difficult for libraries to harness the potential (if any) of online social sites for the simple reason that they are institutions and not people. Bands have been able to use MySpace to showcase their talent and generate a fan base, but can libraries do the same thing? I think that the role of the library in the community is too broad to form the basis of a dedicated virtual community. A "fan" or "friend" of the library is a very general label, and what would that mean? The only way I can see libraries using social networking sites is to provides spaces where like-minded people can share their enthusiasm for *blank* that the library provides information or resources about.  So, what- everything??? Umm.... this weeks a toughie....