Abstract:

The Electronic Book Revolution has hit the American mainstream with the advent of the Apple Ipad, the Amazon Kindle, and the Barnes and Noble Nook, to name a few of the more popular e-readers of current times.  In fact, the Ebook revolution has hit such popularity that a Google search of the simple term, “Ebooks” brings about over 23 million hits.  The Ebook medium needs to be reviewed by librarians as one more available tool for its patrons just as it promotes the use of the internet and social networking tools.  This underlying nature of sharing, sharing books, thoughts, words on ‘paper’ through the Ebook format is one that is truly revolutionary.  It is through these ideas that makes the technology unique for libraries.  Librarians are champions of advocacy for libraries, the physical space, the print book, and they must also be advocates for the Ebook before someone else takes the reins.  The librarian must set the standard and the status quo with the publishing world in order to take the control back of the disbursement in their library. Considering Ebooks as complimentary rather than a struggle to the library and its services can only expand its popularity in the community because of its ability to bring books and literature together with our digital world.

For my portion of the project, I reviewed the young-adult department of the Chicago Public Library.   For teens, the YOUMedia project is definitely one of the most impressive of any YA program in the area.  I enjoyed researching the project and learning more about the program.  I was able to use the CPL website and even used the CPL Twitter site to find two interesting links about the YOUMedia project.  One of our members created a Google site for us to post our research, links, and videos and we were able to collaborate and help each other with ideas and suggestions.   We also used Twitter and email to send a quick note to our group members when we updated our portion of the Google site.

The toughest part of the project was working with a large group and trying to coordinate schedules.  The time given us in class was very helpful, in addition to being able to communicate with each other over the social networking tools.  The broad nature of the topic was also somewhat difficult to discuss because of its depth, despite our able to zero in on one library.   If I were to do this project again, I could probably do one presentation on just one user group for the Chicago Public Library.

Overall, a rewarding experience, and I feel we all worked hard to provide our classmates with useful and interesting information.

Social networking is an important part of the library communications with our patrons.  It allows us as librarians to use various online tools such as email, Facebook, Flickr, Twitter and instant messaging in order to virtually answer reference questions, share book reviews for reader’s advisory services, and even keep the local and larger communities connected to our library through discussions and photos.

Remember most, that the reputation of the library, its employees and the community it serves is foremost when posting to the web.

We advise all those working in our library to keep the following in mind when using our social networking tools for library purposes:

Communication

Our social networking tools are used in order to not only provide service, but to community and learn with our fellow librarians and industry professionals, our patrons, and the community around us.  We encourage everyone to seek out new uses of our tools, develop relationships through these tools and to learn more about the people we serve.

The social networking tools we use at our library are as typical as the majority norm of Facebook and Twitter and yet must remain fluid to keep up with the advances in social networking and technology.  If a social networking tool becomes obsolete or we find another tool more apparent that serves our needs and the patron’s needs, all efforts will be made to review the tool and test it in real use.

Respect

Please remember that even though we are online through social networking tools and our patrons or fellow employees don’t see us, we are still visible.  We must maintain professionalism and service through our choice of words and (for example, typing in all caps can often mean you are shouting to the other person), in addition to the actual answers and information we provide punctuation even though the tone of our communications can be more conversational.

When in doubt of whether or not the information you are posting or using, use the side of caution and save a draft.  Look at the information an hour later and if you still agree with the post, move forward.

Privacy

We also need to be aware that not all patrons want to share their information and may only provide a first name or just an email address, and that they are our patrons seeking our help.  We also need to be sure to get permission of patrons when posting photos, captions, names and other personal type of information.

In addition, we also need to be aware to not disclose any personal information about our coworkers or other sensitive library operations information that is not public knowledge, such as salaries or board member phone numbers.

For questions about or suggestions to these guidelines, please send them to the technology department.  The department also reviews our social networking sites regularly to ensure they adhere to these guidelines, maintain professionalism and legality.

The Bloomingdale Public Library can be found online at:
The library’s e-newsletter available on their website and through email subscription
The library’s reference blog available on their website
Facebook; Twitter; Flickr
There also appears to be a feed service on their home page through Feedburner, but when I try to subscribe, the link brings me back to the home page.
The library also has a YouTube channel, but it has not been updated in over 2 years!

What I find the library does well with these social media tools is through their website and Facebook page provide timely, thoughtful and thorough updates for its patrons with events and programs at the library as well as new books. However, the library is clearly lacking in utilizing these other tools which is has such as Twitter, Flickr and their YouTube channel. These tools I found to be present, but the updates and information provided in them lacking content or timeliness. By comparison, I also looked at the Roselle Public Library, as it provides direct competition because many of the towns’ residents are served by the same schools, entertainment and shopping venues.

