MySpace and Facebook – Only Two of the Many Social Networking Sites

 

There are numerous social networking sites where you can connect with other librarians, friends, family members, and patrons.  Each site has a purpose and a particular feel and flavor.  One thing all of the sites share is a need for commitment.  You must commit to updating your profile and connecting with others.  Because of this choose carefully when deciding what site to try.  In this lesson we will talk about Facebook in the most detail, but we will talk about some of the other options that are available.

 

What are my options?

 

Facebook – from the Facebook website: “Facebook helps you connect and share with the people in your life.”

 

MySpace – from the MySpace website: “MySpace is an online community that lets you meet your friends' friends.  Create a community on MySpace and you can share photos, journals and interests with your growing network of mutual friends!”

 

LinkedIn – from the LinkedIn website:  “Over 30 million professionals use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas and opportunities.”

 

Ning – from the Ning website:  “Create your own social network for anything.”

 

Webjunction - from the Webjunction website: "where librarians and library staff connect, create, and learn."

 

??????? – this Wikipedia article lists active social networking sites.  As you can see much of what is web 2.0 is considered a social networking site.  Look for sites that say "general" to find ones that are similar to Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn.

 

So which one is right for me?

 

It depends.  (Of course that’s the answer.)   Which site you use is determined by what you want and need from the site.  Here are some questions to consider:

• Do I want to connect with patrons?  If so where are my patrons? (Chances are you will find your patrons either on MySpace or Facebook.)

• Do I want to connect with other Montana librarians? (If so try Facebook where a large number of Montana librarians have gathered.)

• Do I want to connect with other professionals either in the library field or elsewhere?  (LinkedIn, Facebook, Webjunction, or Ning are your best options for this one.)

• Is it important to me that this be all business?  (If so LinkedIn or Webjunction are your best options.)

 

 What is involved in being part of a social networking site?

 

Be prepared to invest some time in creating a profile and updating it.  You can choose how much time you want to invest in your page, but plan on adding things occasionally.   You can use your social networking site to

• reach out to others

• find out what patrons, family, and friends are doing
• create a page for your library  where you can announce upcoming events and news
• join library related groups to discuss issues and trends

• post links to interesting articles and/or library services

• post photo, video and/or music content that you find interesting

• review links and/or other content that others have posted

• stay in touch with family, friends and colleagues

 

 

Where can I learn more?

 

Social Network Service – a Wikipedia article that talks about online communities and their history.

 

Social Networking in Plain English – a video from the Common Craft show that explains the concept of social networking. 

 

Facebook for Grownups - Butterscotch tutorials has a 10 part series on how to do everything from create a profile to upload images.

 

Getting connected with LinkedIn - Butterscotch tutorials also has a 10 part series for LinkedIn

 

 

Assignments

 

1.  Explore one or two of the social networking sites listed above.  Look for ways that people use these sites to connect and share information.  Post your thoughts on Twitter or on your blog.  Please remember to use #mtlib20 at the beginning of your post if you use Twitter.  (You don't have to post to both your blog and Twitter - just the one that is most comfortable for you to use.)

2.  Choose a social networking site and create an account

3.  Create a profile.  You can add as much or as little information as you like.

4.  Make friends.  We are on the following sites if you would like to befriend us. 

Facebook – Lauren McMullen, Maggie Meredith, Suzanne Reymer, and Tracy Cook

MySpace – Tracy Cook

LinkedIn – Maggie Meredith, Suzanne Reymer

5.  Post an update on your social networking site.

6.  Twitter or blog about your experience.  Please remember to use #mtlib20 at the beginning of your post if you use Twitter.  (You don't have to post to both your blog and Twitter - just the one that is most comfortable for you to use.)

 

Bonus for Facebook Users

 

Connect Twitter and Facebook via the applications page in Facebook.  This allows you to use Facebook to update Twitter.  If you use Facebook a lot it can save you time by not requiring you to log into Twitter.

 

1.  Go to http://apps.facebook.com/twitter/

2.  Allow the application to have access to your facebook information

3.  Log into your Twitter account

4.  Start posting.  When you use this application it will post an update to your Twitter account.  If you post to Twitter it will show up in this application.  NOTE: your Twitter posts do not show up as a regular status update in Facebook.

 

HINT: To see and/or use your Twitter application within Facebook make it easily accessible through your applications. 

 

Here's how:

1.  Login to Facebook

2.  Click on Edit beside the Applications box on the right hand side

3.  Click on Edit Settings beside Twitter

4.  Click on the Bookmark Tab

5.  Check the box beside BookMark Twitter

6.  Click Okay

 

 

Coming up next: Tagging+RSS = Information Power