Week 10: Online Social Networks

This topic is the one I have become the most familiar with, especially over the past few weeks working on the group Facebook project (which all of you should check out!). Personally, out of the networks discussed in this week's readings, I find Facebook to be the most interesting and also have the most options for incorporation into a library.

I think the first impression that many librarians get when they look at the ever expanding network of Facebookers is that they can see it primarily as a way to connect with the younger crowd and possibly bring them back to the library; a way to become hipper, fresher. I can see how it would be useful for librarians to get to attempt to more intimately understand their patrons, or potential patrons, as it is becoming immersed in their culture. For instance, if a library was involved in a book sharing/recommending network, it could gauge the demand of certain books or other materials, and use this to make collections decisions. However, a person posted a comment on our page wall that made me question Facebook's relevance as a library portal, saying: "Obviously people are using YouTube/Facebook and the like and you can have a library presence there but it means nothing unless your clients are thinking to look for you there." I think this rings very true, and makes me question all of the seeming benefits. If people wouldn't even think to use Facebook to search for a library or other organizations at that, then what is the point? Facebook is a powerful tool that reaches many people, and I think that within time, as options are being created for businesses and groups to take advantage of networking rather than simply individual people, it could evolve into a much bigger thing than we imagined. One big reference tool?

Farkas also pointed out that there is a big difference between “being where our patrons are” and “being USEFUL to our patrons where they are,” and described her dislike for the idea of libraries implementing the latest, coolest things for the sake of it. That being said, I think one of the most important things in having a library Facebook profile would be to monitor the traffic (such as new or lost members), activity (are people adding to the discussion posts, are they joining the events?), and feedback (comments regarding the usefulness/uselessness of the site and its features). This way we can ensure that there is interactivity with our patrons, and a purpose being served.