This YouTube video demonstrates what the library has done, yet at 3 years old, is completely outdated. I searched for the “What We’re Reading” on the library website and had to go through a few pages before finding it. The library can utilize YouTube in such a way that would bring interesting content to its patrons and even those outside the area.  What concerned me even more is that the comments associated with this video were about a library in another state and yet could be very detrimental, with no comments from a librarian to discounter the statements.

Bloomingdale Public Library YouTube Sample

Again, with no current videos, other libraries such as the Roselle Public library do a much better job of providing book talks, and other interesting library stories. This sample from the Roselle Public Library’s channel shows a great example of how they are connecting with patrons and YouTube users. By creating a channel, the library has also connected with other area libraries like the Glen Ellyn Public Library.

Roselle Public Library on YouTube

By contrast, the Bloomingdale Public Library’s Facebook page is one that is frequently updated with notes, book reviews, photos and comments. This sample shows the activity of their page and how they’ve customized tabs to include their library catalogue search, a research tab to link patons to their databases, and photos of events. You’ll see in this image that they’ve asked the simple question of “what are you reading” with a post of what the librarians are reading, and users commenting.

Bloomingdale Public Library on Facebook

Other samples of the social networking tools used by the library are shown here:

Although the library is on Twitter-the posts are merely repeats of their Facebook page.  Their list of followers is small as is their list of who they follow.  By following other public libraries and library bloggers, the Bloomingdale Public Library would surely be able to increase the effectiveness of Twitter.

The Bloomingdale Public Library on Twitter

While again, the library is utilizing the Flickr tool to share photos, what is their purpose other than just posting photos of events?  Are they connecting with patrons who want to see the photos?  The lack of captions and descriptions make these photos less interesting and this tool less effective.

The Bloomingdale Public Library on Flickr

The Bloomingdale Public Library’s own tools on its website, its research blog and monthly newsletter are also great tools that both keep me updated on what is happening at the library.  The blog is updated about every week to every other week and it provides an interesting tidbit about the services offered that patrons may not have known.  The newsletter is also useful as it keeps patrons  up to date on the happenings and programs in a timely manner.

The overall brand of the library is mostly seen on its Twitter and Facebook pages in addition to the Library website and the actual facility.  An attractive logo, a tagline all with colors pleasing to the eye are displayed here most.  However, other than a logo, tagline and colors, the library brand through its use of all these social networking tools, is inconsistent.  There is no easily accessible knowledge of what the library stands for and what they hope to bring to patrons or accomplish through its programs.  There are no librarian names or photos attached to make me connect with the people behind the desk.  I’ve noticed that even through my frequent visits, I still feel like a stranger at the library, despite the comfortable atmosphere .  Connecting with its patrons through the social networking tools its setup can probably help patrons who feel the same way.

The library does have a very recent Long Range Plan posted to its home page.  However, without going to the website, I didn’t know this existed!  The social networking tools would be a perfect opportunity to embrace this plan and make it known.  I love my public library for all the reasons I want to be a librarian!  I’m glad to see this plan in place to improve upon its services.

Open Access Week seems to me to be a trend that has not been fully embraced by the academic community, but is it simply because of money? The perception often of open access means that the journal or publication is less worthy and the author then is less attributed, therefore the story or information less ‘researched’. However, I have to wonder if that is just a statement the publishers of paid subscription journals want us to believe so we keep purchasing their publications. First Monday is one journal that comes to mind that has intriguing articles and is true open access, one that I actually turn to for thorough stories on current trends.

Not all libraries, I believe utilize their Facebook presence in a way that makes them one of those indispensible to a person’s Facebook feed. For instance, I am a Fan of the Elmhurst Public Library, Gail Borden Public Library and the Bloomingdale Public Library, and I believe the Gail Borden and Elmhurst library utlizes their Facebook presense in such a better way by posting not only their Twitter or RSS feeds, but unique Facebook notes that make me want to keep reading and even visit their page. The Bloomingdale Public library on the other hand doesn’t seem to post more than Twitter or RSS feeds and I find I’m reading the same information over and over. One goal I hope these libraries strive for is to connect not only their patrons to the library, but the patrons to each other. I have yet to have that experience, but would love to connect with other readers at one my local libraries via Facebook!

LinkedIn was one site mentioned in the module, and I have been on this site for quite some time, but I am also careful to use it only for business or work purposes. I did unintentionally link my Facebook account and a potential employer saw a picture of me that I would not have posted on LinkedIn. I quickly removed the Facebook link and have since kept it still just professional. I don’t link my Twitter account or any other sites that are anything but work related. I do love LinkedIn, as in the business world, it is truly a great networking tool and was a way for me to get the word out when I was looking for a job. This was the social aspect that really worked for me. Yet, in transitioning into a new field, I have again found that librarians are not using it for professional opportunies or opportunites to connect with their patrons. While I’m a member of several library-related groups, they are not always active and so I lose interest.

I also found myself creating a Ning network for my sorority alumni group. This site is great for creating your own custom social network, it’s very easy to use, however, I found it was one more site I had to monitor, and the group’s members had to monitor. We found ourselves using both our Facebook group and this Ning group and it became redundant and eventually Ning was not useful to us anymore.

I am amazed at power and mass communication that has evolved with Facebook over the past several years. I was probably one of the first of my friends and family to embrace it because I was curious about the concept and thought I was too old for MySpace. The way that almost everyone I communicate with on a daily or weekly basis is now on Facebook is pretty incredible. When my mom joined, I thought yep, Facebook has hit the big time and is a tool that has become as commonplace as email.

So this brings me to my post title, “Is Social Networking Still Just Social?” I believe social networking is beyond any idea the general internet using public and the librarian community could have ever visualized. Social Networking is social as it connects us to the people in our lives and helps us meet new ones. However, the uses of sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn have become more than just social networks by connecting our lives in ways that go beyond just people.

I love this point from the article “The Visitors” because it makes me think of all the ways the library is and could be hyperlinked to its patrons: “The potential for the commons/community space in libraries to be many things–fun, playful, engaging, useful. A totally red romance room, games available to all, a chance to view local history and add to it are all part of the space.”  The article about the Unquiet Library was also interesting in that it talks about the positive effects of being “unquiet” in a library and how it fosters activity.  Activity in a library can mean so many things to different people, and in the library, activity can mean a group of men reading the newspapers, teenagers playing a game in the young adult area or families choosing DVDs to take home.  I find activity in the Rebecca Crown library to be engaging everytime I go inside and I am always looking around to see what people are doing.  While the activity is different than in a typical public library, the interaction between students and even those patrons looking for books or working on homework is interesting to me to see how the libraries resources are being used. However, I do believe this library has so much more potential than what it does utilize. I wish it was more like the media center at Creekview High! The space of the Rebecca Crown is beautiful, the circular design is intriguing, but I find the space to be somewhat uncomfortable at times because of that design, and the reference area in the lower level is just horrible! I find myself wandering through the stacks at times to just discover what the library has, because I don’t feel the library does a good job at promoting it throughout. This library has some incredibly interesting documents and archives, but does anyone really know just from the everyday use of doing homework? I wish I could view the Rebecca Crown library as the best classroom on campus, as those students and librarians at Creekview do their library, but there is much lacking to be able to do that.

I am reminded of a blog I subscribe to called, “Designing Better Libraries” which talks about not only the physical design, but also the design of its materials and use. There is a great article about the topic of “Experience Design” that I think you’ll enjoy. Hyperlinked libraries can certainly increase the effectiveness and enjoyment of the library because by the very concept create a unique and fun experience design, full of activity that everyone can utilize and love.

I had this difference in mind when I read the articles, and the one that stuck with me the most is the one titled, “How Millenials Sharing Habits Can Benefit Organizations” in the Harvard Business Review.  I could understand how these differences in generations was also permeating my life at home and at work.  The sharing aspect does appear in more ways than just sharing with Facebook friends and Twitter.  The life of the business world is no longer about personal growth and promotion, although those are still a strong goals, but more about the Team and what is good for the Team and how can I make the Team better.  This sharing aspect of collaborative projects and reviewing drafts while I believe is great for certain types of work, also takes out the individuality of the work.  No longer am I the author of a newsletter article, it’s the marketing department that wrote it because of the team meeting they had to brainstorm about the topic.  I am one of the narcissistic Gen X’rs that likes my name on the byline.

In libraries, however, I think this sharing aspect beautifully combines the best of what is needed in order for libraries to succeed.  Libraries are there to serve yes, the individual patron, but also the community of patrons.  The Team is essential in order for the library as a place to thrive because of the purpose it serves; learning, literacy, advocacy are goals that can start with the individual, but will essentially need a team or a group in order to truly be at its best.

Read “How Millenials Sharing Habits Can Benefit Organizations”